Review: The Penguin delivers huge twists and turns in Episode 8, “A Great or Little Thing”

As a seasoned fan of the Dark Knight, I must say that the finale of “The Penguin” left me utterly captivated and longing for more tales from this gripping DC universe. The series has been a masterful exploration of one of Gotham’s most intriguing characters, Oswald Cobblepot, and it truly delivered an exceptional conclusion that will leave viewers yearning for more.

In the final episode of “The Penguin” series, we weren’t left feeling let down, but there were certainly unexpected plot developments. So, what becomes of Oswald Cobblepot’s tale in the end?

Caution: This post contains SPOILERS for The Penguin Episode 8

Initially, the episode transports us to a time gone by. In this instance, we witness the repercussions of Oz’s brothers’ demise, as experienced through Francis’ perspective. It is revealed that she had all the pieces of the puzzle. She uncovered proof that Oz was with his brothers and intentionally trapped them in a tunnel on the fateful night they drowned.

It appears she opted to disregard the situation initially because it was revealed she had planned for Oz to be eliminated. But ultimately, her maternal feelings prevailed, leading her to let Oz stay with her, eventually transforming him into the person he is today.

The Penguin Episode 8 review: Secrets and lies all come out

Today, Vic arrives at the site of the blast. The assorted gangs are departing, and while Vic delivers an eloquent speech, it fails to hold them back. They’re primarily drawn to power and wealth, so it’s no shock that they move towards Sofia instead.

In the episode, Sofia initially teases Oz. She guides him to the remnants of the theater where once Oz and Francis danced, and warns Oz that she intends to retaliate against Francis by cutting off one of his fingers, in response to Francis chopping off Alberto’s finger earlier. To avert this impending threat, Sofia demands that Oz discloses the truth about what transpired with his brothers.

Could it be that Oz doubts if he truly wasn’t responsible for the deaths of his brothers, given that skilled liars often come to believe their fabrications? It’s a strategy they use to maintain consistency in their stories. Since we know Oz exhibits narcissistic and antisocial traits, might he genuinely believe he was not involved in his brothers’ demise, or is it just that he excels at separating different aspects of his life? Is there a distinction between the two?

He simply doesn’t seem to care at all. Not enough to stop his mother’s finger from being cut off, which is evident only when Francis angrily tells him she’s always despised him. It’s then that Sofia, realizing how self-centered Oz is, decides it’s not worth saving the finger. In the end, Francis manages to express all her pent-up feelings, and these are the final words Oz will ever hear from her, as she spares no harshness in her words. I can see why Francis needed to say everything, and this is the last thing Oz will recall about Sofia.

Regrettably, things take a turn for the worse for Francis. She suffers a stroke, and the traumatic events Sofia has seen leave her incapable of stopping Oz from freeing himself from his constraints. Eventually, Oz is able to extract Francis from the situation.

Oz finally takes over the empire

In a quick-witted manner, Oz is brainstorming solutions. Following his mother’s hospitalization, he and Vic are tasked with rebuilding trust among the gangs. However, complicating matters is the fact that the leaders of all the gangs have aligned themselves with Sofia, who has pledged her father’s empire to them as long as they maintain control, at Oz’s expense.

It’s no wonder that the Triad exploits opportunities fully. Link decides to contact Vic to entice Oz into a snare. Upon their rendezvous at the hangar, I observed that while Oz was under the threat of a gun, Vic appeared unthreatened. It became evident that a larger scheme was unfolding, so it wasn’t unexpected when Link and his crew assassinated Feng and seized control.

Oz has a deep understanding of the resilience and determination displayed by those who have faced oppression. He is familiar with the struggles of individuals repeatedly marginalized. This was his character. When those at the bottom endure enough mistreatment, they retaliate. Consequently, we witness a significant transformation within the gangs of Gotham. At Oz’s instigation, the junior members overthrow their leaders and seize control.

In simpler terms, Oz gets another chance and finds allies ready to collaborate. These individuals are attracted by the rewards Oz offers, provided they remain faithful. They’ve witnessed others receiving these payoffs.

To completely seize control of the empire, Oz must confront Sofia first. For this, he collaborates with the councilman who restored power at Crown Point in the previous episode. Oz sets up her arrest, sending Sofia back to Arkham Asylum. It’s reassuring to see that Sofia’s story isn’t finished yet; she’s a fascinating character that we want to explore further. Even though The Penguin is a limited series, there are hints of how Sofia’s tale may develop next. In Arkham, Sofia receives a letter from someone claiming to be her half-sister, Selina Kyle. Given that Selina is Catwoman, this suggests we might see more of Catwoman in The Batman: Part II. Will Sofia also appear in it? Or could we get a limited series showcasing the partnership between Selina and Sofia instead?

Oz cannot have people he cares about

Reflecting on the poignant scene from the final episode of “The Penguin” series, I found myself deeply moved when Oz and Vic sat by the river, their conversation heavy with emotion. After learning that his mother was left in a state where she could neither move nor speak due to a massive stroke, effectively living with locked-in syndrome, it was heartbreaking to see her presence yet incapable of communication.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself deeply invested in being present for Oz. I express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity he’s given me, but then, perhaps unwittingly, I utter phrases that seem to have unfortunate consequences. In those moments, I can’t help but consider Oz not just as a mentor or colleague, but as someone I hold dear and close – like family.

Through this harrowing experience, I’ve come to realize that I must safeguard the connections I cherish in life. Witnessing how Oz exploits family and love to manipulate others has made me determined not to let them be used against me. The heart-wrenching moment when Oz takes Vic’s life with his own hands is a sobering reminder of this truth.

This is where Oz transitions into being The Penguin for me. He found himself developing strong familial feelings towards Vic, whether as a son or a younger sibling. To prevent these emotions from dominating, he decided it was necessary to distance himself.

There is only one person he will keep in his life, and that’s his mom. He finally gets that penthouse and he has a room with a window for Francis to look out at to see the whole of Gotham. This isn’t what Francis wants, though. The tear that runs down her face makes it clear that she just wants to die. She wants to join her boys.

It seems odd that Oz would keep his mom with him if he truly loves her, as it appears to be more of a self-serving act rather than an expression of affection. Perhaps he’s keeping her close to get some form of redemption, maybe to overcome the hurt she inflicted on him when she expressed her hate in her final words. Alternatively, he might hold onto hope that she may say something positive or loving towards him at some point in the future. However, this behavior doesn’t align with the conventional understanding of love.

Regarding Oz, he relies on Eve to convey messages that were typically shared by his mother. He persuades Eve to impersonate Francis, recalling the evening at Monroe’s where Francis had planned to harm a young Oz.

After all the lengths Eve went to deliver Sofia to Oz’s doorstep, I find it astonishing that he didn’t seize this opportunity to eliminate her. It seems as though he harbors no affection for her; it was never there. Their relationship was purely transactional, a means to an end – in this instance, gaining his mother’s approval and love. Contrastingly, we witness Oz forming a bond with Vic that surpasses the detached dynamic he shared with Eve, who wisely maintained a safe distance from him.

In simpler terms, I’d like to point out that Carmen Ejogo effectively captured many of Monroe’s mannerisms in her portrayal of a scene, making it seem as if it were actually Francis speaking. This is convincing and understandable why Oz found it sufficient for the given situation.

In summary, the final episode of “The Penguin” delivered the suspense, plot twists, and unexpected moments required to conclude the series. It leaves me eager for additional stories within the DC universe.

Episode grade: A+

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2024-11-11 06:42