With a week having passed since Boston Comic Con took over the Seaport World Trade Center, out-of-town guests have long returned home, celebrities have long-resumed their work, or vacation, or whatever.
But that passing of time also means it's one week closer to the premiere of season 2 of Gotham, Fox's hit show about DC Comics' legendary city before it had the protection of the legendary hero we call Batman.
And breakout star of the show, Robin Lord Taylor who won over fans and critics for being the evil villain-on-the-rise, Oswald Cobblepot (a.k.a. Penguin).
At Comic Con, Taylor gave fans something to tide them over while they wait. He talked about how he came into the role, life on the show, and how the show has changed things for him.
If you missed it, here is a recap of his delightful Q&A.
Taylor charmingly came into the room pretending to be bashful about the applause, then said "wicked pissah" in a Boston accent, and later gave a shout out about the fact that Boston Comic Con was the first convention he's been to that served beer, so "Boston wins."
He also had a lot of great things to say.
On how he got into acting...
Taylor explained that he grew up in a small, Friday Night Lights-like sports town, which did not suit him well.
"I spent time trying to hide myself and not get beat up or bullied," said Taylor. "When I discovered theatre, it was the first time I could be myself... through the process of playing a character, I could be myself, if that makes sense."
His first play was in junior high school and he thought it was amazing, but didn't immediately consider acting as a career. But then he got into Northwestern University and declared theater as his major since it was the only thing he knew he loved. He wasn't sure if he could hold his own amid more experienced peers, but his teachers encouraged him and gave him great feedback.
On if there's certain types of roles that interest him...
He said they did all different genres at school. When he later moved to New York for his career he was willing to do anything, but found himself playing a lot of villains, even though he himself is "the least confrontational person."
On auditioning for a role on Breaking Bad (creepy Todd)...
He said that he did his audition tape, doubted it would ever be seen, but the next thing he knew he was told it was between him and one other person. At that point, he really wanted it. It went to Jesse Plemons instead, but Taylor doesn't mind since he thinks Jesse is amazing.
"The worst thing is to lose to someone who sucks," joked Taylor. "But it put me on the radar for casting directors of Breaking Bad who were then casting directors of the Walking Dead (which he had a role in) and ultimately Gotham."
Here, he said casting directors are unsung heroes because they remember nobody actors like him and put them in roles so that it's surprising.
On Cobblepot...
"He acts out of self-preservation... he's a master chess player... I hooked into that, I understood where he was coming from," said Taylor, comparing Cobblepot's struggles to his own.
On where Cobblepot stands at the end of season 1...
"He has no respect for human life... he's killed 22 some people," said Taylor. "But because you understand where it's coming from, I think he's a sympathetic villain."
Taylor said he's glad to be playing someone who doesn't do things randomly for no reason.
"Gotham is about how the city forms the people, everyone is responding to everyone else and everyone wants the key to the city... Oswald's never controlled anything in his life so this is his chance...
On how he avoids making the character too cartoon-ish...
He credits the writing and the fact that there is a great open line of communication between the cast and creators, which helps them figure out the characters "and find the reality in situations."
"If feels like a great collaboration, which is an actor's dream," said Taylor.
On if life is different since he got the part...
He said one of the most difficult adjustments was becoming a brunette from his natural blonde state. He also said that his life is divided between people who knew him before and after Gotham and the people from before joke about how "messed up" he looks, but both them and him think it's cool.
On getting the part...
"When the casting announcement was made, I got some flack on Twitter, people were like this guy can't be the Penguin, Penguin is supposed to be fat... this guy is too skinny... too good looking," said Taylor. "I was like, if that's the worst it gets, I'll be fine."
He then added that it's amazing to see how much influence he has by being on the show and he's thankful for all the love from fans.
On how he balances past versions of the character with making it his own...
He's aware of the expectations and thinks it's tough following past actors such as Danny DeVito but said, "I'm playing this iconic character but we're showing parts of him that have never been shown... so it's open to my interpretation and the writers."
He said the process has been really organic and fun, and creator Bruno Heller has told him to just let the character run over the top.
On the highlights and challenges of the show...
He said it's hard saying goodbye to actors he had a hand in "killing" but he also thinks that's good because "when reality coincides with the screen it creates these charged moments.... saying goodbye hurts but the pain informs the scene, which makes it charged, makes it real."
On his hopes for the show's lifespan "given Fox's notoriety for cancelling shows"...
He noted that Warner Brothers is the producer and Fox just buys the rights to air it, which gives them confidence. In addition, the show has taken off across the world and today it's not just about the ratings on Monday night, but also about how it's doing elsewhere.
"It's remarkable, we're not a one market world anymore," said Taylor.
On his favorite scene to prepare for...SPOILER ALERT
"The demise of Fish Mooney," said Taylor. "It's an amazing scene and such a huge moment for Oswald, it's the first time he really got to have a fight scene and it was with Jada Pinkett Smith — she kicks butt in everything. The whole show has been stepping outside myself like 'who are you, what's happening.'"
He added that in the scene where Cobblepot is screaming that he's the king of Gotham, he was screaming at the Empire State building and since New York is where he cut his teeth in acting, he really felt the same way as Oswald.
"Oswald Cobblepot and Robin Taylor had a moment together there."
On if Arkham secrets will be revealed next season...
He said they've built the set so it's definitely going to be predominately featured.
"It's the worst run hospital/prison ever," he joked. "People are always coming and going, and we all go through there at one point, even Jim [Gordon]. So it's definitely going to be majorly featured."
Other tidbits...
-His dream role would be as Richard III in the Shakespeare play.
-Tim Burton's Batman was the first film he ever saw in a theater and it's "a big part" of his life.
Robin Lord Taylor will return to our screens when Gotham continues Sept. 21
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