'Pennyworth' hints Ben Aldridge's Thomas Wayne was probably a crime-fighter before moving on to quiet life as a surgeon
'Pennyworth' has already introduced us to a Thomas Wayne (Ben Aldridge) in a way we never expected him. We know him so far as Bruce Wayne, aka Batman's father, a well-known surgeon, philanthropist, and CEO of Wayne Enterprises.
Thomas Wayne has had different versions. There are storylines where it is seen that he studied to become a surgeon. He worked at Gotham General, and because of his wealth, he worked there for free providing treatment for those who couldn't afford it.
However, we see a rather different Thomas in 'Pennyworth'. For starters, the first question is what was he doing in Britain? Plus, he's shown to have an office, leading us to speculate that this was probably before he goes on to become a surgeon, or if EPIX decides to show him as one.
The pilot episode sees Alfred (Jack Bannon) take Thomas hostage after the villainous Bet Sykes (Paloma Faith), kidnaps Alfred's girlfriend, Esme (Emma Corin). In one of the sequences, Thomas successfully deduces Sykes ill-intentions and informs Alfred of the same. A theory that proves right and helps Alfred gain the upper hand over Sykes.
The character of Thomas in the series is shown as someone who is more of a detective as he reveals that he's investigating financial foul play in the country. This probably means that Thomas is much more than a surgeon. This was a man who eventually hires Alfred to oversee the Wayne Manor, but it's already established from the movies that the butler is more than just a guy who keeps the house in order.
Talking about his character, Aldridge, in an interview with CBR, said he had looked at all of the visual depictions that exist of Thomas Wayne in the films.
"There wasn't a huge amount to go off there. But there's a sense of him throughout the films and in the comic books, in terms of what Alfred Pennyworth tells Bruce when he's growing up, is that his dad was very moral and he's obviously a philanthropic upstanding citizen of Gotham," he added.
This could mean that Thomas would probably have had a crime-fighting life before he's given it all up to retire to a more peaceful life. Alfred wasn't wrong in telling a young Bruce about the moral vein that his father possessed.
Will we see Wayne Sr. team up with Alfred to bust the nefarious Raven Society? Only time will tell. Guess we'll know more of Thomas Wayne's as the season progresses.
'Pennyworth' airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on EPIX.
