As a fan who has followed Sofia Falcone’s journey from the very first episode of The Penguin, I must say that Cristin Milioti’s portrayal of this complex character is nothing short of exceptional. The way her backstory unfolds, piece by piece, is a masterclass in storytelling, and it’s hard not to feel a pang of empathy for Sofia as she navigates the treacherous waters of the Gotham criminal underworld.
In the crime-ridden underworld of Gotham depicted in The Penguin, it’s Cristin Milioti’s character, Sofia Falcone, whose backstory steals the spotlight. Specifically, in Episode 4 titled “Cent’anni,” we discover that a decade ago, Sofia’s father, Carmine (played by Mark Strong), was warned by Oz about Sofia sharing information with a reporter concerning his method of strangling women and falsifying evidence to make it appear as hangings. This revelation led to Sofia being framed for her father’s crimes and institutionalized in Arkham Asylum, earning the moniker “The Hangman” from the media.
In addition, it was also revealed that another character, Sofia’s mother, Isabella (Jenny Heaton), met a similar fate by hanging. This detail is shared in Episode 5, titled “Homecoming.” Johnny Vitti (Michael Kelly), a key figure in the Falcone crime family, provides further insights into Isabella’s death. The show doesn’t explicitly state the circumstances surrounding her death, nor does it explain how Sofia chose to remember her mother’s legacy and disregard her father’s wishes. Let’s delve deeper to uncover these mysteries.
What Really Happened to Sofia‘s Mother?
Sofia discovered that her mother had passed away at a very young age, under tragic circumstances. Over time, she came to believe that her mother had chosen to end her own life. That fateful evening, it was Sofia who stumbled upon her mother’s lifeless body, hanging in her room. Carmine quickly intervened and shielded his eyes with his glasses when Sofia attempted to look further, concealing a bruise he had sustained. However, the details of that night are somewhat hazy for Sofia.
When asked by reporter Summer Gleeson (Nadine Malouf), memories of her mother’s death resurface for Sofia. Notably, her mother had defensive wounds on her hands, similar to the victims linked to Sofia’s father in Gleeson’s accusations. Unfortunately, Carmine was already deceased by the time Sofia regained her freedom from Arkham. However, with this revelation, Sofia now believes that Carmine was responsible for her mother’s death. Moreover, she realizes that it was Carmine who had sent her to Arkham initially, claiming her mental instability. In an attempt to discredit Sofia, he even went so far as to have the rest of her family write testimonials supporting his false claims, labeling her as mentally ill enough to commit the crimes for which he was accused. Only her brother Alberto (Michael Zegen) stood by her side during this ordeal.
Furthermore, Sofia learned additional details about her mother from Johnny Vitti, who is Isabella’s cousin and held a high position under boss Carmine. Vitti played a significant role in the relationship between Carmine and Isabella as he was the one who introduced them. Although Carmine initially felt smitten, their relationship eventually soured. Isabella attempted to leave Carmine but found it difficult due to Sofia and Alberto. When Isabella tried again, she took the children with her. She told Sofia and Alberto that they were going on a trip, but in reality, she was leaving Carmine. It is important to note that Johnny claims he had arranged a car for her just a few blocks away. However, instead of Isabella leaving Carmine, it was Johnny who ended her life.
How Sofia Takes Over the Falcone Crime Family
In response to queries about why Johnny persisted in working for Carmine after murdering his cherished cousin, it appears Johnny is at a loss for an explanation. However, Sofia manages to sustain Johnny’s life. This differs from the other influential members of the Falcone family, whom she had eliminated before, making it seem like a gas leak accident. Yet, Johnny proposes to help her amass power and wealth, and he seems to follow through. He gathers the remaining Falcone crime family members who have not yet been “made” to Sofia’s residence to meet her.
In response to Sofia revealing that her family had killed her mother, just as they had done to her mother before, and announcing a change from the Falcone family to the Gigante family, Johnny appears puzzled. However, it’s clear that Sofia has other matters on her mind than showing gratitude towards Johnny. In a swift act of retribution for his role in her mother’s murder, Sofia suddenly shoots Johnny point-blank.
In simpler terms, Sofia makes it clear to her new associates that they won’t be used like disposable resources as her previous family did. To show her appreciation for their efforts, she places a sum of money on the table for them. Since her father and other family members never acknowledged their hard work, this gesture speaks volumes. After allowing the men to keep the money, it appears that this act is enough to convince them to join the Gigante family. Essentially, Sofia assumes control over the business and rebrands the family under a new name, all at once.
I may not be the most admirable character, but on the gritty show The Penguin, I serve as something of a lead figure. Given this role, it’s tough not to find myself cheering her on. After enduring years of mistreatment at the hands of my family, I’m finally seeing justice served, though it seems I must cross some lines to achieve it.
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2024-10-26 01:01