We tell how 'The Penguin', arguably the best series of 2024, ended.
The eighth episode of 'The Penguin' concludes the new DC and HBO series, and it is both a dark ending (for the show) and a new beginning (for the titular hero played by Colin Farrell). Throughout the series, Oz Cobb works nonstop to become the head of Gotham's criminal underworld. By the end of episode 8 of 'The Penguin', he succeeds. True, not without losses.
Previous recaps:
The text contains spoilers for episode 8 of 'The Penguin'
Bitter Truth
At the end of episode 7, Sofia Gigante (Cristin Milioti) took Francis Cobb (Deirdre O'Connell) prisoner, holding her in the same jazz club where Oz promised his mother peace at his feet after the death of his brothers. The Penguin himself also ends up in the same place, brought there by Sofia's henchmen. Bringing the relatives together, Gigante demanded that Oz and Francis reveal the truth to each other: that he killed his brothers, and that Francis always knew about it.
After Oz continues to pretend he doesn't understand, even under the threat of his mother losing a finger, Francis admits her hatred for her son and his actions. And this is perhaps the strongest blow to Cobb from Sofia.
Oz then manages to escape the club with his mother, but soon she suffers a stroke. Sofia promises her entire empire to whichever gang can deliver Oz to her before she leaves the city. Burning down the Falcone mansion before heading to the airport, Sofia was so close to finishing the job and starting a new life, if only Oz hadn't prevailed by doing something she never could have imagined.
The Penguin Strikes Back
Following an idea suggested by his right-hand man Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz), the Penguin secretly forms alliances with all the lieutenants from each Gotham gang. Cobb offers them a chance to make a name for themselves by betraying their gang leaders and taking control of operations, while swearing loyalty to the Penguin himself.
This is how Sofia is caught off guard when the Triads offer her Oz at the airport, and Link shoots Feng Zhao. This allows Cobb to hand Gigante over to the police, who subsequently place her back in Arkham. Even Sofia herself admits she didn't expect such a turn of events, though she insists to Oz that she finally understands who Cobb really is, whatever lies he tells others (and himself).
It may seem surprising that Oz ultimately leaves Sofia alive after everything she has done. However, this is quite logical. Sofia is the perfect scapegoat: all the blame for the Maroni murders, the Bliss story, the Crown Point explosion, and much more is placed on her. And why not? It's just the result of the ongoing war between the Falcones and the Maronis, not the truth that Sal and Sofia joined forces to destroy the Penguin.
Thanks to this, Councilman Hady will look good by providing the city with a villain, and the Penguin will have much less trouble as he becomes the new head of Gotham's criminal underworld. Killing Sofia would certainly weaken the narrative fabricated by Penguin and Hady.
Interestingly, once in Arkham, Sofia receives a letter from Selina Kyle, who introduces herself as her half-sister. It is unknown where this will lead, but it is a nice Easter egg to the original 2022 film.
Final Transformation
Having achieved long-awaited power, the Penguin makes the shocking decision to kill Victor, the man who was his right hand from the very beginning of his rise to the throne. Strangling Vic, the Penguin apologizes, telling him that he is a good man with a kind heart. However, Oz decided that he and Victor had become too close (the kid just called him 'family').
Oz agrees that he and Victor have become family, but at the same time he admits that family is both strength and weakness, and he can no longer afford weaknesses now that he has finally reached the top. Nevertheless, this is an incredibly tragic and terrible act on Oz's part, finally turning him into the familiar antagonist without principles.
What About Batman?
While Oz, in an almost classic tuxedo, dances with Eve (apparently unaware that she previously ratted him out to Sofia) in his new penthouse (where the surviving Francis lies in the next room), the camera flies outside, showing Gotham City spread out below, just as the Bat-Signal turns on.
Ironically, the Bat-Signal lights up right after Eve tells Cobb that nothing stands in his way anymore. Although the Dark Knight never appeared in the series, the lit Bat-Signal creates a connection between the events of the series and the upcoming action of the 'The Batman' sequel. Thus, it is implied that Batman will indeed face the Penguin again in the future DC film, set for release in 2026. Moreover, Farrell himself confirmed his presence in at least one more film about Bruce Wayne.
Additionally, the actor does not close the door for a second season of the show about Cobb:
If there is a great idea for a second season, and the script turns out to be truly strong, as strong as in the first season, then, of course, I agree.
And to conclude our series of recaps of a truly cool series (if not for that, it could safely be called the best live-action show of the outgoing year), we share a touching message from 'The Batman' director Matt Reeves to fans:
At the end of April, the first season (and we still hope it's the last) of the series 'Shōgun' concluded on FX and streaming service Hulu, becoming a real hit and a pleasant surprise.
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