In the final episode of The Penguin, the titular villain, Oz Cobblepot, makes his ruthless climb to the top of Gotham’s criminal underworld. The episode reveals the cold, calculating nature of Oz, who is prepared to sacrifice anyone, even his own family, to secure his position. Despite being manipulated by Sofia Gigante, Oz refuses to confess his darkest secrets, including the murders of his brothers. This sets the stage for a tragic, psychological battle where Oz’s ambitions take precedence over any emotional attachments.
Sofia uses Oz’s mother, Francis, to try and break him emotionally. She threatens to harm Francis, hoping to push Oz into admitting his past crimes, including the murders of his brothers. However, Oz refuses to buckle under pressure, showing just how far he is willing to go for his reputation. In a shocking twist, it is revealed that Francis knew about Oz’s crimes all along and even considered having him killed. This realization deepens the tragedy of Oz’s life, as he remains disconnected from those who care for him.
Colin Farrell as Penguin (Photo: The Penguin/HBO)Oz’s Brutal Escape and Mother’s Disdain
After Francis stabs him in a desperate attempt to end the confrontation, Oz manages to escape, carrying her to safety despite the wound. However, his victory feels hollow. The gangs that had once supported him begin to side with Sofia, leaving Oz feeling utterly defeated. Worse yet, he finally realizes that his mother despises him, further fueling his emotional detachment. Despite this, his protégé, Victor, reminds him of his significant power among Gotham’s lesser crime families, offering Oz a chance for redemption through revenge.
Oz, understanding the discontent among the second-in-commands of rival gangs, orchestrates a coup to eliminate their bosses. This marks a pivotal moment in his ascent to power, as he recruits disgruntled underlings to slaughter their superiors and reshape Gotham’s criminal structure. Meanwhile, Oz strikes a deal with Councilman Hady, offering Sofia as a scapegoat for the violence that has plagued the city. Hady, equally corrupt, agrees to the plan, and Sofia is sent to prison, clearing the way for Oz to rule.
Colin Farrell as Penguin (Photo: The Penguin/HBO)Brutal Final Acts and the Shattering of Alliances
In a shocking final act, Oz kills his young protege, Victor, as the two reflect on their victory. Victor had trusted Oz and viewed him as family, but Oz’s cold-hearted decision to murder him reveals his true nature. He views any emotional attachment as a weakness, particularly the bond with someone like Victor. For Oz, being at the top of Gotham’s criminal world requires ruthless pragmatism. Victor’s death exemplifies Oz’s willingness to sever any ties that might hinder his power Penguin’s End: Power, Isolation, and Gotham’s Future
The series concludes with Oz achieving the ultimate position of power, surrounded by wealth and luxury, but emotionally isolated. His mother, who now cannot speak due to a stroke, is trapped in a cage-like existence, a mere pet in his life. Meanwhile, Oz continues his relationship with Eve, a woman who roleplays as his mother to satisfy his psychological needs.
The series ends with the Bat Signal lighting up Gotham’s sky, signaling that Batman is finally ready to confront Oz and end his reign of terror. With this cliffhanger, viewers are left eager for the inevitable showdown between the Penguin and Gotham’s Dark Knight.
While there are no official plans for a second season of The Penguin, the character will return in The Batman Part 2. Matt Reeves, the director of The Batman, has expressed interest in exploring more Gotham villains, possibly leading to additional spin-off series.
Oz Cobblepot’s journey could continue to unfold within this expanded universe, or other iconic characters like Scarecrow, Two-Face, or Joker may be the next to take center stage. For now, the enigmatic world of Gotham remains ripe for further exploration, with Oz’s story acting as a dark prologue to the battles that lie ahead.
