Whereas The Penguin Season 1 Episode 2 confirmed off the writers’ knack for white-knuckle suspense, this week’s installment slowed issues down a bit and put the main focus again on the characters and their backstories.
In fact, The Penguin Season 1 Episode 3 nonetheless provided loads of high-stakes drama, notably in its wildly sudden conclusion.
TV Fanatic writers Lisa Babick, Whitney Evans, and Thomas Godwin mentioned that game-changing ending in addition to what may come subsequent for Oz, Sofia, and Vic on this week’s spherical desk dialogue. Have a look:
After a twisty and chaotic second episode, The Penguin Season 1 Episode 3 slowed down a bit (no less than till the top).
We obtained into the logistics of Ozand Sofia’s partnership, and we realized quite a bit about what motivates Vic. What had been your largest takeaways from all that character growth?
Lisa: I beloved how this episode gave us a deeper look into the characters, particularly with the dynamics between Oz, Sofia, and Vic. For me, one of many largest takeaways was seeing Ozs attachment to Vic deepen and the way that’s going to complicate issues down the road.
Ozmight attempt to play the function of the calculating wanna-be crime boss, however his feelings slip by way of, particularly with regards to Vic.
The toilet scene is an ideal instance. We’ve talked about this earlier than, nevertheless it’s virtually like he sees a little bit of himself in Vic, however that’s additionally what makes Vic such a harmful unfastened finish for him.
Vic’s motivations actually stood out, too. At first, it appeared like he was sticking round purely out of loyalty or perhaps worry, however after this episode, you possibly can inform he’s taking part in his personal sport. His fast considering with the cop throughout the drug deal confirmed us he’s extra resourceful than we’d’ve anticipated.
However is that sufficient to outlive in Ozs world? I’m undecided, particularly with the best way Ozmanipulates and makes use of everybody round him. Vic’s obtained some smarts, however whether or not or not he’s lower out for this world stays the massive query.
The partnership between Ozand Sofia is one other fascinating layer. Sofia’s clearly not somebody to be messed with, and whereas they may seem to be companions now, I wouldn’t be shocked if Ozstarts distancing himself from her quickly, particularly now that he screwed her over, leaving her within the alley.
He gained’t be capable of speak himself out of it, not solely as a result of he left her there but in addition as a result of his duplicity with Maronis got here to gentle. Ozis a traitor, and Sofia isn’t going to let that go, particularly as a result of he’s betrayed her earlier than — she’s going to rank Ozright up there with the opposite “outdated males.”
Whitney: Ozis the star of this present, and I really like seeing completely different sides of him. I really like seeing how he thinks of his ft, but in addition how simply he will be triggered, like within the scene with Johnny Viti.
He was hitting each single one among Ozs insecurities, and if Sofia hadn’t been there they usually didn’t want one thing from him, we may have simply seen an Alberto 2.0.
The connection between Ozand Vic additionally hit that time you knew it was all the time going to achieve. Vic hasn’t precisely had one foot out the door, however he’s additionally by no means been as invested as Ozwould have preferred.
With Garciela, he was lastly capable of hear from somebody he beloved in regards to the life he was entering into, and he did waver, and it did power him to select.
I’m undecided if that is finally the life for Vic, however this was such a fantastic episode to flesh his character out extra and provides a lot higher perception into who he’s and that pull inside him.
Thomas: Vic doesn’t have a household or a objective anymore, and it’s not stunning that he selected the Penguin over a possible love curiosity, even when he struggled with it all through the episode.
Ozoffers him one thing he can’t get anyplace else — a mentorship/fatherhood bond versus the digital unknown of hopping on the bus and hitting the street.
Vic sees a chance for one thing greater than only a stuttering child who misplaced every thing, and Ozsees a little bit of himself in Vic. The most important takeaway is that the rumors could also be true, and we’re seeing the HBOMax model of Victor Zsasz, a very nasty killer within the comics who lacks empathy for his victims.
The writers appear taken with exploring the parallels between Oz, Sofia, and Vic. What do you make of the methods through which they’ve all been formed by their troublesome household conditions?
Lisa: The household dynamics are actually attention-grabbing on this episode, and I believe it’s one of many strongest elements of the writing. All three – Oz, Sofia, and Vic – have been formed by their households, however in very other ways. For Oz, we all know his attachment to his mom is central to his character.
It drives a variety of his selections and, truthfully, his ruthlessness. He’s attempting to be the crime boss, however you possibly can inform he’s nonetheless influenced by that relationship, which makes him unpredictable. It’s virtually like he’s attempting to show himself as somebody highly effective whereas nonetheless holding on to that familial loyalty.
Sofia, then again, is straight-up calculating. The entire drug concept was hers, which reveals simply how sensible and rebellious she is. Coming from the Falcone household, it’s clear that rising up in that world has hardened her.
