As a woman who grew up watching TV shows where female characters were often relegated to chasing after men, I can wholeheartedly say that it’s refreshing and empowering to see strong, complex female characters like those on “The Penguin.” The fact that these women are not just pursuing romantic relationships but are also ambitious, driven, and determined is a testament to the evolution of television.
Look at my X profile (previously called Twitter), and you’ll discover that I am a loving father, husband, author, avid reader, educator, and long-distance runner, listed in that specific sequence.
If I were to add another characteristic about myself to the list, it would likely be “a feminist,” as I firmly believe in and advocate for gender equality among women.
“I’m really enjoying HBO’s show The Penguin, because I believe it stands out as a highly feminist production. I’ve previously expressed my admiration for Rhenzy Feliz’s character, Victor, and now I want to discuss how impressive The Penguin is as a show that addresses feminist themes.
Oh, and massive SPOILERS are ahead. You’ve been warned.
Forget The Patriarchy. It’s All About The Matriarchy
As a gamer, let me clarify something often: I’m not about stripping men of their power; instead, I believe in sharing it equally. After all, as a fellow male, I can attest that the joy of gaming is amplified when everyone has a fair chance to excel and enjoy the experience together.
As a feminist, I don’t advocate for men having an exclusive or dominant share of power. Our current society is undeniably male-dominated, as seen in the predominance of men in high-ranking positions globally, which is something I strongly oppose.
In my opinion, things should be balanced, with women and men sharing equal power. This is what I find appealing about The Penguin, as it presents a compelling argument for how matriarchies might even outperform traditional patriarchal systems.
In a different phrasing: What other interpretation can be drawn about Sofia Falcone, portrayed brilliantly by Cristin Milioti, who seemingly alienated nearly everyone working for her father, and then seized power as the new head? Sofia, desiring to distance herself significantly from her violent father, rejects his name and instead adopts her mother’s maiden name, Gigante.
Tonight, take a look at this astonishing event: Sofia managed to accomplish something Salvatore Maroni had been unable to do for years – annihilate the Falcone family. Let me emphasize, she did it in a single night! Furthermore, she swiftly disposed of anyone who threatened her (witness how effortlessly she handled Johnny Viti when he ventured outside the boundaries).
For just a few short weeks, Sofia has taken her seat at the head of the table, and in that time, she’s managed to strike terror into the heart of Gotham City. In fact, she’s even allied with Maroni, her father’s adversary, as they both have a mutual foe in Oz Cobb.
In all aspects, it’s evident that a matriarchal system excels in productivity compared to a patriarchal one. The key has been finding the right person to lead and make progress.
The Penguin Is Also A Show Where Men’s Bad Deeds Get Punished
Lately, John Turturro has shared his reasons for declining to be in “The Penguin,” stating his discomfort with the depiction of violence against women. I fully support actors expressing their convictions, and it’s admirable. Interestingly, even the showrunner, Lauren LeFranc (who is a woman), responded in a tactful manner to this issue.
Although I appreciate Turturro’s stance against linking himself with such a misogynistic undertone, I believe he might have missed seizing a promising role in the series. Mark Strong performed well, but the portrayal of violence towards women was deliberate. It was designed to be harsh and offensive, as the characters involved would eventually face severe retribution for their actions.
Essentially, this series revolves around instances where men mistreat women, with the women subsequently seeking retribution against those wrongdoers. To illustrate, consider the first episode: Sofia didn’t have faith in Oz, so she subjected him to torment. As the story unfolds, we discover that Sofia knew Oz played a role in her incarceration at Arkham Asylum, and thus, her actions can be seen as a form of retaliation against Oz because he truly deserved it.
Speaking of earlier discussion, what if we consider an instance when she executed all those men who were involved in sending her away, and these men were odious? Johnny Viti was one man she let live, but merely to inflict pain upon him. Once he served no purpose for her, Sofia coldly ended his life at the very table where they were seated.
