Critic’s Score: 4.8 / 5.0
4.8
To say I used to be floored by The Penguin Season 1 Episode 3 can be an understatement.
I acquired so caught up on this episode that I utterly forgot to show my speaker quantity down. Between my shouts of “Holy s**t!” and my downstairs neighbor banging on the ceiling, it was chaos — however completely price it.
Truthfully, “Bliss” had so many twists and turns that it might’ve simply been a blockbuster film. I might’ve cherished to have seen it on the large display screen.
Vic Nails It!
Vic actually stunned me throughout Ozand Sofia’s drug deal. Whereas he was ready within the automotive, a cop confirmed up, and as an alternative of completely freaking out, he pulled off one thing completely surprising.
The cop took some cash from Vic’s pocket, and Vic simply rolled with it, utilizing the state of affairs to bribe him. Speak about fast considering!
It was a slick transfer that saved the entire operation from going sideways, particularly with a bag full of medicine within the automotive.
Penguin was positively pleased with him later when Vic crammed him in on what went down.
However even after that, Vic’s loyalty comes into query. He breaks ties with Ozon the nightclub, solely to save lots of Ozs ass after selecting to stroll away from his girlfriend.
It’s the sort of loyalty Ozcan’t ignore, however let’s be actual — there’s no method he’ll be “perpetually indebted.” That’s simply not how Ozoperates.
If something, it’s simply one other reminder that Ozcan snap immediately, as we noticed with Johnny Viti and Vic himself.
Positive, Vic has handled Ozs darker facet earlier than, however what’s his actual motive right here? Why does he stick round, selecting Ozover an opportunity at a traditional life together with his girlfriend?
Perhaps Vic sees extra alternative with Oz — the cash, the ability. However let’s face it, dwelling on the sting with a man like Penguin is harmful — and silly.
For his half, Ozremains to be method too hooked up to Vic for my liking.
There’s all the time that lingering chance that Vic might activate him, and after this episode, it’s clear Ozis in even deeper hassle — not simply with the Maronis however with Sofia, too.
Hell Hath No Fury!
Talking of Sofia… they left her there within the alley for a Maroni! Do you suppose she’s simply going to let that slide? Particularly after Ozs weepy apology tour? Yeah, proper.
That is positively a turning level. Ozisn’t going to make himself appear like the dangerous man, not with Sofia round.
I wouldn’t be stunned if he tried to pin the entire thing on Vic, forgetting that Vic wished to attend for her. And belief me, Sofia received’t be as forgiving as Ozhas been.
Nadia exhibiting up was wild and just about sealed Ozs destiny (It simply retains snowballing for him, doesn’t it?). His double-dealing was completely uncovered. Now, each Oz and Vic are in serious trouble.
However truthfully, Vic ought to’ve simply taken the prospect to skip city together with his girlfriend when Ozliterally let him go! So why didn’t he?
I can’t determine what both of them is considering. What I do know is that Ozs world is about to return crashing down.
All these secrets and techniques he’s been hiding — killing Castillo, visiting Maroni in jail — it’s all beginning to unravel.
And whereas Sofia may need slipped away within the chaos, if she didn’t, I might see her and Nadia teaming up with regards to coping with Oz.
Sofia’s not tied to anybody within the Falcone household, so defending them isn’t even a difficulty for her.
As a lot as I joked about Ozbeing perpetually grateful to Vic for saving him, everyone knows that’s not who Ozis. His darkness runs too deep.
Irrespective of how sympathetic he may appear generally, Vic remains to be only a plaything for him. After what went down on the nightclub, Ozcan’t belief him.
When Ozthought Vic felt like a “prisoner” in his make use of, it clearly offended him. And we all know Oz — he’s not one to let one thing like that go.
He’ll hold it at the back of his thoughts and ultimately use it towards Vic, similar to he did with the non-public info Vic shared at dinner.
Ozis making an attempt to channel Rex Calabrese, placing on this act of kindness and caring, however that’s not who he actually is — and it by no means will likely be.
