Review 45 – The Penguin, Episode 5, Dir. Helen Shaver.
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In every show, there’s usually a point where it feels like the story might dip or become predictable. While predictability isn’t always a bad thing, it’s natural to wonder where the plot is headed next.
Many shows experience this, but this episode manages to keep the momentum going, even as it hints at familiar turns. Despite moments where the story feels like it might slow down, it still manages to build the narrative and the characters to new heights while keeping the entertainment factor strong.
One thing that stands out is just how much is packed into this episode. I found myself needing to go back and check the episode to make sure I wasn’t missing anything, as there’s a lot to unravel.
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So, let’s dive into it.
Let's talk about Sofia. She appears more relaxed and free, which is evident not only in her tone and demeanor but also in the way she openly shows her scars, particularly around her neck and shoulders. These scars, once hidden, now seem to reflect her emotional and psychological trauma, but also her toughness. Her carefree prancing from the previous episode and her visible scars suggest that the weight of her family’s judgment and hypocrisy has finally been lifted. It’s as if she’s no longer burdened by the need to hide who she really is.
The scene where Sofia speaks to the henchmen, offering them more money and power than her father did, brilliantly showcases her strategic mindset. She’s appealing to their hunger for more, subtly positioning herself as the better leader while also making it clear that going against her will have consequences. When Johnny Viti (played by Michael Kelly) interrupts her, trying to keep her calm and dampening the mood, so when he gets shot, it’s no surprise. It’s a stark reminder that her mindset is that people are either with her or against her. Her following act of throwing money at the henchmen as a token of appreciation for their loyalty to her father is powerful. The way the money falls into the blood, and the goons still scramble to collect it, shows how right she was to tap into their greed. The fact that they grab the blood-soaked money highlights a central truth in this world: money remains king, even when it’s tainted.
Sofia’s decision to change her surname to Gigante, her mother’s maiden name, is a bold declaration that she’s done with her family's legacy and is now set on building her own empire. She is no longer in the shadow of someone else; she is building her own path.
In the scene with the escaped Salvatore Maroni (played by Clancy Brown), Sofia radiates confidence, fully aware of the power she holds. No longer under anyone’s control, she conducts herself with the attitude of someone who knows there are no limits to what she can achieve. Her offer to partner with a grieving Salvatore to take down Oz reveals not only her intelligence but also a testament to the threat Oz now poses, and their willingness to face him speaks volumes about how formidable Oz has become.
It will be exciting to watch the partnership between Sofia and Salvatore unfold. The tension already exists, and it’s only a matter of time before someone betrays the other. Let’s see who stabs whom in the back first, literally or figuratively!!!
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Now let’s talk about Oz. This episode takes his ruthlessness and lack of empathy to new heights. The scene where he stands there with an evil grin as Taj and Nadia Maroni burn to death, unmoved by their screams, is chilling. It’s as if he truly believes he’s untouchable now, with nothing left to stop him. His behaviour is fascinating, showing just how far he’s willing to go to maintain his power.
In contrast, there’s an interesting moment with his girlfriend, which gives us a glimpse of a more vulnerable side of Oz. While he might seem invincible on the outside, this scene shows that he’s not entirely fearless, he's deeply concerned about her safety. This small window into his personal life speaks volumes about how he values relationships close to him, even as he ruthlessly destroys others.
Oz is clearly willing to burn anyone who stands between him and success—literally. From the torture to the killings, he’s becoming more unhinged, and the only thing I can see pushing him over the edge is his mother’s death. The way she talks throughout the episode, coupled with the emotion in their final conversation, hints that something terrible might happen to her soon. If she dies, it could be the moment Oz loses control and maybe makes a critical mistake. His gentleness toward her, contrasted with his brutality toward others, makes me feel that her death will be the breaking point for him.
On a lighter note, the phone call between Oz and the escaped Salvatore was pure dark humor. When Salvatore told Oz he was "cooked," and Oz replied, “That's funny you should call your wife,” I couldn’t help but laugh. The timing of that line was absolutely spot-on, and it was one of the best moments of dialogue I’ve seen. It added a twisted layer of humor to an otherwise intense and brutal show.
The final scene in the trolley tunnel, where Oz and Victor plan to build their new drug empire from the ground up, well underground, makes me think we might see a time jump soon. It feels like the next episode could pick up when the mushrooms are fully cultivated and ready to go. Based on the trailer, that seems like a strong possibility. Either way, I’m excited to see where this story-line goes and how their underground empire takes shape.
Also, The Maserati. RIP to that beauty. Loved that car!
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One thing that did bother me was how easily Salvatore managed to escape. All we see is Oz’s hitman stab him and the next thing we know, we’re hearing about Salvatore’s escape over the phone. It felt rushed because he is a powerful person and his escape means a lot as Oz now has Sofia and Salvatore hunting him.
A much more compelling and quick way to handle that would be to show that after being stabbed, he stabs the hitman back and says something cool like, "I’ll tell him myself." Then, they could have shown him walking out of his cell, taking down guards, maybe grabbing a gun, and shooting his way out. All of this could have played out in under a minute, and it would have been believable, especially if the prison was short-staffed.
On the other hand, there were some excellent scenes, like Chief Bock’s interaction at the Falcone house after the murders. His passive-aggressive questioning of Sofia, and her refusal to take it, added tension. The way Bock remained firm, calling back to his attitude from The Batman, where he didn’t treat Batman like a hero but more like a guy playing Halloween, was such a great touch. It’s these small details that make this show good.
In conclusion, this episode did a fantastic job of developing the characters further while setting the stage for what is going to be an intense showdown, and I will be there for all of it!
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Check this out on Medium.
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