WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for the eighth episode of Pennyworth, "Alma Cogan," which aired Sunday on Epix.
Ever since its series premiere, Epix’s Batman prequel television series, Pennyworth has only offered very loose connections to the wider DC Universe. The series, which explores a young Alfred's days in 1960s London, has plunged viewers into a world of espionage and secret organizations. However, none of this has really anything to do with Batman. The only connections we have seen so far are through Bruce Wayne's future parents, Thomas Wayne and Martha Kane.
Throughout the series' first season, Alfred has interacted with both characters separately. He briefly worked with Thomas, then later took on Martha as a client. But since then, Thomas and Martha are the ones who have been spending the most time together, with Alfred off on his own. But now, finally, Pennyworth forges a bond between all three characters. And as a result, the series takes a big step in aligning itself with the comic book mythos.
Throughout Season 1, Pennyworth has primarily focused on the escalating confrontation between two secret organizations, the No Name League and the Raven Society, who are both battling for control of England. Not only did we learn that Martha and Thomas Wayne were American agents of the No Name League, the series also revealed that Thomas was actually a spy sent by the CIA.
Now, in "Alma Cogan," the leaders of the League and the Raven Society attempt to negotiate a truce. But while the Ravens have sent their own leadership to the meeting, the League instead opts to send Thomas and Martha as their representatives.
But the real problem comes with Alfred Pennyworth, who was only just arrested for murder. Despite his incarceration, Alfred is offered an opportunity: execute a mission on behalf of the dubious Prime Minister and he will earn a full pardon. Of course, Alfred doesn't hesitate to accept the mission which, as it turns out, is to assassinate the leaders of both the League and the Ravens during their upcoming meeting.
While holding a gun from afar, Alfred is shocked to see his former clients Thomas and Martha show up to the meeting on behalf of the League. Alfred is then faced with a choice: kill two people -- good people, that he knows -- and earn his freedom, or let them live and become a wanted man.
With only a few seconds to decide, Alfred opts to botch the assassination and ensure that Thomas and Martha make it out of the meeting alive. For the time being, the two characters don't even know the identity of the mysterious shooter who helped them escape, but it doesn't matter to us. We know that Alfred saved the lives of the duo, and we know that his action has forged a powerful bond between all three characters.
Now, as the episode comes to a close, Alfred is on the run from the authorities and there is nowhere for him to hide. While he means to get out of town, it's possible he may find refuge with the two people whose lives he just saved. He may be wanted in England, but perhaps they can take him home to Gotham, where he will have a chance at a new start.
Developed by former Gotham collaborators Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon, Pennyworthstars Jack Bannon as Alfred Pennyworth, Ben Aldridge as Thomas Wayne, Jason Flemyng as Lord Harwood, Paloma Faith as Bet Sykes, Ryan Fletcher as Dave Boy, Hainsley Lloyd Bennett as Bazza and Jessica Ellerby as the Queen. The series airs Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT on EPIX.