As a fan of dark, character-driven stories that delve into the depths of human ambition and corruption, I found “The Penguin” to be a captivating and thought-provoking limited series. The show’s writer, LeFranc, has crafted a world where power comes at an unbearable cost, and it is both terrifying and fascinating to witness the protagonist’s descent into darkness.
[This story contains major spoilers from the finals of The Penguin.]
Tonight marked the end of HBO’s series The Penguin’s first season, which is likely not its last. In the eighth episode, Colin Farrell’s character Oz Cobb managed to overcome his adversaries at a heavy price. This led him to commit Sofia Falcone (played by Cristin Milioti) to Arkham Asylum, incarcerate his stroke-afflicted mother (Deirdre O’Connell), and most tragically, kill his devoted protégé, Victor (Rhenzy Feliz).
Showrunner Lauren LeFranc, who guided us through her process of making the series earlier with The Hollywood Reporter, comes back to delve into the most significant surprises from episodes seven and eight of The Penguin, as well as speculate on what may be in store for the future.
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Before we delve into my final questions, allow me to share some thoughts about episode seven: The flashback scene where Oz murdered his brothers was truly unsettling. It seemed as if, while brainstorming in the writers’ room, someone might have pondered, “What would make Oz don a top hat? Perhaps the most chilling motivation…
I’m constantly striving to find ways to make something more impactful or unsettling, as it’s crucial to evoke specific emotions in viewers. In particular, I wanted to delve deeper into understanding the character of Oz, exploring what drives him. My goal was also to honor past depictions of the Penguin, but our version of Oz is far from the stereotypical top-hat and monocle character. However, I was inspired by the movie “Top Hat,” where all the men are dressed as penguins and dancing. I could envision Oz as a child, enchanted by this sight and aspiring to be like them. He has a deep affection for old movies, which stems from his mother’s influence, and his motivation is rooted in seeking her love.
Is it unclear whether the man knows he’s causing his brothers’ deaths as he watches the rain and glances at the door? Perhaps, he is indifferent to their fate and is only preoccupied with enjoying a peaceful evening with his mother. But we don’t see any response from him that reveals his true feelings about their demise.
Oz’s character is highly impulsive. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t intend to kill Alberto Falcone that particular night, no. His actions were driven by feelings of ridicule and disrespect, which serve as triggers for him. I don’t believe he deliberately set up a situation to harm or let his brothers perish. However, it’s the act of giving in to impulsivity that makes it just as harmful. The most vile action, in my opinion, is the waiting. He has multiple chances to warn his mother about their predicament downstairs, yet he never does. This indifference is what makes him so detestable and contemptible. I suspect he fully understands the consequences of his actions, but he’s comfortably ensconced with his mother. It’s a warm and inviting environment, everything he desires. This might be why he hesitates to act against them.
In the final flashback scene at the club, as Oz vows to care for his mother, does he understand her intentions? Or could it be that his survival instincts are signaling him to comfort her slightly by fulfilling these promises, even though he may not fully grasp her plans?
It seems to me that the situation is more likely as described. Earlier, he shared a tale with Sofia about his mom being bedridden for weeks following the death of his brothers. He’s experiencing a sense of loss concerning his mother. He feels distant from her and is striving to regain her focus and reassure her that everything is alright. In fact, it might even be better now because she won’t have as many people to care for, making things simpler.
Later on, he once more took on the role of Sofia’s chauffeur – this time under completely new conditions. The way that scene was filmed was outstanding. Sofia appeared exhausted and resigned. Did a portion of her hope to be filmed differently when she wasn’t shot?
In my gaming world, I wish I could’ve emerged victorious that day. She seemed to have all the tools at her disposal, but it was her uncontrolled fury towards Oz that proved her undoing. If she could’ve set aside that anger, perhaps she would have enjoyed a better, more liberated existence. And I suspect that when she understands Oz deceived her, there might be a hint of respect left for him. She knows tonight she’ll meet her end at his hands on that drive. Yet, she fails to foresee the greater demise – returning to Arkham, which is exactly what Oz orchestrates.
Have you ever pondered over the possibility of her character being killed off in the series, or was it decided from the start that she would live? For my perspective, she’s such a remarkable character that I can’t imagine eliminating her so early on in the storyline.
I thought about it. I hope some people wanted Sofia to beat Oz because Oz is a villain, and at the end of the day, we should have mixed feelings about the fact that he achieves what he achieves at the cost of all these other people’s lives. To me, for Sofia, the greater death is going back to Arkham after she experienced freedom and saw the potential of what she could have. To me, this is the more tragic way for things to end for her [Interestingly, Colin Farrell disagrees with LeFranc on this point]. I wanted her to have a little inkling of hope at the end in the finale, as well, because I think she deserves that much.
I must confess, you took me by surprise when Oz ended Victor’s life. I never anticipated it until the very last moment. I wonder what led to that choice being made. Could it be that he would have killed him regardless, or was the emotional bond between them a factor? If Victor hadn’t called Oz “family”, would it have changed the outcome?
Your inquiry is indeed insightful! Let me rephrase my response for better comprehension:
As a gamer, I’ve found myself in a dire situation where everyone seems to have drawn the shortest straws. Vic is gone, Sofia’s back in Arkham, and Oz’s mom has been plunged into an eternal nightmare, all thanks to The Penguin’s victory in the crime boss game. It feels like he’s triumphed by causing as much misery as he could.
My objective was to strip him of any semblance of humanity, that’s the path I chose. From the start, my narrative has been one of ascension, but it had to convey the price he paid for his decisions and successes. The character is deeply ensnared in self-deception. He keeps his mother alive, dances with Eve portraying his mother, and constructs his own version of reality about what’s acceptable – a situation that, regrettably, mirrors the actions of many people in power today who shape their worlds to suit their delusions.
Is the show labeled as a limited series still ongoing? While I’m hesitant for more because it was executed beautifully and concluded perfectly, it was also incredibly engaging, making it difficult to accept that it’s over. So, any updates about potential continuation?
My objective was to connect the narrative threads between “The Batman” and “The Batman: Part II”. I’m deeply fond of these characters, and crafting their stories has been an exhilarating journey. The universe they inhabit is captivating, brimming with possibilities for countless tales. I believe that a sequel or continuation should only be undertaken if there are compelling narratives to tell, or if we can surpass our own creative achievements. Thus, I think the sole condition for something like this to persist is when one feels confident in crafting a story that matches or exceeds the richness of what has come before.
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All of The Penguin episodes are now streaming on Max.
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2024-11-11 06:25