After the stories of secondary characters, the creators of 'The Penguin' finally focused on developing their main character, and how brilliantly they succeeded!
Earlier we learned about the true story of Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) and the role Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) played in her fate. Now, as they say, it's showtime. All the pieces are set on the chessboard of criminal Gotham, and the first move belongs to the Penguin (not for nothing does he often wear a white jacket).
Previous recaps:
The text contains spoilers for episodes 5 and 6 of 'The Penguin'
Falcone's Death
Having spared Johnny Viti (Michael Kelly) to preserve her father's money, which could not be traced otherwise, and to legitimize her leadership of the family, Sofia Falcone stands confidently before the men who worked for her father and then her uncle. Donning a coat that belonged to her mother (whom Carmine killed), Sofia decides to take her mother's maiden name — Gigante. And similarly name her criminal organization, thereby destroying her father's legacy. Sofia kills Johnny in a shocking manner with a shot to the head after he speaks out against the idea, and also offers Carmine's money to the gangsters to secure their loyalty.
Interestingly, the surname Gigante is not pulled out of thin air but straight from the comics. However, while in DC Comics Sofia got it from her husband Rocco, the film version made an even more interesting move that helped the heroine become the new head of the family.
Unexpected Alliance
Sofia also intends to end the long-standing war between the Falcones and the Maronis. To this end, she meets with Salvatore himself (Clancy Brown), who previously escaped from Blackgate Prison. If Gigante wants to get even with Cobb for her brother's death, the Maroni leader has his own bone to pick with the Penguin — he killed his wife and son.
This unexpected alliance makes sense for both sides. Together, it's easier for them to eliminate Farrell's character, who is gaining momentum, and also to establish complete control over Gotham.
The Hideout
It would seem that Oz's position is not the most advantageous. Yes, he dealt a devastating blow to the Maroni family and almost destroyed Sofia's ambitions (as it might have seemed to him until the girl poisoned her entire family). But now he faces a double threat, with only two buckets of mushrooms used to make the Bliss drug as his trump cards.
But Oz wouldn't be Oz if he didn't figure out how to get out of even such conditions. He recalls the abandoned underground trolley system of Gotham, where he hung out with his brothers shortly before their death. It is here that Cobb, together with Victor (Rhenzy Feliz), decides to set up a base. Oz confirms that the humidity here will be ideal for growing even more mushrooms. This will allow Cobb to build a power foundation based on Bliss, which had previously made a loud statement.
The Penguin Reaches a New Level
Episode 6, under the pompous title Gold Summit, begins with Oz becoming a notable player among local gangs, working from his new underground base and trading Bliss. And he also has a grand plan — to unite the criminal groups of Gotham. But more on that later.
It was only a matter of time before Oz, played by Colin Farrell, would truly shine. Here, the Penguin becomes, believe it or not, a protector of the people. A kind of Batman who doesn't chase men in tights but solves real problems of the city. For example, fighting poverty. Threatening a Gotham councilman, the Penguin demanded that the city authorities stop diverting energy from Crown Point to more affluent areas of the city. And eventually, the lights come on in that area!
A Knife in the Penguin's Back
Finding a box with a photo of Eve in Oz's old house, Sofia Gigante eventually finds the girl herself. To her credit, Cobb's girlfriend knew that the ex-Falcone would be looking for her, and asked one of her girls to send Sofia on the right trail so they could meet.
Eve talks about her relationship with Oz, and she begins to think that Sofia is going to kill her, especially considering that the prostitute was the Penguin's alibi on the night he killed Sofia's brother Alberto. However, Gigante decides to let Eve live. Interestingly, the prostitute offered her life in exchange for Sofia not pursuing the girls working for her, fearing Milioti's character's false reputation as the Hangman.
But upon learning the truth from Sofia, Eve tells her that Oz lives in Crown Point and says that she deserves her chance for revenge on the Penguin.
Touching Request from Oz's Mother and Victor's Cruel Act
Among other important events of the episode, two stand out: first, the Penguin's mother asked him not to let her 'live like a vegetable' if she completely loses her memory (he reluctantly agrees); second, Vic kills a thug nicknamed Squid, who demanded to be let into Cobb's gang. Thus, Oz's henchman finally completed his transformation from a confused kid from a disadvantaged neighborhood into a murderer and drug dealer.
A New Power in Gotham
In this episode, we get the first real confirmation that Oz is a criminal authority in Gotham, not just a caricature figure whose reputation is something of a joke.
Refusing to back down even after Gigante and Maroni began pursuing the gangs that agreed to cooperate with him, Oz organizes a meeting with the small groups of Gotham. Among them are classic gangs from the comics: the 'Odessa Mafia,' the 'Sullivans,' the 'LoBoys,' the 'Burnley Town Massive,' and the 'Triad,' which could take the Penguin's drug business international. Promising them all a piece of the 'pie' if they can work together, the Penguin forces all these groups to unite to gain more control over Gotham than ever before.
The key to the Penguin's success is defining Sofia and Sal as the common enemy of everyone else. Calling them the old guard, who don't care about small organizations, the Penguin strikes at the heart of the long-standing inequality between Gotham's largest crime families and other gangs, who only got the scraps of luxury. That's why Oz succeeds, despite no one trusting him. He is a known swindler who will do anything to get what he wants, but at the same time, he knows how to present himself as a man with a code worth listening to.The episode ends with Oz's mother Francis and his right-hand man Victor celebrating the electricity being turned on and dancing in the old apartment where they have been hiding since the Penguin killed Salvatore's family. And watching this idyllic picture is Sofia, previously convinced that the Penguin had no loved ones left.
Teaser for Episode 7:
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