As a fan who has binged through the dark, twisted, and utterly captivating world of Gotham presented in The Penguin, I can confidently say that this series has left an indelible mark on my TV-watching life. From the hauntingly beautiful performances by Colin Farrell as Oz Cobblepot and Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, to the masterful plotting of head writer Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin has delivered a comic book story that rivals any cinematic adaptation I’ve ever seen.
After wrapping up the gripping finale of “The Penguin”, it’s clear that lead writer Lauren LeFranc, alongside stars Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti, along with the rest of the cast and crew, have crafted an exceptionally powerful, shocking, and fulfilling comic book tale for TV or film. By diverging from Matt Reeves’ movie “The Batman”, LeFranc has significantly developed the character of the sinister Oz Cobb (Farrell), solidifying him as a formidable power player in Gotham, and a monster with no trace of morality whatsoever. Initially, we were impressed by Farrell’s transformation into Oz through makeup and prosthetics; however, we depart from the series awestruck by new characters such as Sofia Gigante (Milioti), Francis Cobb (Deirdre O’Connell), Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz), and others.
The following part of the tale delves deep into significant revelations from the final episode of “The Penguin” this season, so please discontinue reading if you haven’t watched up to that point.
In the final episode of “The Penguin,” there are no cheerful conclusions for the main characters as creator Lauren LeFranc made it clear throughout the series that no one was invulnerable. Characters like Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown), who posed a threat to Oz, were ruthlessly eliminated by LeFranc. During a discussion after the finale with TopMob, LeFranc revealed that she didn’t spare any characters and crafted endings that reflected her overall plotlines for each character.
For Oz, where he ends up in the end, I think is tragic in a way. But because he made his own choices. He made his own bed. He embraced a dark delusion. I think for Sofia, this full circle quality that she experiences is very tragic. It’s a fate that’s, I think, worse than death. And same with Francis, in her own way, feeling trapped in her own body. And Victor! . Victor’s situation is also terrible. I mean, yeah, it’s bad for everybody. I guess there’s sadly no real happy ending here for any of our characters.
Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Oz has managed to ascend to one of the highest positions within Gotham’s criminal underworld. He’s taken out several leaders from competing crime families and framed Sofia, sending her to Arkham Asylum – a place she views as the worst possible destination. Recognizing that his twisted affection for Victor might expose a vulnerability, Oz brutally murdered him in cold blood. Regarding the mother he has revered throughout most of his unusual life, Oz keeps her confined in a penthouse with a view of Gotham City. This is his twisted interpretation of a promise made to his mother. However, she’s been left paralyzed following a crippling stroke, though a tearful Francis suggests that she’s fully conscious of the prison-like existence her son has created for her.
LeFranc went on to reflect the fates of these key characters, telling TopMob:
I think it’s consistent that the emotional journeys of our characters align with the show’s overall tone, given Oz is our main character. We aimed to create a universe that fits the storyline, and it seems fitting how everything concluded for each character, considering our viewpoint on Gotham City.
Among friends watching The Penguin, a common response was that as the series progressed, they were reminded that Oz and his associates are villains, capable of ruthless actions beyond measure. While there may be instances where the exceptional writing and plotting might elicit sympathy towards characters like Oz, Sofia, Victor, or Francis, the show swiftly returns to underscore the fact that these individuals are ruthless, ready (almost eager) to eliminate anyone who poses a threat to their ambitions.
By the second installment, I almost completely disregarded the fact that this narrative unfolded within a metropolis under the watch of Batman (portrayed by Robert Pattinson). Yet, the sight of the Bat Signal lighting up the night sky served as a subtle reminder that our brooding hero, the Knight in Dark Armor, was on his way to deal with Oz – at some point.
At present, “The Penguin” series seems concluded, and I’m doubtful about a Season 2. However, there’s an opportunity for another Gotham spinoff series to bridge the gap as we anticipate Matt Reeves’ “The Batman: Part 2”, which is set to release in October 2026. Be sure to visit our guide on Upcoming DC Movies for more information about Reeves’ story, and other DC films currently in development.
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2024-11-11 22:37