Review 49 – The Penguin, Episode 8, Dir. Jennifer Getzinger
Wow, I can't believe it's over. This show has truly been a masterclass in storytelling, sound, and visuals. It does an incredible job of crafting a villainous character that will go down as one of the greatest.
I had to take a day to process everything and let the excitement wear off so I could give a more thoughtful review.
So without further delay, let’s dive into this absolutely insane episode.
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Sofia
First let’s talk about Sofia. As I mentioned in my last review, her character has been on a wild emotional rollercoaster, and that doesn’t end here. In this episode, we see that she’s truly done with everything. She burns down the house she grew up in symbolising that she’s letting go of her past and completely severing ties with it, she’s done with that hypocritical family once and for all. She probably just wants to find peace, maybe even take her niece and start fresh. She’s so done that she’s willing to give up all her criminal assets to other mobs just to get a chance to kill Oz. Unfortunately she's back at Arkham but she gets a letter from none other than Selina Kyle (Zoe Kravitz). I’m genuinely excited to see these two team up. They’re both driven by a shared hatred for their fathers and a mutual desire for revenge against Oz. I’m confident they won’t turn on each other. They both truly want to break free from the legacies they’ve been forced into.
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Victor
Victor is a smart man with incredible influence, and his ability to navigate situations with precision is something to be admired. He managed to convince the right hand of the Triads to take out his own boss, and even orchestrated the downfall of others, proving his worth time and time again. He’s become one of the best sidekicks I’ve seen.
It’s a real shame that Oz saw him as a threat rather than an ally. When that choking scene played out, I honestly couldn’t believe, I was flustered not knowing if they were really going to go through with it. But when he stopped breathing and fell to the floor, my heart dropped. It’s hard to believe they actually killed Victor off. I am so sad.
But here’s fun theory : What if, just what if, Victor Fries discovers his body, He would test his cryogenic freezing technology on him and if Batman and Mr. Freeze clashed, and Batman ended up taking Victor’s body, nursing him back to life and what if Victor becomes the next Batman’s sidekick ? It’s a long shot, but hey, I have hope and an imagination so sky's the limit
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Oz
Now let’s dive into the man after whom this show is named: Oswald Cobb a.k.a. The Penguin.
Oz is a man driven by his own warped sense of self-preservation. He was willing to let his mother die during the interrogation scene with Sofia just so he wouldn’t have to admit that he killed his brothers. It wasn’t until his mother revealed that she knew the truth all along that he calmed down, but even then, his concern wasn’t for her, he was more focused on preserving his own image. The whole scene was chilling.
The flashback sequence, where it’s revealed that his mother wanted him dead after learning he killed his brothers, is absolutely shocking. Initially, I thought maybe she was just blinded by the hope for a better future, but no, it seems like she simply wanted a son, and no matter what he had done, he was still her blood. She would do anything to keep him alive. The young actor who portrayed Oz captured that innocence and malice perfectly—he had that smile that said, "I’m innocent, but I’ll kill if I don’t get my way."
The moment where Francis stabs Oz, it’s understandable, given everything she’s been through, but it’s her collapse and stroke afterward that really hits home. It’s a devastating moment. She gave Oz everything even after he took so much from her and in the end she’s left broken by the weight of it all. You can’t help but feel for her, a woman who sacrificed so much for a son who never truly cared for her.
The scene where Oz speaks with the councilman is a masterclass in manipulation. The way he skillfully weaves a narrative, shifting blame and responsibility onto the Falcone-Maroni conflict, is nothing short of brilliant. He effortlessly spins the events he's responsible for and makes it seem like they were merely the unfortunate by-products. It’s a testament to his skills, he's not just a criminal, he’s a brilliant storyteller.
What really stands out is how smooth he is in his delivery. He uses facts and real information but bends them to fit his narrative, making it seem like he wasn’t involved at all. His explanation of the bomb, how it was Sofia’s G-Wagon, part of a drug operation, and how Salvatore and his men were under the rubble is a perfect example. While we, as the audience, know the truth, his ability to manipulate the situation and present the story .
When Oz is killing Victor, you can see it in his eyes, he gets a twisted satisfaction from it. The cold, calculated expression on his face is eerily similar to the one he wore when he killed Salvatore’s wife and kid. He views Victor as a liability, despite everything Victor has done for him and his mother. In that moment, I think Oz realizes that if Victor becomes like him, he might eventually do the same things Oz does and that means willing to kill him. And to make it even more brutal, Oz disposes of Victor’s ID in the river, making it harder for anyone to identify him, steals his money, and ultimately treats him like a disposable pawn.
The last sequence with him in the Rolls-Royce, an upgrade from the Maserati. While the Rolls gives a better status, The Maserati had a certain aura, a certain power. Now, Oz sits in a penthouse with his mother in a vegetative state, looking over Gotham, and we see a tear fall from her eye. She’s probably thinking about all the sacrifices she made for him, but at what cost?
And to top it all off, there’s the unsettling moment with Eve—his girlfriend dressing up as his mother, offering him affirmation and telling him he’s a good boy, that she’s proud of him. That’s a level of messed up I can’t even begin to unpack. Oz's mommy issues are on full display here. The way he clings to these unhealthy dynamics shows just how far gone he is. His entire world is built on lies, manipulation, and a deep, twisted need for validation.
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This episode was truly exceptional, and the Bat-Signal lighting up Gotham at the end was the perfect cherry on top. It really elevated the moment, leaving me hyped for The Batman Part 2 and any future spin-offs that come from this universe. The way the show captures both the gritty atmosphere of Gotham and the complexities of its characters makes it stand out as a masterclass in storytelling.
I can’t wait to dive into the full season overview in my next review, where I’ll share my final thoughts and ratings. Stay tuned for that—it’s going to be a short but engaging dive into everything that makes this season unforgettable!
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