Ranking all 8 episodes of The Penguin from worst to best

As a hardened detective with decades of experience in the gritty underbelly of Gotham City, I can confidently say that ‘The Penguin’ has left quite an impression on me. This series took us on a twisted and compelling journey through the darkest corners of the city’s criminal underworld, all while offering a unique perspective on some of its most notorious figures.

The realm of DC is resurfacing with series such as “The Penguin“, a spin-off derived from the 2022 movie “The Batman“, focusing on the infamous antagonist portrayed by Colin Farrell. This production did not fall short of expectations.

We get a look at the rise of Ozwald Cobb, who ends the show as the crime kingpin known as the Penguin. It isn’t easy taking over the gangs of Gotham City. Oz goes through some difficult and dangerous moments as he gets himself in and out of close shaves. It’s been a fun ride seeing him get out of sticky situations, especially with chrismatic rivals like Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) pushing back on him.

With the finale of The Penguin having come and gone (and perhaps a possible comeback on the horizon), let’s take this opportunity to rate the eight episodes from least favorite to most impressive!

8. Episode 3, “Bliss”

In this installment, the narrative might have been more impactful if they had taken more time to delve deeper into Vic (Rhenzy Feliz), the young orphan who serves as a sort of second-in-command to Oz. A pivotal moment occurs when he experiences a PTSD episode while distributing drugs for Oz in a nightclub, which could have posed a significant threat to Oz’s plans to seize control of Gotham. However, this critical incident is resolved swiftly and without consequence, never to be mentioned again within the storyline.

In the narrative of “Bliss,” where Oz and Sofia were attempting to peddle an innovative drug, I found the plotline somewhat predictable. I yearned for more scenes showcasing their collaboration instead. Despite harboring mutual distrust, they relied on each other significantly. They capitalized on each other’s abilities skillfully. This installment provided us with a glimpse of this dynamic, but it concluded rather abruptly and swiftly, leaving me wanting more.

7. Episode 5, “Homecoming”

In my latest critique, I found myself delving into the backstory of Sofia in the previous installment, but now, we’re squarely back in the present with “Homecoming.” This time around, Sofia seizes control of the Falcone crime family, vowing to shield and compensate those who were routinely overlooked by her predecessors. The episode offers a glimpse into Sofia’s compassionate side, as well as her thirst for retribution.

In this episode, there are some charming scenes. The interactions between Vic and Oz’s mom, Francis (played by Deirdre O’Connell), were particularly touching and heartfelt. It seemed to me that Francis could understand Vic deeply, and he was skilled at supporting her as she progressed deeper into dementia.

Moving past the midpoint of the season, this episode hints at many upcoming events. While it is skillfully written, it carries a heavy load of establishing plot points for the second half of the season, which somewhat reduces its immediate impact compared to other episodes.

6. Episode 2, “Inside Man”

In this captivating episode, I found myself witnessing Oz’s quick-witted thinking. He discerned the crucial steps required to seize power within the city, which led him to form an alliance with Sofia. However, the challenge lies in overcoming her distrust. I must devise a strategy to assure her that I am not a spy or an undercover agent, but a genuine ally who shares her vision for the city.

This episode contains several instances where Sofia demonstrates she’s more than just a beautiful woman. We also catch glimpses of her past through subtle hints, suggesting a complex backstory for Sofia. At one time, Carmine, her father, considered her as the one to inherit and run the family business, and it’s clear why he thought so.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but admire the narrative twist where our protagonist, Vic, grapples with the dilemma of collaborating with Oz. This internal struggle sets the stage for his character development in “Bliss,” when he encounters an opportunity to escape with a childhood friend. In retrospect, it seems like he missed out on a chance to flee while he had it!

5. Episode 1, “After Hours”

The first episode introduces us to the beginning of Oz’s tale, revealing his adversaries and hinting at the strategic maneuvering he’ll need to execute if he aspires to seize power. It’s evident from the start that his journey won’t be an effortless one.

In this riveting episode, I found myself thrust into an unexpected whirlwind as Oz, in a flashpoint of rage, takes down his superior, Alberto Falcone. This act provides a chilling glimpse into the mind of a man who, while seemingly composed and in control, is capable of making hasty, life-altering decisions. From the get-go, I was gripped by the enigma that surrounds Oz, eager to unravel the intricate web of challenges he faces, some self-inflicted, others lurking around the corner.

