As a long-time resident of Gotham City and a dedicated follower of the city’s underworld, I’ve seen my fair share of characters who could be considered “colorful.” However, none have left me as disheartened, frustrated, and utterly disgusted as Oswald Cobblepot, also known as The Penguin.
I thoroughly enjoyed “The Penguin” series, which stood out as one of the top shows available on Max, and it might even be one of the finest DC-related productions ever. While I’ve previously expressed my appreciation for the show as a powerful feminist drama, I now wish to discuss an aspect that bothered me significantly – the character of Penguin himself!
To clarify, I’m not suggesting that Colin Farrell gave a poor performance, quite the contrary – many on this platform share my appreciation for his portrayal of Penguin. However, there is no character I’ve ever disliked more than Oz Cob, and I have five reasons to support this viewpoint.
Oh, and MAJOR spoilers up ahead if you haven’t finished the series yet. You’ve been warned.
He Never Actually Showed Remorse For Killing His Brothers
In The Penguin novel, a moment struck me where my heart went out to Oz Cobb. This occurred early on as other characters mockingly referred to him as ‘the Penguin’ due to his limp. Immediately, I empathized with him, and I appreciated it when he retaliated against those who taunted him with insults. It seemed justly earned.
To put it another way, Episode 7, named “Top Hat,” effectively erased any lingering empathy I had for the character. Previously, we caught glimpses of Oswald’s brothers in earlier episodes, with hints about their demise. However, Oz gave off an impression that they were involved in shady dealings themselves and met a violent end.
Initially, in Episode 7, we are taken to Oz’s early years, where it is revealed that contrary to popular belief, Oz’s brothers were not villains. Instead, they appeared to be well-behaved children, which caused Oswald to feel intense envy towards them.
Describing Oz as merely a “mama’s boy” is quite mild. Oz craved not just a portion, but absolutely everything his mother had to offer. Whether this was the primary reason for him imprisoning his siblings in the sewer is uncertain, but it’s clear that he showed no remorse for his actions. His smug expression as he lounged on the couch with his mom, watching movies together while his brothers were absent, hinted at a lack of concern or guilt.
As a gamer putting down this controller in disbelief, I can’t wrap my head around it. The most appalling aspect was that Oz never seemed to feel an ounce of regret for his actions, not even as an adult. It’s as if he separated those deeds from the rest of his life, perhaps even laying blame on the victims themselves – implying they should have found another escape route if they truly wanted to survive. What a reprehensible individual Oz is, utterly despicable.
He Honestly Shouldn’t Have Beaten Sofia
Without a doubt, isn’t it everyone’s fondness for Sofia Falcone that is universal? Beyond the capability of defeating many foes in a single strike, as we discovered in the episode “Cent’Anni” centered around her, she wasn’t truly “The Hangman,” but rather a character marked by tragedy who had been betrayed by her own father!
In essence, Sofia transitioned from portraying a villainous role to embodying a scorned woman seeking justice against those who harmed her. When she executed everyone associated with her family, it became clear why she resorted to such actions. Remarkably, she showed mercy by sparing her innocent niece – an act that Oz Cobb might not have exhibited in a comparable situation.
In the surprising finale, I actually thought Sofia would have the last chuckle. It’s strange because the series is called “The Penguin,” not “Sofia Falcone,” yet I hoped against hope that Oz Cobb wouldn’t beat her in the end.
Besides this, what truly irritated me was the manner in which Oz triumphed over her. If Oz had indeed taken the more straightforward route of shooting her from behind the head, which she appeared to have accepted a truce for, I could possibly have accepted his victory.
Despite Oz’s actions to send Sofia back to Arkham Asylum, a place more dreadful than death for her, his behavior made me detest him even more. Although Sofia betrayed her own mother because of him, I believe her actions were understandable and I rooted for her victory. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.
He Selfishly Wouldn’t Let His Mother Die, Even Though He Promised Her That He Would Kill Her
Regarding Oz’s mother, it became clear in the initial episode that she was struggling. At first, we weren’t entirely sure about the reasons for her distress, but as the series progressed, we came to understand that she had Lewy Body dementia. This condition made her fully aware of her gradual deterioration.
Indeed, she had gone as far as to request her own son to end her life if the situation worsened. Despite his initial hesitation, he promised he would carry out this act if she ever reached a point where she was drooling uncontrollably – a state she eventually reached in the final episode following a severe stroke.
Of course, I comprehend your sentiments. It’s hard to imagine a son taking his mother’s life, isn’t it? While it was clear Oz wouldn’t really end her suffering, wasn’t it excessive for him to transfer her from the hospital, complete with her bed, to the penthouse he had promised her instead?
It was clear that she deeply desired to end her life, as a single tear trailed down her cheek. Although she might have been unable to verbalize her suffering, it was undeniably apparent to the observer, yet seemed to escape Oz Cobb’s notice, who now appeared to be lost in his own thoughts.
The finale of “The Penguin” was nearly flawless (with just one minor exception), and this is due to the fact that the series has consistently been a work of tragedy. Is there anything more heart-wrenching than witnessing the fate of Oz’s long-suffering mother, who clearly wishes not to live on? Indeed, Oz displays a striking degree of self-centeredness.
His Oedipus Complex Went From An Interesting Character Trait To An Extreme That I Wasn’t Ready For In The Final Episode
I just mentioned how Oz is selfish, but he’s also sick. Very, very sick.
From the get-go, it was evident that Oz harbored some form of Oedipus Complex, as shown in his tender dances with his mother or his habit of sleeping beside her, reminiscent of a lover’s intimacy. However, I was utterly unprepared for the chilling revelation at the end when Eve, his prostitute companion, strikingly resembled his mother in those final moments.
It wasn’t until the last episode where Eve was dressed similarly to his mother, that I realized she bore a strong resemblance to her, although it was evident even without the similar outfit.
Looking back on it now, everything falls into place because Oz appeared excessively affectionate towards his mother, yet it wasn’t until the last moments that I managed to piece it all together, recoiling as the realization dawned during the closing seconds.
To some extent, it’s hard not to feel sympathy for Oz once more, given the complexity of his character. He was indeed an unreliable and detestable individual, even to those closest to him, as I will discuss in detail next. Moreover, he murdered his own brothers and played a part in Sofia’s imprisonment – twice! However, it seems apparent that he suffered from severe mental instability, which might explain his questionable actions.
However, his actions from the previous scene came back to me, causing me to dislike him once more.
He Killed Victor!
Recently, I shared my admiration for Rhenzy Feliz’s portrayal of Victor, emphasizing a particular aspect that resonated with me: his ability to humanize Oz.
Initially, Oz appeared to be a villainous character, but surprisingly, he had the chance to harm Victor in the first episode, yet he chose not to. Intriguingly, following the unfortunate circumstances that left Victor without his family, Oz became almost like a second father figure to him, offering protection and guidance instead of harm.
On numerous occasions, Victor stood by Oswald, and in Episode 3, Victor’s decision had profound consequences, as he rescued Oz from an imminent demise.
In a twisted way, Oz Cobb expresses gratitude towards Victor by brutally attacking him in a park, leaving him near death, all to reunite with his beloved mother once more.
Without a doubt, it was that very instant when my feelings towards Oswald shifted to intense dislike, and I find myself unable to forgive him. Frankly, the thought of another season with his presence leaves me feeling nauseated; I simply cannot endure this character any longer.
Keep checking in here for the latest on “The Penguin” as that’s why I can’t stand Oz Cobb.)
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2024-11-18 13:07