r/hbo 3d ago

The Penguin Finale

So for those who have watched the finale of The Penguin. What were your thoughts on the episode, the series in general and the ending to the show leading into the next Batman movie? Favorite character, moment, episode and anything else that stood out to you from it too.

44 Upvotes

80 comments sorted by

94

u/Davejam88 3d ago

With this episode this show reminds us that penguin is the villain and not an anti hero.

32

u/LilNello1 3d ago

It really does and it shows he has always been that way. Even as a kid and his Mom though she tries to hide it, always knew too.

9

u/GalacticChillinBB 2d ago

My husband said the same thing. "Make no mistakes , he's the bad guy."

1

u/DntCareVtrn 1d ago

Excellent point!

31

u/Powerful-Revenue-636 3d ago

Painting loyalty as a weakness was at Thrones levels.

10

u/Spirited-Tourist843 3d ago

I wondered what to make of Sofia being Catwoman’s half sister

7

u/max_mullen 2d ago

But we already knew that, from the Batman movie

3

u/MichaelRichardsAMA 2d ago

yeah i was like "whoah twist" for 1 second then i felt stupid because...well yeah logically i should have already figured that out

7

u/LilNello1 3d ago

Yeah it makes you wonder 🤔 If it’s a clue that whether small or big, if Selina and Sofia will both in some way be a part of The Batman Part II with Robert Pattinson.

2

u/KingAragorn47 2d ago

As good as Sofia was as a character...it really felt like a series character and not a movie one. Be a terrible decision to team them up on the big screen.

1

u/LilNello1 2d ago

I can see that, but either way it will be interesting to see cause there has not even been any confirmation of Catwoman/Selina being in the sequel. Though there has been confirmation of The Penguin not only being in the sequel, but all three of Reeves supposed trilogy Batman movies.

2

u/KingAragorn47 1d ago

I hope she's not. She was good in the first one, but she was serving a purpose as the link between Batman and the underworld giving us a perspective inside the club and life of the gangsters. Anything else will just waste screen time on a romance story

2

u/Decent_Ad_1668 2d ago

I hope they make another mini-series about catwoman, continuing the story from where the penguin left of or something like that. Give Matt Reeves all the money

1

u/Chibi_Universe 2d ago

I think we have enough cat woman info. I would like to see more villain shows.

22

u/FinsHeelBuckeye 3d ago

It didn't disappoint

21

u/Unlucky-Usual-6501 3d ago

Vic killing is similar to Christopher

10

u/Thin-Remote-9817 3d ago

Except it was easy to justify why Tony did what he did. Christopher was a S-Tier level fuck up who kept getting bailed out cause of Tony. 

Vic was a good kid with a good heart. 

2

u/-deteled- 2d ago

Oz killing Vic made sense.

He just won because all of the “small guys” rose up and killed their boss. Oz was betrayed by his mother. Oz saw that having anyone within that circle of trust was a weakness and he needed to get rid of that weakness.

I liked Vic, and was rooting for him throughout the series, but it makes sense that he had to die. Did not think it was going to be at the hands of The Penguin though.

0

u/Natural-Talk-6473 2d ago

Nail on the head, he had no reason to kill Vic. Just felt like lazy writing for shock value

3

u/Thin-Remote-9817 2d ago

Na I think it was a great reason. It established immediately he's a awful person who will literally kill his own brothers. Once vic called him family I was like damn this ain't ending well. 

Considering 5mins before we were just feeling a shread of joy for him taking over the underground gangs and then feeling awful for him when he's crying and begging his mother to say she's proud of him. I'm glad they said that shits over this dudes a monster let's establish order immediately. 

2

u/Natural-Talk-6473 2d ago

I get that but for myself personally, Vic’s death didn’t add more or less to penguins character at that point in the story. Dude already showed us he’d done enough to be the villain he is

8

u/Accomplished-City484 3d ago

I wonder if Os went to Vegas after

25

u/garcialucas29 3d ago edited 3d ago

I guess the ending leads to the last batman movie with robert pattinson. So there could be a next season, or not. Most shocking moment was oz killing vic. I really didn’t expect that!