These temporary flashes of vicious darkness we noticed all through the episode? That’s the true Oz, and it’ll solely worsen from right here.
An Anti-Hero or a Villain?
In our The Penguin Season 1 Episode 2 roundtable, Tyler Johnson, Thomas Godwin, Whitney Evans, and I debated whether or not Ozcould flip into an antihero. Truthfully, I nonetheless don’t suppose that’s on the desk.
There are little hints of it right here and there, however that’s not the street I see him happening. Even Colin Farrell not too long ago talked about that by the point this sequence is over, individuals will hate Oz, and I’m holding on to that.
Ozis a villain within the Batman universe, and this episode gave us extra proof of that.
You’ve acquired to keep in mind that this present is a bridge between The Batman motion pictures, and Ozmust be a formidable antagonist, even when he’s not going to be the principle one — not somebody Batman would possibly go simple on.
There are numerous theories being thrown round proper now about Ozs identify being Cobb as an alternative of Cobblepot, together with one which includes the Court docket of Owls.
In that case, Ozcould change into a redeemable character, however I don’t suppose it’s going to occur on this sequence.
We acquired glimpses of Ozs ruthless facet in The Penguin Season 1 Episode 1 with Alberto Falcone and much more in The Penguin Season 1 Episode 2 with Castillo. Now, with every episode, he’s sinking deeper into that darkness.
He went loopy with Viti (which Sofia didn’t even react to, which says rather a lot), and later, with the best way he flipped the change with Vic in that rest room scene. He meant each merciless phrase he mentioned; he wasn’t saying it out of anger.
He’s utilizing Vic, manipulating him till he’s now not wanted. When that second comes, Ozwon’t hesitate to chop him unfastened.
Vic may need killed or almost killed somebody, and Ozwill use that to his benefit, however I don’t see this ending properly for both of them.
And there’s one other downside — Vic informed his girlfriend he was scared Ozwould kill him if he tried to go away.
Extra Girls, Extra Issues
Graciela is sensible, and I wouldn’t be stunned if she assumed the worst when Vic didn’t present up on the bus station.
As soon as she’s in California, who is aware of what she’ll do? Name the cops? Attain out to somebody again in Crown Level?
Both method, it’s not trying good for Vic.
And when Ozfinds out she was in his house, all hell goes to interrupt unfastened. It’s simply another excuse for Ozto tie up that unfastened finish, irrespective of how a lot he would possibly care about Vic or see himself in him.
On the finish of the day, the one individual Ozreally cares about is Oz (and his mother).
One final thought — keep in mind that scene the place Vic is within the automotive, rehearsing how he’s going to inform Ozhe’s leaving together with his girlfriend? He made a degree to say he wasn’t a rat. Might that be some foreshadowing?
I’ve mentioned quite a few occasions that Vic isn’t from that world. That’s not who he’s, and I don’t actually suppose he desires to be.
Positive, he dealt with the cop state of affairs fairly properly, however let’s be sincere — if that cop had discovered the medication, Vic wouldn’t have been in a position to speak his method out of that one.
The actual query is, will Vic maintain up when the stress’s on? I’m not satisfied.
Ramming Ozs automotive into Nadia’s males was a daring transfer, however there’s one thing else happening with him. Take into consideration his flashbacks and the way the explosions triggered him on the nightclub.
And once more, there’s his girlfriend. She’s his unfastened finish. Perhaps he let her go to maintain her protected if Ozcame after him, particularly since he stole Ozs automotive after the nightclub incident.
However possibly he has one other plan in thoughts — and it’s not turning into Ozs companion in crime!
There are a variety of transferring elements right here, and whereas I like Vic, I feel he crossed a line when he selected to remain as an alternative of operating when he had the prospect.
Over to you, TV Fanatics! Did Sofia escape, or will she and Nadia staff up? Is Vic absolutely dedicated, or does he have one other plan? Let’s hear your ideas within the feedback under!
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