Indeed, the series portrays violence towards women, yet it’s important to note that the men are also punished for their wrongdoings, which is entirely justifiable. I can’t help but wish real life adhered to such a karmic balance. It’s quite clear that we’d see fewer unscrupulous males if this were the case.
It’s Great To See The Girl Code Employed By Oz’s Lover, Eve
One of the standout characters on the series is Eve Karlo, portrayed by Carmen Ejogo from True Detective’s third season. In this role, Eve leads a network of sex workers catering to Gotham City’s male population, and she also serves as Oz’s romantic interest.
Similarly to how the wicked characters are penalized in this series, Oz himself is met with punishment from his partner, Eve. This is because she’s held a grudge against him since he employed her as an alibi for the murder of Alberto Falcone.
As a devoted follower of this fascinating realm, I can tell you when she unraveled the reason behind him requiring her to affirm they spent the night together, she grasped the potential consequences – and most significantly, how it would sway the women in our domain. In my capacity as its matriarch, I was not about to let that transpire.
In the latest episode, when Oz asked me to depart with him for Crown Point, I swiftly hit the brakes, realizing my commitment to my sisters outweighed anything I owed to Oz. Moreover, I chose to reveal Oz’s whereabouts to Sofia, as I believe both of us have suffered at his hands and it’s only fair that he receives his due punishment.
I’m really fond of this series because it portrays women realistically, not stereotypically villainizing them for standing up to the men in their lives. Many shows, even exceptional ones, haven’t managed this delicate balance effectively.
Despite the fact that Breaking Bad is my all-time favorite series, it’s clear that the writers didn’t handle Skylar’s character as well as they could have. Many viewers disliked her intensely (and some still do), and a few even believe she was more wicked than Walter White, who, in case there’s any doubt, is a murderous drug lord.
I’m glad to see Skylar getting support lately, and I’m relieved that the creators of The Penguin are handling Eve and Sofia differently. It makes me wonder if perhaps having a woman in charge of these female characters could be part of the reason for this approach? Just musing.
It’s Refreshing To See Power-Hungry Female Characters, Such As Oz’s Mom
Another character I love is Oz’s mom, Francis, played impeccably by Deidre O’Connell. It seems like Francis is suffering horribly through dementia, but when she has her moments of clarity, you can see that she craves power just as much as her son, if not more so.
I really enjoy watching characters like Lady MacBeth and Sherry Palmer from the show “24”. Francis Cobb seems to fit this archetype perfectly. In fact, she becomes frustrated with Oz for not seizing control of Gotham City more quickly, perhaps because she suspects her time is limited. Instead of spending her final days enduring cold conditions in Crown Point, she would prefer a comfortable existence.
In every aspect, I’m deeply fascinated by the fact that Oz’s mother appears power-hungry, as it gives the impression that Oz is accomplishing everything he does due to her influence (Not for her, but because of her), and this relationship dynamic is captivating to observe week after week.
Overall, I Just Love Seeing Strong, Female Characters On TV
To conclude, there’s nothing more appealing to me than dynamic female characters, regardless of whether they are heroines or villains. What truly captivates me is their desire for something beyond a romantic interest, their independence, and their relentless pursuit of their goals. If a character exhibits these qualities, I find them intriguing!
In my childhood experiences, the depiction of women in media often revolved around pursuing men. Characters like Ellen Ripley, Samus Aran, and Sarah Connor who exhibited strength and badassness were scarce.
As a gamer, I’ve got to admit, it’s refreshing to see more powerful female characters leading the way in today’s stories. Sure, some might scoff and cry “Woke!” at the sight of three strong women taking center stage in a movie like The Marvels, but I’m here for it! In fact, I can’t get enough of the feisty females gracing our screens on shows like The Penguin. I guess you could say that deep down, there’s a bit of a feminist inside me who just loves to see women kicking butt and taking names!
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2024-10-30 03:08