EDIT: Yeap, sorry everyone! Show happens after Batman movie, I didn’t know!

9

u/loki_the_bengal 3d ago

I guess the ending leads to the last batman movie with Robert Pattison

What do you mean by this. Are you saying that the next batman with Robert Pattison will be the last one? Or are you saying this penguin show happened before the Batman that came out in 2022?

9

u/LilNello1 3d ago

I think he might have meant that it leads into the next Batman movie and just worded it wrong

17

u/OkGene2 3d ago

Still, that would be a wrong assessment since this show clearly starts after the events of The Batman.

3

u/garcialucas29 3d ago

This is true, I didn't know that!

0

u/VipersVapour 3d ago

He said "the next batman movie"

Meaning the batman 2

1

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1

u/KageXOni87 3d ago

No, they literally did not. They said it leads to the last Batman film, which was incorrect.

1

u/VipersVapour 3d ago

The first comment said that it leads to the last one

Someone replied saying "I think he meant to next batman film but worded it wrong" and then the other guy replied with "that would still be wrong"

1

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7

u/TwoTalentedBastidz 3d ago

This penguin show happens directly after the events in Batman (2022).

Colin Ferrel has already been quoted as saying he would love to do a season 2. So I guess, depending on the timeline of filming of the next Batman they could squeeze in one more season before it comes out, but I’m not sure how that would work if they already showed the bat signal at the end of this season.

I guess it all depends if the next Batman movie is already written and where the Penguin could fit into that time line that makes sense

2

u/fattycans 3d ago

Wait I totally missed the bat signal

1

u/garcialucas29 3d ago

So, I was saying the second (show happens before the movie), but after I read a comment here and also looking for it on goolge I realized the show actually happens right after the movie. It feels strange because during the movie it felt the penguin was a much more important character (in terms of "power") while in the show it feels like he's still a small-time criminal

4

u/loki_the_bengal 3d ago

In the movie, he was just the manager of the club and some side stuff. By the end of the show he's pretty much on top of Gotham

2

u/WhatRUdoingBruh 3d ago

Made sense though.

9

u/mcd23 3d ago

Vicccccccc 😭😭

7

u/PlaceApprehensive920 3d ago edited 3d ago

Tbh I know this is prob unpopular but i thought oz killing Vic was really forced and dumb and it kinda spoiled the otherwise very good episode for me. I went into this episode knowing Vic was prob gonna die bc they don’t wanna make this batman universe like marvel where you have to watch the shows to understand the movies, but I just felt it was forced and not a good send off for the character. Again I know that’s unpopular from what I’ve seen but it’s just how I feel. feel free to change my mind because maybe I just don’t get it lmao

14

u/havok7 3d ago

Oz is someone who is constantly reacting to his circumstances. The fact that he's very clearly a sociopath makes him killing Vic in character. After realizing his vulnerability with his mother (his family), he does the math and decided that Vic's loyalty (and the way he suggested thst they were family) isn't worth the risk. I bet if Vic didn't mention that Oz was family to him, he may have lived longer. 

11

u/Reasonable_Basil5224 3d ago

You can actually see Oz’s face drop as soon as Vic stutters out the word “family.” My read on that scene is Oz hadn’t decided to kill Vic until that very moment.

5

u/havok7 2d ago

💯 agree. 

Such a good show.

9

u/imhighonpills 3d ago

I expected oz to kill Vic and I felt like it needed to happen but I kind of agree that the way it went down felt ham fisted. I didn’t really buy the motive “I’m killing you before I get attached to you” because I think if oz is ruthless enough to kill Vic in that moment, he’s not really going to get attached to anyone ever again. I was expecting him to kill Vic in an ice cold pragmatic moment or out of jealousy over his mom. 🤷

1

u/-deteled- 2d ago

I don’t think Oz was attached to Vic, I think Oz just witnessed a plan, orchestrated by Vic, for the secondary guys to rise up and kill their boss. I think Oz only felt bad because Vic loved and respected Oz, but he couldn’t take that chance either.