The pilot episode was captivating enough to hold our interest and prevent distractions, making it difficult for me to check my phone during the show. This opening installment had an engaging quality that kept me hooked.

4. Episode 6, “Gold Summit”

The special interactions between Vic and Francis during this episode are a significant reason for its high ranking. It was heartwarming to witness the depth of Vic’s affection for Francis, as he seemed to grasp her in a way that no one else did. Despite Oz interrupting and escalating the situation, Vic managed to find a way to soothe her. I found myself longing for an entire hour dedicated to Vic and Francis simply conversing.

In this significant installment, Vic took a major step into the underworld of crime. Marking his first murder, it served as a poignant reminder that despite this, he doesn’t truly embrace this lifestyle, at least not all the time. It’s survival now, and we catch a glimpse of the boy he still is within. Although I had hoped for more exploration of his PTSD, which was hinted in Episode 3, we did get a hint of his complex emotions as “Gold Summit” concluded.

It’s a pity there wasn’t a bit more of Sofia’s character in this episode. The dinner scene between Sal (Clancy Brown) and Sofia was exceptionally well-executed. They each provided what the other seemed to be lacking, and I found myself yearning for additional scenes showcasing their unique surrogate father-daughter relationship.

3. Episode 7, “Top Hat”

In the second-to-last episode of the series, the storyline opens with a shocking revelation. We’d suspected Oz played a role in his brothers’ demise, but the grim scene that unfolded took us by surprise. It’s not hard to imagine this boy who allowed his brothers to drown becoming the man we now recognize.

In this episode, there are references to previous events and a nudge towards unresolved matters. Personally, I found it impactful when Sal suddenly fell due to a stroke while battling Oz – some might call it plot contrivance, but to me, it seemed authentic. At times, a seemingly ordinary death can bring a sense of normalcy amidst a series filled with so much violence. It’s somewhat like experiencing a natural death in a show centered around the supernatural.

In this thrilling episode, I found myself utterly engrossed as Sofia paid a visit to her niece, Gia (Kenzie Grey), who might have witnessed an event the night Sofia allegedly took the lives of her family. The question lingered: How far would Sofia go to ensure that Gia didn’t jeopardize her own position? This episode provided a glimpse into the remnants of Sofia’s humanity, a side we desperately needed to reaffirm its existence.

2. Episode 4, “Cent’Anni”

Spending a complete hour delving into Sofia’s story provided us with the clarity we lacked about her. Prior to this, she was infamously known as “The Hangman,” a notorious serial killer. However, it turned out that her reputation was unwarranted. Her own family falsely accused her, leading to her imprisonment in an asylum.

It’s no wonder that Sofia turned out to be so complex, given her upbringing and experiences. The discussion about nature versus nurture is always ongoing, but in Sofia’s situation, it was clearly the influence of her environment that shaped her. As she struggled to claim the Falcone empire, the people around her and the hardships she faced significantly impacted who she became. The dedicated hour spent on her story allowed us to truly understand and empathize with her.

This episode significantly enhanced the authenticity of Sofia’s transformation. It also deepened the credibility of her affection for her late brother Alberto, who was her sole supporter during her time at Arkham. Additionally, I always enjoy seeing more of actor Michael Zegen in my viewing experience.

1. Episode 8, “A Great or Little Thing”

This episode was packed with events, yet it never felt rushed or overwhelming. A multitude of aspects were addressed as we witnessed Oz seizing control over Gotham. Throughout, there remained a lingering curiosity about how he’d navigate around Sofia. However, he skillfully handled the situation by appealing to the neglected lower ranks in every Gotham gang.

This episode revealed Oz’s genuine character in full, as it seemed throughout the season that he deeply cherished his mother and she was his greatest source of affection. However, it was unveiled that he didn’t love her at all; rather, he required her to depend on and desire him. His narcissism hindered him from truly loving her, leading him to keep her imprisoned in her own deteriorating body against her wish for a peaceful passing. It was equally sorrowful to witness his cruel treatment of Vic, who merely sought to be part of Oz’s family circle.

The ending with Sofia offered me some hope and excitement for a continuation to her story. It’s not over for her, and I’m willing to watch a Selina Kyle series if it means more Sofia.

This episode concluded all the storylines neatly, offering a compelling setup for potential sequels like “The Batman: Part II” and perhaps another season of “The Penguin”. Regardless of future developments, this series was certainly an enjoyable watch in its entirety.

2024-11-11 07:42