Review 44 – The Penguin, Episode 4, Dir. Helen Shaver
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Oh. My. God. This show is shaping up to be one of the greatest CBM (Comic Book Movie) projects ever. Episode 4 was an absolute masterpiece. I have no idea how they’ll top this, but I’m certain they will.
The episode dives deep into Sofia’s backstory, which was both surprising and heart-breaking. At first, I assumed she had actually killed those people, but it turns out she was gaslit and framed because Carmine was probably hated her guts. I initially didn’t want to root for her, thinking she was just a spoiled brat. However, it becomes clear that she was treated horribly by everyone around her.
Sofia’s backstory is incredibly rich and does an amazing job of building her character. The torture and psychological experiments she endured at Arkham really messed her up. The show doesn’t shy away from portraying the horrific reality of Arkham, and by extension, Gotham. Watching her be treated like trash especially by her father, whom she loved—was truly heart-breaking. Carmine saw her as a liability rather than a daughter.
Despite not being a psychotic killer, Sofia is surrounded by people who treat her like she is, pushing her to the edge. She’s starting to embrace this, realizing that if everyone thinks she’s a monster, she might as well use it to her advantage. Her thirst for revenge is yet to be quenched and I’m fully behind her. She’s out for blood, and I’m sure she’ll get it.
While the episode focuses on Sofia, it also reveals a lot about other characters. Carmine Falcone, played by Mark Strong as a younger version, absolutely killed it. The seamless transition between Strong and John Turturro’s version of Carmine from The Batman is impressive. Carmine remains the same cunning, despicable man, and you can’t help but hate him for what he’s done. He likely killed Sofia’s mother, possibly even Selina Kyle’s mother, and he’s behind the death of her friend. The show makes it clear just how evil this man is.
I was rooting for Oz earlier in the series, thinking he just wanted to reclaim what was his, but after what he did to Sofia, I no longer feel any sympathy for him. He’s just as much of a ruthless mastermind, selfish to the core, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he betrays or kills Victor. The situation he’s in now is entirely of his own making. This is what makes him a villain worthy fighting Batman.
The final scene of the episode is absolutely wild. Sofia kills one of Gotham’s most powerful families but spares the kid, showing she’s not truly psychotic. She also spares Viti, though I doubt he’ll last long. Her playful hopping and dancing after the massacre felt symbolic, like she was finally free from the suffocating judgment of her hypocritical, fake family and friends. It was an oddly empowering moment.
Looking ahead, I predict something major will happen in the finale, someone important is going to die. I’m praying it’s not Sofia. It can’t be Oz since the show is named after him, but if Sofia doesn’t make it, I’ll be heartbroken.
I can’t wait for the next episode, and I’m going to try to watch and review it earlier. It’s tough with a full day of college and other responsibilities, but I’m getting major FOMO, so we’ll see!
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