Her emotional vulnerability comes from being fed up along with her household treating her like a fragile, damaged china doll. Whereas it’s not the identical form of vulnerability we see in Oz, it’s much more harmful.
She’s obtained nothing and nobody to guard, so her anger drives her revenge. However like Oz, she is aware of learn how to use individuals to her benefit, and that’s what makes her such a harmful participant.
Then there’s Vic, who’s utterly out of his depth as compared. His household state of affairs appears to be his Achilles’ heel. Dropping his dad and mom to Riddler’s insanity has clearly left a mark on him, and whereas he’s resourceful, I believe his household trauma could be driving him in methods he hasn’t totally processed but.
Is he sticking round for survival, or is there one thing deeper — like revenge? It’s attention-grabbing how the writers are weaving in these household parts to form their motivations, and it feels prefer it’s solely going to get messier from right here.
Whitney: There’s nonetheless quite a bit we don’t find out about Oz, nevertheless it’s secure to say with the little we’ve seen of him and Francis, there’s a fierce devotion there.
And there’s a need to be one thing his mom will be pleased with, in no matter type which may be. It’s clear that attempting to be any individual is probably crucial factor for Ozto perform, and I stay up for diving into his previous extra to totally see the place that comes from.
Sofia feels a bit misplaced typically but in addition simply cussed and determined to make up for misplaced time. She’s holding onto a variety of resentment and it’s apparent that she feels alone and could be very a lot conscious that she’s alone.
Exterior of Alberto, I doubt she’s trusted anybody in her household for a very long time, and she or he’s kind of adrift. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how she continues to make a reputation for herself outdoors of the household, whereas additionally nonetheless needing the Falcone title to make severe strikes in Gotham.
Vic’s story looks like one we’ve seen earlier than. This episode jogged my memory that Vic misplaced his household not that way back, and he’s nonetheless very a lot grieving whereas additionally attempting to maneuver ahead as a result of he doesn’t actually have a alternative. However like Lisa talked about, is there one thing deeper occurring?
Thomas: Complicated characters could make or break a narrative, however The Penguin finds a stable stability between character constructing and transferring the plot alongside. The restaurant scene is a bit overdone, particularly since Ozhas already prolonged his affidavit on life beforehand.
However a part of what makes The Penguin so enthralling is the convergence of backgrounds. Vic comes from a loving household, whereas Ozis the product of an overbearing mom obsessive about convincing her son that he’s caught in a black-and-white world — all or nothing, fail or succeed.
We all know a few of Sofia’s background as nicely, however discovering out how Bliss was used to maintain her sedated and sedentary all through her time in Arkham provides a somewhat ghastly facet to her background. All three backgrounds are a bit completely different, particularly the place Vic is worried, but it appears all trails result in the felony underworld of Gotham Metropolis.
The episode title, “Bliss,” clearly refers back to the latest drug on Gotham’s membership scene. Do you suppose it utilized to any of the opposite storylines as nicely?
Lisa: Yeah, whereas “Bliss” is clearly the title of the brand new drug in Gotham, I believe the title suits a variety of what’s occurring beneath the floor for the characters too. Oz, for instance, is chasing his personal model of bliss—energy and management.
He’s obtained this twisted sense of success when he’s pulling the strings and manipulating everybody round him. However we all know that’s not actual “bliss,” it’s simply momentary. The cracks are already displaying, and as a lot as he’s attempting to be this calculating and sensible wanna-be crime lord, you possibly can see that his want for management is a form of dependancy in itself.
For Vic, “bliss” could be the phantasm of freedom or the concept that he can nonetheless carve out a life for himself, separate from the mess he’s discovered himself in.
He had a shot to go away, however as a substitute, he’s staying on this harmful world. Perhaps he thinks he’s near discovering his personal model of bliss — whether or not that’s revenge or safety — however I really feel like that’s going to slide away from him fairly shortly.
Sofia, then again, appears utterly tired of any form of bliss. She’s all about energy and survival, and I believe that makes her lethal. For her, there’s no phantasm of happiness or success, simply the chilly, exhausting actuality of getting what she needs.
So yeah, the title could be in regards to the drug, nevertheless it actually faucets into what every character is chasing—whether or not that’s energy, management, and even revenge.
Whitney: Bliss actually appears to be what Ozis after. He’s hellbent on being a significant participant in Gotham, somebody who instructions respect, like Carmine, somebody he presumably studied and appeared as much as. Of all of the characters, he’s the one most wanting and dealing towards discovering a kind of bliss to deliver objective to his life.
Thomas: Like most unlawful narcotics, Bliss comes at a value. Whereas the unwanted effects of Bliss aren’t explicitly referenced, it’s a superb analogy for the lives of Oz, Sofia, and Vic as they wrestle to achieve the highest.
Each celebratory second, success, and triumph is fleeting. Vic enjoys basking within the limelight as Ozs bagman proper earlier than having a PTSD meltdown. Sofia and Ozpatch issues up after making a profitable deal, solely to search out themselves on their knees, dealing with the fallacious finish of a gun.
