The Penguin Finale Recap: Man of the People

As a lifelong fan of Batman and his rogue gallery, I must say that “The Penguin” has been an absolute delight to watch. The show masterfully delves into the complex psyche of one of Gotham’s most iconic villains, providing a gripping origin story that resonates with modern audiences without losing touch with its comic book roots.

Don’t miss the chance to meet Gotham’s latest villain at the Vulture Festival, taking place on November 16 and 17 in Los Angeles. We’ll have an opportunity to chat with Cristin Milioti there!

The primary motivation for everything was the stunning penthouse view. Climbing, conquering, and enjoying the exclusive air of Gotham City’s Falcones, Bruce Wayne, Bella Reál, and every other elite, cop, or criminal—an ivory tower, as Matt Reeves, director of The Batman, described it in his interview with Andy Serkis for Interview magazine. He referred to Oz Cobb’s rise as a “dark American dream story.” In his youth, Oswald discerned the divide between the rich and poor, and he reacted accordingly with the ruthless sociopathy that the American dream can inspire—even going so far as to imprison his own brothers in a watery tomb. According to Reeves, “His life is one of rejection, and part of his ambition stems from seeking some acceptance.” In its concluding act, The Penguin serves as a reflection of Oz Cobb hidden within every American: a disheartened, deformed child with no viable future except the illusory path back to the warmth of the womb.

As a devoted fan, I must share my thoughts about the gripping finale of “The Penguin.” It opens with a flashback, triggered by Dr. Rush, where Francis finds herself revisiting the momentous decision to take the life of her youngest son, Rex Calabrese. This is quite the twist, as Rex, who inspired Oz’s entire populist image and work ethic, was the one suggesting Oz be ‘taken care of,’ and even offered to pull the trigger himself.

When Oz wakes up in Monroe’s rundown place, he finds himself tied to a chair at the center of what seems like both a kangaroo court and family therapy session run by Sofia. It’s a mix of muffled screams and ominous threats from Oz. In episode seven, as Gavia Baker-Whitelaw noted last week, Sofia’s “Gigante transformation” is marked by a sudden burst of color: a red flash beneath the collar of her coat during the bomb sequence. Costume designer Helen Huang explains that this vibrant hue foreshadows the intense drama of the finale, where Sofia and Oz will encounter higher stakes than ever before. Indeed, Sofia dominates the room like a comic book supervillain in a ’70s crime thriller, wearing her red scarf and black dress. She tells a chilling tale about a baby bird pushing its sibling out of the nest, only to be rewarded with more food from their mother. Sofia challenges Oz, asking if he believes the mother bird knew what her baby bird did. However, Francis interrupts, revealing his knowledge of Oz’s actions towards Jack and Benny: “I know what you did to Jack and Benny! I’ve always known.

Sofia has long been aware of the secret actions of little Oz concerning Jack and Benny, a truth that Francis already knows. In the end, she reveals this painful truth: “You’ve always been a disappointment. You’re a waste of space. I can’t help but feel sick every day for being your mother.” As if continuing the hurt she began years ago with Rex, she grabs the nearest bottle and stabs it into Oz’s stomach, before collapsing unconscious. Her children will remain unavenged, as Oz, still holding his mother, manages to free himself from his chair and shoot his way out of the place, the revelation leaving him shaken and propelling him further along the path towards becoming Gotham’s redefined costumed psychopathic overlord.

In a hospital, Victor encounters Oz, who’s there with Francis, delivering grim news as Oz tends to his wounds in a supply room. Meanwhile, Zhao and their alliance are withdrawing. Victor attempts to rally them using an emotional, people-focused speech from Oz, but they remain unconvinced about risking more for the Penguin when their only concern is the product. On the brink of surrender, Victor reminds Oz of the influence he gained by providing jobs and restoring power in Crown Point – a feat greater than any fictional drug operation of the moment. Simultaneously, Sofia unwittingly lays her own trap by proposing her entire operation to whichever triad or gang member brings them Oz first. Recognizing his lack of recognition from his superior and other crime leaders, Zhao’s right-hand man, Link, contacts Victor to warn Oz about potential danger while Oz focuses on addressing every vulnerability, particularly at City Hall.

Councilman Hady is urged by the mayor to provide explanations regarding the explosion in Crown Point, a situation which Oz exploits with relish, presenting a manipulative scenario: Sofia Falcone detonated explosives in the tunnels as part of her drug war with Salvatore Maroni. This conflict, as Oz implies, has led to various atrocities such as Sofia’s brother’s murder, Sal’s wife and son being burned alive, and the destruction of Sal’s business operations. The implication is that Sebastian Hady can be hailed as a hero by ending this long-standing drug war in Gotham.

