The season finale of HBO’s The Penguin, titled “A Great or Little Thing,” delves deep into the dark transformation of Oz Cobblepot, played by Colin Farrell. Unlike other recent portrayals of comic book villains, which often present them as anti-heroes or sympathetic figures, The Penguin focuses on Oz’s unyielding greed and ambition, showcasing him not as a hero but as a tyrant in the making.
Throughout the series’ eight episodes, we witness Oz’s complex journey through Gotham City’s criminal underworld. He takes Vic, portrayed by Rhenzy Feliz, under his wing, but their relationship takes a tragic turn. Despite their close bond—Vic even considers Oz family—Oz ultimately betrays him. This fatal decision is underscored by Oz’s traumatic past, where love and vulnerability led to his abandonment of his own brothers, showcasing his emotional detachment and ruthless survival instincts.
The finale questions the price of power and loyalty in a twisted world, highlighting Oz’s choice to eliminate Vic as a means of self-preservation. Show creator Lauren LeFranc aptly describes the scene, emphasizing that Oz’s action stems from a desire to embrace his monstrous side rather than any wrongdoing on Vic’s part. Farrell reflected on this emotional moment, stating the creative responsibility the team felt in depicting Oz as irredeemable by the conclusion of the series.
In the final moments, we are left with cliffhangers involving other significant characters, including Sofia Falcone, who finds herself back in Arkham Asylum, hinting at future confrontations. The introduction of Selina Kyle, better known as Catwoman, sets the stage for possible alliances or conflicts, given her connection to both Oz and the Falcone family.
As the season closes, gleams of Batman’s looming presence manifest with the Bat-Signal lighting up Gotham’s dark skies, teasing an inevitable confrontation between him and Oz. The show’s narrative, steeped in tragedy and moral ambiguity, leaves viewers pondering the consequences of ambition and the complexities of familial ties.
The conclusion of The Penguin serves not just as a finale but also as a launching point for future stories in this gritty universe. With the introduction of Selina Kyle and the potential return of Batman, fans can remain hopeful for more rich storytelling and character development in the upcoming projects, hinting at a greater interplay between heroism and villainy.
In summary, The Penguin encapsulates a powerful narrative that challenges our perceptions of morality within the superhero genre while setting the stage for further developments in Gotham’s criminal landscape.