The Penguin series premiere review, “After Hours”: Oz proves he’s a step ahead

As a gamer who’s spent countless hours navigating the treacherous waters of Gotham City, let me tell you, Oswald Cobb is no fish out of water. The premiere episode of The Penguin showcases that while he may stumble occasionally, this bird always flies high above his foes.

Don’t undervalue Oswald Cobb from our new series, “The Penguin”. The series debut demonstrates that although he may stumble, he consistently outsmarts everyone around him.

Caution: This post contains SPOILERS for The Penguin season 1, episode 1.

In a different take, let me rephrase for you: Originally introduced in the 2022 film “The Batman,” Penguin serves as a supporting character alongside Oz. However, if you haven’t watched this movie yet, don’t fret about it excessively. While I had seen the movie when it was initially released, my memory of its specifics isn’t perfect. Nonetheless, the series effectively recaps all essential information for new viewers.

In this series, we primarily focus on the character known as Oswald Cobb, frequently referred to as “Oz.” The narrative follows his journey from obscurity to a point where he ascends to the position of a formidable adversary that Batman must ultimately confront.

The Penguin season 1, episode 1 review: An introduction to the big players

I’m typically not a fan of premier episodes due to excessive explanations and slow-paced storytelling. However, that’s not the approach taken by “The Penguin“. Instead, it jumps right into the narrative, subtly hinting that no one should expect everyone to make it through alive.

With the demise of the Falcone patriarch, Carmine Falcone, Oz aims to seize control. He possesses damaging information about influential figures, but his advance is halted when Carmine’s son, Alberto, unexpectedly emerges. As hostilities escalate between them, Cobb blunders: he fires at Alberto in response to the young mob boss mocking him.

If he manages to hide it, this method could provide him with power, but it leaves a fatal mark on his record. The Falcone clan, though known for their eccentricities, aren’t fools. Sofia Falcone, now away from Gotham, firmly believes that Oz is responsible for her brother’s death.

As a gamer immersed in my virtual world, I couldn’t hide my actions alone. A group of rowdy hoodlums attempted to swipe my ride, and in self-defense, I returned fire. Cornering Victor Aguilar, I left him no choice but to join my grander scheme. It wasn’t until halfway through the game’s narrative that I subtly hinted at Victor about his old hideout being demolished. The petty crimes he was involved with were merely the tip of the iceberg. If Victor aspired to rise in the criminal underworld, he needed to think beyond the small fry, and I was ready to guide him.

It appears that Oswald may identify with Victor to some extent. Yet, it’s worth noting that this young fellow is petrified at the thought of confronting the mafia. Understandably so, but Oz intends to guide him along the “proper” path.

In addition, we’ll encounter Oswald’s mother who resides in a humble abode that he supports financially. A pang of empathy struck me as Oz recognized his mom had missed her medication. There’s a richer narrative yet to unfold, and I’m excited to witness its development. His mother is quite the formidable Italian-American figure. She refuses to back down, and it’s clear where Oswald derives his resilience from.

Oswald Cobb proves he is a step ahead of everyone else

Though Oz erred in firing at Alberto, he won’t allow that error to define his existence. Instead of fleeing as initially planned, he chooses to confront the predicament head-on. The solution, it seems, lies within the ring Alberto displayed moments before his demise, offering a path towards resolution.

In my past, I’ve heard tales about a ring that was once in the possession of a notorious rival, Salvator Maroni. Carmine Falcone, an old foe, managed to seize it during their prolonged conflict. Now, Oz, intrigued by the potential power this artifact may hold, contemplates a visit to Sal in prison, presenting him with a proposition. I’ve also learned that Alberto, a key figure, has orchestrated a substantial drug shipment. As the Falcones aim to relocate Oz’s base, he yearns to maintain its current state. Could Sal be the key to opening that door?

Despite Sal remaining firm, I sense that’s exactly what Oz anticipated. Ready with Sal’s ring, he hurls it at the crime boss and then departs. It’s evident that the situation with Sal isn’t resolved, and this instance merely showcased how Oz outsmarts others by thinking strategically in advance and adapting swiftly to the game.

In certain predicaments, he needs to strategize and communicate effectively, such as when Sofia interrogates him about her brother. Earlier, Oz devised a strategy alongside Victor. Suddenly, a car slams into the mansion. Guess who was in the trunk? None other than a very deceased Alberto, minus his pinky finger.

As it turns out, things didn’t go as planned: Oz intended for only Alberto’s head to end up in the car, but Victor couldn’t manage all the chopping needed, so he severed the pinky finger and put the entire body in the trunk instead. Nonetheless, the plan worked. The missing pinky finger serves as a clue to the Falcones that the Maroni crime family might have been involved, since Alberto wore Sal’s ring on that very finger. If the Maronis didn’t carry out this act, Oz assumes they’ll still be compelled to take responsibility for it. This is all part of the code in the underworld crime scene – preserving face and reputation. If the Maroni family doesn’t acknowledge their involvement, it could mean someone else exacted revenge on their behalf.

Verdict

The entire storyline is skillfully crafted, leaving you guessing about Oz’s next move or how he might escape his current predicament. However, it maintains a sense of fairness in its narrative. This unpredictability keeps me on edge and I eagerly anticipate what’s coming up in the rest of the season.

We see this budding partnership between Oz and Victor forming, and we have the threat of two big crime families going against each other, leaving Oz to grow his empire. Do not underestimate Oswald Cobb.

The Penguin will now move to Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.

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2024-09-20 05:41