This corrupt councilman is stuck with an offer he can’t refuse. With a convincing story prepared for the press and help from the institution in spreading that story, it’s time for the decisive confrontation between him and Sofia. Throughout this season, it has been fascinating to watch these two complex characters fight for the top position. However, given the show’s title, we know who will emerge victorious in the end. The excitement of victory for Oz and the sorrow of defeat for Sofia is palpable at the airport, making for an electrifying climax. This scene is a testament to the outstanding performances by our lead actors. Among many DC villain collaborations and clashes, it’s difficult to think of one as effectively portrayed as this one by Farrell and Cristin Milioti.

The key to Oz’s success is simple, as he explains to Sofia, driving her to what she thinks is her place of execution: Link was tired of being underestimated. And he wasn’t the only one. Every one of the gangs had a first mate that ended up turning on their boss to rid themself of the boot on their neck — the very waters the Penguin swam in long enough to know how to rule them. The montage of each literal deputy of each gang’s boss feels like a bit of a rush job that accidentally flattens the narrative a bit here, but the bigger point is well taken: There’s no army more powerful than the army of the overlooked.

In Sofia’s opinion, Oswald Cobb is a man who truly connects with the people, and that sentiment rings true. Despite the complete degeneration of memories from his past that fueled his gangster populism, Oz remains steadfast in his aspirations, even intensifying them fervently. Meanwhile, Sofia finds herself facing a grim fate worse than death: arrest and return to Arkham Asylum under the Penguin’s chains. This turn of events is a tough pill to swallow for fans who have been moved by Milioti’s captivating portrayal of Sofia’s tragic journey on the show. However, a letter from her half-sister Selina Kyle hints at more storylines involving Sofia Gigante in future installments of the Batman Epic Crime Saga. The critical and commercial success of The Penguin has sparked changes within the DC franchise, potentially leading to more character-driven stories focusing on Batman’s Rogues Gallery. There’s speculation that Sofia’s growing popularity among viewers could lead to her own series or a role in The Batman Part II, but regardless of how the crime saga unfolds, we can be certain that Sofia will rise again and conquer whatever challenges lie ahead.

During this period, victory turns out to be a harsh, ironic companion for Oz Cobb. Upon coming back to the hospital after celebrating the birth of his new empire with some whiskey, he finds his mother catatonic due to a stroke. He had managed to color his town with the hues of his mother’s fervent aspirations, but there would be no joyful acknowledgment of pride from her, only her final words filled with hate echoing in his ears. “Family,” Oz explains to Victor on a freezing river bank, “is both a source of strength and a cause of weakness.” Indeed, in a sudden yet logical conclusion to their brotherhood, Oz chokes Victor Aguilar to death, discards his ID into the river, and lets an unidentified passerby find the lifeless body. This murder was as swift and unceremonious as the hubcap-jacking that initially brought together the two men, offering them a chance to forge a genuine bond amidst their shattered lives. By taking Victor’s life, Oz sheds all meaningful ties to his past, paving the way for his lonely rise to power in Gotham City.

Only not quite. Francis Cobb is still breathing and still unable to move or speak. And soon she’ll be tucked away in an ivory tower with an immaculate, ceaseless view of the city — perhaps the cruelest of all fates at the end of The Penguin. On the next floor down, Oz is all spruced up in a penguin suit, dancing with Eve, who’s dressed as Francis, and repeating the lines Oz quietly demands of her. “You did it. I knew you would, my beautiful boy. Gotham’s yours, sweetheart. Nothing’s standing in your way now.” A bat signal appears in the night sky, signifying that future battles with greater enemies lie ahead for every major player in the Gotham underworld.

Inquiring about the whereabouts of the old Caped Crusader, one might wonder why he’s absent during this city-wide gang war and other unusual occurrences in Gotham. It’s hard to imagine that Batman, known for his immediate action when it comes to criminal activities, would ignore these events entirely. The absence of both Robert Pattinson and Batman from the series initially raised questions about internal logic, as the show seems to avoid any mention or allusion to the Bat until his signal appears. However, the storyline centered around The Penguin has proven to be one of the best shows this year, skillfully telling a Gotham tale without the presence of Batman. In essence, Oswald Cobblepot, like other members of Batman’s Rogues Gallery, embodies a caricature of his own traumatic past, drawn to criminal activities as a means of seeking false liberation in this adaptation that remains faithful to the original material’s exaggerated reality.

2024-11-11 07:55

The Penguin Finale Recap: Man of the People

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