The Penguin Couldnt End Any Other Way

The Penguin Couldnt End Any Other Way

As a seasoned gamer with a heart for comic book adaptations, I must say that “The Penguin” has left quite an impact on me. It’s not often we see such a bold take on a villain’s solo story, and this gritty crime drama is a testament to that courage. The characters of Oz Cobb and Sofia Falcone are as real as they come in this genre, thanks to their intricate writing and grounded performances.


Spoilers ahead for The Penguin

“The Penguin” isn’t your typical feel-good comic book story. Currently, standalone stories for famous villains are popular, but this spin-off from Matt Reeves’ Batman universe is one of the rare exceptions that doesn’t transform a villain into an anti-hero. Instead, it offers a dark and gritty crime drama filled with moral decay. There aren’t any heroes in this story, yet the depths of darkness can still be quite striking. By the end of “The Penguin”, it’s worth reflecting on its straightforward plotline.

The strength of “The Penguin” lies in its intricate character portrayals. Characters often labeled as “comic book characters” are perceived as somewhat unrealistic. However, Oz Cobb and Sofia Falcone stand out among the best, seeming almost real-life figures on screen. Some of this authenticity stems from real-world influences, but exceptional writing takes the source material to a whole new level of impressive realism.

How does The Penguin end?

ShowrunnerLauren LeFranc
StarsColin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Conell, and Clancy Brown
Episodes8
Release DateSeptember 19, 2024
Streaming OnHBO Max

As a gamer, I must admit that “The Penguin’s” climax was a victory, yet it left me feeling more like a loser in a Batman game than any other adaptation since the disappointing quality of “Batman v. Superman”. Thanks to his ward, Vic, Oz Cobb managed to orchestrate a major overhaul of Gotham’s criminal landscape. The heads of the criminal underworld who attended Oz’s Gold Summit were taken down by their deputies, all inspired by Oz and Vic to seize power for themselves. This created an opportunity for Oz to flip the script on Sofia Falcone, sparing her life but condemning her to a worse fate: imprisonment in Arkham.

Why did Oz kill Vic?

The Penguin Couldnt End Any Other Way

In the story “The Penguin“, Vic played an essential role in saving Oz from numerous life-threatening predicaments. Besides executing the critical maneuver that rescued Oz, Vic served as a guiding influence, keeping Oz one step away from danger throughout most of the series. A sensible choice would have been to prepare him for a leadership position, utilizing his unwavering loyalty and innovative thinking to provide a child from the slums with an opportunity. This is something that Oz has always resented others for not offering him. However, instead of nurturing their alliance, he eliminates his most devoted supporter, ensuring yet another spell of loneliness for himself. On the surface, Vic appears as a valuable ally, but within Oz, he sees him as a potential weakness. Oz argues that Vic has seen too much, but it’s challenging to accept this as a genuine reason for his actions. The error Vic made was getting close enough to Oz to evoke sincere emotions in his cold and unyielding heart. Oz is so self-centered that the potential risks of having someone close outweigh the benefits of their skills. It serves as another example of how Oz’s charming facade, moving backstory, and instances of kindness are ultimately overshadowed by a core of selfishness that taints everything around him. He drew Vic into his world, taught him to navigate it, witnessed him surpass him, and then extinguished him to safeguard himself.

Where did Oz end up?

The Penguin Couldnt End Any Other Way

In numerous aspects, “The Penguin” series portrays the character from “The Batman’s” Gotham City transforming into the classic Batman adversary in this universe. The show symbolizes this transformation by depicting Oz’s progression from a lower level of his apartment building to the towering high-rise, mirroring his rise to power. This journey, as seen through Oz’s perspective, entails him eliminating all significant people in his life. His adversaries and allies meet untimely deaths or endure terrible fates. As one moves from Oz’s apartment to his high-rise, there are no unexpected twists – this is the only possible outcome of his success, Vic’s sacrifice, and more. To truly embody The Penguin, Oz must experience a life so tragic that it warrants a comic book supervillain’s origins. The brutality doesn’t cease when he inflicts it upon himself.

Among the saddest moments of The Penguin’s season, Vic’s demise stands out as particularly heartbreaking. This event appears to transform Oz Cobb into a character embodying Greek tragedy, where despite his achievements, treachery and aggression remain inherent aspects of his personality. It serves not as a lesson for Oz, but for those who might have viewed friendship in him. The Penguin’s narrative is, after all, Oz’s story, and it was destined to conclude in this tragic manner.

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2024-11-13 20:04