In fact, the largest headline from this episode is that wild ending. What do you suppose occurred to Sofia? And if Ozreally ditched her, what does that imply for his or her partnership?
Lisa: That ending was intense, proper? Vic ramming the automotive into Nadia’s males was a daring transfer, however what actually stood out was Ozs choice to ditch Sofia. If she survived—and truthfully, it’s exhausting to think about she didn’t—there’s no manner she’s going to let that slide.
Sofia’s not somebody you permit behind with out penalties. Ozcould be considering he’s defending himself or making a strategic transfer, but when he did depart her to fend for herself, that might utterly shatter their partnership.
Ozhas been strolling a high quality line, attempting to govern everybody round him, however ditching Sofia may simply be the step that pushes her to activate him — once more.
She’s already obtained her personal agenda, and now that Ozhas proven he’s keen to throw her below the bus when it fits him, their belief — if there ever was any — is gone. I wouldn’t be shocked if Sofia begins plotting her revenge and even groups up with another person to take Ozdown — like Nadia, for instance. She’s sensible, calculating, and now, she’s pissed.
As for Vic, his choice to drive off after the hit reveals he’s in deep with Oz, though he wished to attend for Sofia.
It’s clear that he’s trapped on this world now, and I don’t suppose Ozsees him as something greater than a pawn. Vic’s loyalty goes to return again to chunk him, and with Sofia on the warpath, issues are about to get messy.
Whitney: I questioned if perhaps the Maronis took Sofia, and if that’s the case, Ozought to be totally uncovered after 3 minutes alone with one among them.
But when that’s not the case, and she or he made it out of there with out anybody catching her, she’ll be much more turned off from Ozthan she already is. Irrespective of how {smooth} his phrases are, Sofia doesn’t belief that man in any respect.
His willingness to only depart her there, AFTER being known as out by Nadia, will solely present her that Ozis hiding issues and solely about saving himself.
Their partnership lasted a whopping day, which is form of spectacular when you concentrate on it.
Thomas: The Ozand Sofia pairing is likely one of the only components of episode three, and it might be a disgrace if all of it got here crashing down this early within the sport.
Then once more, these aren’t the type of people that assist the aged cross a busy intersection. It was solely a matter of time earlier than Sofia and Ozs newfound felony relationship reached its conclusion. Nonetheless, I’m betting Ozs extraordinary smooth-talking skills will soothe issues over in episode 4.
In a manner, the ending was Vic’s best hour. However it was additionally the form of evening he may look again on with remorse for the remainder of his life. What did you consider his choice to stay in Gotham and keep on with Oz?
Lisa: Vic staying in Gotham and sticking with Ozis certainly a choice he’s going to remorse. Certain, within the second, it’d really feel like his best hour — he’s considering on his ft, saving Ozs pores and skin, and proving himself. However the deeper he will get into this world, the extra harmful it turns into for him.
He had an opportunity to go away together with his girlfriend and begin over, however by staying, he’s chosen to tie himself to a man like Oz, who’s solely going to make use of him till he’s now not helpful.
I believe Vic is caught between desirous to show he can survive on this world and realizing deep down that he’s not lower out for it.
He’s already proven he could make fast selections, like bribing the cop and taking out Nadia’s males, however the price of staying loyal to Ozgoes to meet up with him. Vic’s not from this life, and I don’t suppose he’s totally realized simply how deep he’s in. By selecting to remain, he’s crossed a line, and there’s no going again now.
This was an enormous second for Vic, however I really feel just like the remorse goes to return later as soon as he begins to see simply how ruthless Ozwill be. He may’ve saved Ozfor now, however that loyalty is a double-edged sword, and I don’t suppose it’s going to finish nicely for him.
Whitney: That is the form of story the place you already know that nobody’s actually going to get a contented ending, so certain, Vic will find yourself regretting this, however within the second, it was badass. He considered his ft, and he did what wanted to be completed to guard the one that could also be sadistically merciless at occasions however has had his again.
Vic’s in such a predicament as a result of he’s emotionally susceptible, and Ozs concepts and confidence are so alluring that you may virtually see the imaginative and prescient in entrance of him.
Vic attempting to persuade himself typically to imagine Oz. However he’s nonetheless so uncertain of himself and his place. Saving Ozwill solely strengthen the mentor/mentee dynamic between the 2, and I’m wondering how a lot Vic will reap the benefits of studying from somebody like Oz.
Thomas: What pursuits me most in regards to the closing scene is how Vic appears at Ozfrom right here on out. He is aware of how Ozis devoted to this whole charade to be able to elevate himself.
However, there must be some consequence in watching Ozinstantly select self-preservation when extra than simply his personal life is on the road. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if Ozs leaving Sofia behind has any bearing on Vic’s view of him.
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