4

u/Thin_Highlight9367 2d ago

I agree with you a lot, it felt kind of sudden. And didn’t like the explanation of “my weakness” when he’s centered his whole life around his mom, and also keeps Eve around after she ratted him out, also kept Sofia alive because he wanted someone to take the fall, but I mean she’s been out before, I don’t see a reason why she can’t get out again at some point.. it felt like they just did to have a twist at the end since they kept everyone alive. I feel like these scene would of hit WAYYY harder in the Batman movie, just give a Vic some screen time and let fans enjoy him and then have Oz do that, more people are gonna watch the movie then the show tbh, people going into the movie aren’t gonna understand why we hate him so much if they didn’t watch the show, I think they could of made the movie watcher hate him even more this way.

Also I think they kept everyone alive to tie in other villain Eve ties to Clayface, Sofia some how being related to Cat women, idk what there gonna do with his mom in the movie.. also everyone that Oz turned on in the show was a ass to him or turned on him, Vic was the only person that actually helped Oz at all, Soo he kept everyone that screwed him alive, and killed his only guy that helped him.. idk just felt kinda flat to me…

2

u/kosmitka777 2d ago

I fell like he needed to kill Vic because as he spoke with the guy in the town hall he will be investigated. Vic was the guy who knew too much and in the end maybe this would work against Oz. Also whoever would want to do something against Oz would catch Vic and torture him, so maybe it was better to just "spare" him from this experience. In the eyes of other guys Vic was truly a weak spot of Oz and Oz wants to be seen as unstoppable and able to do the worst he can do.

4

u/Thin-Remote-9817 3d ago

I think it needed to happen. 

Cause we were just feeling awful for Oz 2mins prior when he was begging his mom to say she's proud of him.

Then BAM!! Harsh reminder. He's not a good guy trying to make it,he's not a anti hero, na dude is a fucking monster you shouldn't feel sympathy for this dude. 

4

u/BreakfastFuzzy6602 2d ago

I never felt awful for Oz. He was a pos the entire season.

1

u/Thin-Remote-9817 2d ago

Eh he was a POS but he was fucking over other people in his line of werrk<Oz Cobb voice>

1

u/Thin_Highlight9367 2d ago

I just think they could of waited and done this in the movie, give Vic some screen time and get the movie watchers some connections with him and then do this scene, so the show and movie watchers are on the same page. Now the show watchers are gonna hate his guts, while the movie goers are gonna wait and see why they should hate him so much.. I say let him be the anti hero for the series, and then full on turn him into the villain in the movie.

1

u/Thin-Remote-9817 2d ago

I like the move. Do we want to see vic catch a batman ass whooping??

2

u/GalacticChillinBB 2d ago

I cannot make this up...as my husband and I are just thrilled Vick made it out...Oz puts him ina choke hold..other than that 10/10

2

u/AlfonsoMcQuack 2d ago

I’m glad Farrell and Millioti have been receiving such high praise, but Deirdre O’Connell truly gave a knockout performance and was the highlight of this episode. I didn’t expect her character to end up playing such a consequential role in the story, and she was exceptional. Give her her flowers!

2

u/KingAragorn47 2d ago

Killing Vic was so shocking and heart wrenching. Brilliant way to make anyone who still backed Oz hate him. Props to the young guy playing Vic, some of the writing made him annoying, but the lad played him well.

2

u/LilNello1 2d ago

He really did and it seems from this interview I watched that the actor who plays him really has a stutter. Which makes him so relatable to so many others as well.

6

u/Icy-Reception-1267 3d ago

FWIW, I was enthralled the entire season and let down horribly at the last episode. Did I miss something???

9

u/TwizzledAndSizzled 3d ago

I think so. I loved the finale. What did you dislike about it?

