The Penguin draws to a close with an exceptional final episode that will leave you flabbergasted. Here’s our spoiler-free episode 8 review.
HBO’s The Penguin has reached its final episode, and what an episode it is. The series has been very strong from the start, but the finale takes the cake. It takes in twists and turns, but what’s more important, it finally manages to crack the character of Oz in an unprecedented way, something we saw a glimpse of last week.
Speaking of last week, the episode’s opening – which portrayed Oz as a youngster who locked his two brothers in a sewer to die – was rather phenomenal, wouldn’t you say? Episode 8 brings back Ryder Allen as young Oz once more as the future of Gotham is on the line this week.
When first announced, The Penguin was sold as a series that observed Oz’s rise to power, which sort of gives away the ending. We also know that the series will directly lead to The Batman Part II, but even with all of this, I found myself staring at the screen, jaw on the floor, in awe. There are nice little nods to the larger The Batman universe, but they don’t feel distracting or intrusive. They’re subtle winks rather than self-congratulatory disruptions.
Episode 8 of The Penguin starts with another flashback. I won’t go into detail here, but I do want to highlight the work of Deirdre O’Connell across the series. Much of the attention has been on Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti, but O’Connell has been thoroughly captivating as well. Episode 8 allows her to tap into more complex emotions around her son as The Penguin further explores the past and its effects in the present day.
The Penguin has fluidly moved between a lot of different themes and focal points, but as it draws to a close, I’m most convinced this is a series about a son obsessed with his mother and always trying to impress her, even if it kills him. Or her, for that matter.
While Sofia’s arc feels a little secondary, but strong, it’s Vic who is most short-changed by the finale. Rhenzy Feliz’s character started out as one of the most interesting parts of the show, but his role has been reduced greatly in the last few episodes and the finale doesn’t give him much to do. Based on what we’ve seen though, Feliz is definitely a talent to watch in the future.
What The Penguin also excels in is how it portrays Oz. If Agatha All Along struggled to keep Agatha as a villain, The Penguin never has us doubt that Oz is the bad guy in his own TV show. Episode 8 really drives that point home while also allowing us at least some insight into why he’s the villain he is. Oz isn’t misunderstood, nor is he an anti-hero with a heart of gold, but an evil man with only his own interests at heart. The show even dares to ask if this is something you’re simply born with; maybe you come into the world completely wicked.
Like most TV shows and films these days, The Penguin leaves things a little open at end so the option to do another series or to bring people back outside of The Batman Part II is there. Thankfully, there’s just enough conclusion to make the series feel complete, but it’s hard to say if certain plot turns are dictated by a very large studio requiring the ability to bring characters back.
The Penguin is likely to end up on a lot of ‘Best of 2024’ lists, as it should. Lauren LeFranc’s show is not just a new high for comic book adaptations but an impressive feat of storytelling and character development.
The Penguin episode 8 is available now.
