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The Penguin is a new series, on HBO Max re-introducing the audience back to Oswald Cobb/The Penguin (Colin Farrell). It wastes no time into finding out what Oz has been doing since the film, The Batman. In the opening, Oz is raiding the home of Alberto Falcone (Michael Zegen), the son of Carmine Falcone.
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
One note for the series, is that Carmine Falcone originally played by John Turturro, has now been recasted by Mark Strong. Oz ends up having a conversation with Alberto, and Alberto insults Oz. By the end of that conversation, he is killed. Oz ends up taking Alberto’s ring, which is important later on in the episode.
Already, Oz’s character is of one that is similar to another show “The Sopranos” with this mob mentality mindset . Oz ends up cleaning up Alberto, and stuffing him into a car. When Oz is on his way out, he meets this teenager that he catches trying to steal the wheels of his car. Oz’s car is notably purple, a nod to Oz’s main color that is displayed in the comics.
The boy is named Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz) who becomes Oz’s assistant as he deals with the consequences killing Alberto. He noticeably has a stutter, and I think that is why Oz didn’t hurt Victor. When Oz takes off his boot, it’s revealed he has club foot, and his toes are deformed. That’s why Oz has the famous waddle, as he walks.
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Since Oz is in trouble, he takes Victor to go and see his mother. Francis Cobb (Dieidre O’Connell) immediately makes the audience understand why Oz does what he does. She needs medicine to control her own mental health issues. Francis gets in an argument with Oz, and says that he is a strong man and don’t be nothing less of it. I can’t use the actual word, but go back and see what she says.
Oz goes to meet someone in prison, he meets Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown). Oz wants to not work with the Falcone’s anymore, he wants to work with the Maroni’s. Salvatore is hesitant, not until Oz tosses him Alberto’s ring. Salvatore is asking where Oz got this, and Oz explained he’s capable of anything.
In the middle of the episode, we meet Carmine Falcone’s daughter, Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti). Sofia is concerned about her brother who goes missing. Oz tries to reassure her that he will show up. Sofia is skeptical, and being that she spent some time in Arkham Asylum, she wants to catch up with Oz with dinner. Sofia has got to be my favorite performance, because she figures out that Oz might have something to do with Alberto’s disappearance, and ends up capturing Oz.
This show does not shy away from torture, and Sofia strips Oz of his clothes, and tortures him, making his arm start to bleed. Suddenly a car crashes into the front of the Falcone mansion. Revealing that Alberto has been stuffed in the trunk, and his pinky finger is missing.
This show is amazing, it provides a lengthy inside look into Oz’s mindset. I’m hopeful for the next seven episodes, some compelling storytelling. Especially due to Matt Reeves executive producing, and the writing team. I am excited to also learn more about Sofia, Victor, and even Salvatore. I also am giving praise to the sets and the makeup design for Colin Ferrell’s Oz.
I give this show a 10/10.
The Penguin airs on HBO Max every Sunday 9 p.m. PT/ET starting Sept. 29th, 2024
