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And we have reached the end of Penguin. One of my favorites of the year, this last episode closes all the arcs created so far, leaving us with just a taste of what to expect in Batman 2, continuation of The Batman, Matt Reeves with Robert Pattinson like the bat.
It's worth mentioning that, like all episodes, this review contains SPOILERS, so go ahead, watch the episode and then come back here, okay?
The Penguin we know has arrived and now dominates Gotham
I said I didn't know what to expect from this last episode in the previous review and I was really surprised.. Sofia said he wanted to see Oz suffer as she did and that's what she tried to do by bringing him and his mother together Francis in the same room, knowing the story of both and making them talk about the subject.
This is where things get more interesting. We are given context that Francis I always knew that Oz She killed her brothers, but she bet all her chips on him with the hope that one day he would deliver everything he promised: a house on the terrace, luxury, money. What she didn't expect was for this to happen to her in a vegetative state.
This also goes against the very Oz. Even with everything being revealed in his face and Sofia threatening to cut off his mother's finger, he denies having killed his brothers until Francis tells him to take charge of the situation right away. It is at this point that we truly see how bad Oz Cobb ed. Sofia She is in disbelief at the situation and how he has no feelings, just playing the game in his own favor.
Francis is a key point of this last episode, too. Not just because of this scene, but when all the cards are up her sleeve, she reveals how much she hates Oz for taking her other children from her and that she had enough to give to the three of them and he didn't need to do that. She calls him the devil and even tries to kill him, but the creature is so bad that it doesn't die and after she has a stroke, she manages to escape and turn the tables on him. Sofia.
Oz He is a perfect character in the narcissist's squad. He plans everything according to what favors him and without remorse, he destroys anything that can stop him, this since he was a child, as we saw in past episodes. The peak of this is seen at the end of this episode. His mother goes into a vegetative state and Vic sees him in his most fragile state.
The two talk and everything suggests that we would have a peaceful ending between the two. But no. Vic opens up to Oz and says the family's consideration. All this so that then Oz hug him and hang him to death. Yes, we created a bond, we built everything so that in the end we would get this punch in the stomach. As if that weren't enough, Oz takes Vic's document and throws it into the sea, so that it is forgotten.
It's a tragedy, but it fits very well with the character of Oz. He is not an anti-hero, he has no good traits. He is truly the devil, as his own mother says. He thinks about his well-being and will use anyone to make it happen. And if we stop to think about it, he had already done it with Sofia 10 years ago, why wouldn't I do it again?
It is also worth mentioning that it was thanks to Vic that Link, a henchman of Zhao, managed to reach a new position, deceiving Sofia when delivering Oz to her as a final blow. It was for Vic also that Oz could have an impulse to go and talk to the councilor and suggest a partnership and finally reach his current position which places him as THE Penguin. Does it matter? Oz and I believe you already understood that.
About us Sofia, she delivered a lot by showing the true side of Oz putting him face to face with Francis, but perhaps because she had a little more humanity in her being, that's where she lost the battle. She thought she was guaranteed victory, but she didn't count on the possibility of other people being like her. Oz, betraying their leaders.
At this point, I understand the point of these people killing their leaders and taking their place, after all Oz sold them this possibility of change, with the speech of being the “man of the people”, of the suffering, of the poor. Thanks to this, Sofia take a hit and Oz, instead of killing her, uses his influence to send her back to prison.
It's a pretty heavy ending for her, since she tried literally everything to stand out in Gotham and all that was left was to go back to prison, guilty of some crimes she didn't commit, but also to pay for some of her sins. What's interesting about this scene is that she receives a letter from none other than Selina Kyle, our Catwoman, which could open doors for a possible spin-off, perhaps?
Finally, it is important to remember that this type of production generally works on the story of a character who is initially good, but who, as the story progresses, becomes bad. The Godfather e Breaking Bad. are some examples. Here, we see this happening with Sofia Falcone, but we have a difference with Oz, after all it was always bad and ends up even worse.
The series gets the tone right to show all these facets and doesn't let us fall into the temptation of wanting Oz as a hero. He is a villain and perhaps the most scoundrel of the rogues gallery of Batman and we had the opportunity to see this in detail in the series.
It is worth mentioning that we finally see the character with his classic outfit, with an elegant suit and top hat, now only missing an umbrella with some device, be it a shotgun or any other creativity that Matt Reeves wants to add.
Although we didn't see the bat, the episode ends showing the mansion of Oz, dancing with Eve, dressed in Francis in the style of Captain Pátria of bizarreness and when showing the city, we get a glimpse of the Bat-signal, giving us that taste of what can come in Batman 2.
Actuations
This is the episode of Colin Farrell. With scenes full of fury, drama and action, the actor managed to deliver a solid character worthy of all the evil that O Penguin demands. Not only in words, but how the actor moves his eyes, even with all that makeup, is excellent.
Cristin Milioti Once again, she has her highlights and although it's not an episode for her, I have to emphasize how good it is to see when she can change her expressions from one scene to another. When she has the advantage, we can see that evil inside, but it's also possible to see how dejected she was when she returned to prison. She was counting on death and having to return to Arkham destroyed her.
Vic also ends his character very well. Before his tragic end, we have great moments with him making a difference, showing his face, whether in dramatic moments or even more humorous ones. And of course, Rhenzy Felix deserves to be highlighted for lending credibility to his death.
Finally, it is worth highlighting Deirdre O'Connell as Francis. Her character is a sick and tired character and we see all of this conveyed in a spectacular way, whether with screams, swear words, drama and soul-rending confessions.
Technical aspects
I would like to highlight the costumes and sets in this last episode. As always, Sofia He's always wearing a new outfit, always something different. Regarding the sets, it's incredible how well they've communicated in the last few episodes. Monroe's, place where Oz was supposed to have died as a child, is brought back here as the final scene between him and Francis, now destroyed and abandoned due to the flood of The Batman.
Things have continuity, whether it's injuries, dirt, destroyed scenery or locations, ensuring total immersion. The direction and script are also masterful here. This is true for the entire series, but if there wasn't cohesion in these aspects to close the arc of these characters, this could have been a very weak ending, which fortunately didn't happen.
Soundtrack
Mick Giachinno also signs the last episode with the original soundtrack and different from the previous episode, in this one it was quite exciting. Whether for the moments of greater tension or for the action, it was super important and even referred to the theme of The Batman in some moments.
It is also worth mentioning the music Where did you sleep last night? Played in a scene of Sofia when she decides to set fire to her house. The music fits the scene and also the personality of Sofia at that moment. I really liked it.
Conclusion
And that brings us to the end of this saga. Penguin consolidates itself as another of the great series of HBO and for me, one of the best of the year, with Arcane e Fallout . Interestingly, they are all adaptations of games and comics. The ending was right up there, answering questions and giving us the villain that Batman need to have.
The plot, the text, the characters, all of this was done with excellence and is a pleasure to watch, creating in us a certain bond with some characters and aversion to others. She does all this and still shows us a little of the path that awaits us in Batman 2, set to premiere in October 2th, 2026.
Where to watch
The series was shown on Sundays on the pay channel HBO and by subscription service MAX. All of them are available as long as you have a subscription.
Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 11 / 11 / 2024.
REVIEW: Penguin: Final Episode
REVIEW: Penguin: Final Episode-
Episode Review10/10 Excellent
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