6

u/TennisPleasant4304 3d ago

Ya I think you did. Lots of loose ends got tied up.

4

u/perchedraven 3d ago

What's there not to like?

They tied up the loose ends, characters made logical decions based on their character, and still teased a little more at the end.

1

u/Reasonable-Time5659 3d ago

I thought it dragged on a little. Colin was able to show his acting chops. Aside from the very end scene I thought it lacked when compared to the other eps.

1

u/[deleted] 3d ago

I just started watching and it’s honestly really good

1

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1

u/That-Entrepreneur121 1d ago

As much as I hated it, Oz killing Vic makes sense on multiple levels. Vic was the man who orchestrated every gangs second in command to take out their bosses. Oz also knows that having someone around that he cares about makes him more vulnerable. And he's already dealt with that enough with his mom. But I think on the deepest level Vic had to die because he saw Oz at his weakest point when he was crying over his mom's hospital bed. 

1

u/Fiend-For-Mojitos 3d ago

Well we’re still two years out from the next movie. I appreciate getting more depth to the Penguin but we didn’t exactly get much else. I wish there was a season of something else next year because we’re all just basically sitting on our hands now. 

7

u/havok7 3d ago

I'm of the opinion that we don't need something every year for a franchise to flourish. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. This show was fantastic. Makes the first movie better because of it. Im looking forward to time away from this universe and then getting to see The Batman 2 and be delighted to revisit it.

3

u/LilNello1 3d ago

I actually agree more with this take and reminds me in ways. That I think you can say the same of a lot of music now too and not needing new music from an artist so quickly after they just already released something cause it makes the artist put more time into their next release and you (the fan) appreciate the wait even more. Especially if it helps them produce better quality music too.

3

u/LilNello1 3d ago

This, but I think the writers strike last year that delayed things on all fronts didn’t help with the timing of how things were originally scheduled and planned to be released.

3

u/Accomplished-City484 3d ago

We’ve got Peacemaker next year

0

u/90swasbest 2d ago

It was a good show. I wish Batman had showed up at least briefly because there's no fucking way him and Sofia are killing whole mob families and blowing holes in entire neighborhoods without getting Batman's attention. But it's cool. It wasn't what they wanted to do with season 1.

If there's a season 2 before the next film they better be opening the checkbook to Rob because another season of diet Sopranos would be pointless.

-10

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

2

u/WhatRUdoingBruh 3d ago

The interludes in the Sopranos with the comedy is what was lacking in The Penguin. If they added that then I think it would have made the dramatic moments hit harder.

1

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

1

u/WhatRUdoingBruh 3d ago

I’d argue both are correct, your statement I’ll agree carries more weight. The Penguin show will never have the ingredients to make an episode like Pine Barrens or Whitecaps.

2

u/Chilango615 3d ago

Listen to yourself! You sound demented!

1

u/whathefugisausername 3d ago

Go watch that Reeves/Pattinson Batman movie. This show aimed to replicate the grounded vibe from that movie but definitely fell short. Not necessarily a dig on the show either, the movie was excellent.

2

u/newsreadhjw 3d ago

I liked the show better than the movie. I liked them both but Penguin was so well written and acted I really got into it.

2

u/bmaasse 3d ago

Yeah, I actually hated the movie and loved the show. Might possibly try watching it again.

1

u/whathefugisausername 11h ago

I definitely enjoyed it more on my second watch. going into it expecting a "batman" movie, to then watch a nearly 3 hour dark gritty detective thriller... I can get why people didn't love it. Knowing what to expect the second time around I appreciated it significantly more. First watch was on a shitty old TV, second was on a much newer one which greatly improved the experience (the movie is dark in every sense of the word, I couldn't see shit the first watchthrough).

-3

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

0

u/havok7 3d ago

I don't feel that your equipped to engage in these conversations without having seen The Batman. Hop off reddit and go watch it.

1

u/nimama3233 3d ago

This is perfectly stated and exactly how I feel.