The Penguin has concluded its eight-episode run on HBO, charting Oswald Cobb’s (Colin Farrell) bloody climb to power within Gotham’s underworld. But now that the dust has settled, what’s next for Oz? How does this gritty series lay the groundwork for Matt Reeves’ next Batman movie, and, more importantly, does Batman himself make a cameo? Let’s dive into the finale of The Penguin and how it sets the stage for The Batman 2. Spoilers ahead for the full season!
The Penguin Ending: Power Play and Betrayal
The Penguin finale delivers a satisfying conclusion to the ongoing battle for Gotham’s criminal throne. Oz faces off with his biggest rival, Sofia Falcone Gigante (Cristin Milioti), who has spent the entire series trying to keep her father Carmine’s empire intact while Oz attempts to pull it out from under her. By the end of Episode 7, it seems like Oz has gained the upper hand by stealing Sofia’s Bliss drug and thwarting an assault by Sal Maroni’s (Clancy Brown) men. But Sofia goes nuclear, literally torching Oz’s underground lab and taking Oz and his mother hostage.
In a climactic showdown, Oz narrowly escapes Sofia’s grip. With the help of his loyal enforcer Victor (Rhenzy Feliz), he turns the tables and convinces Gotham’s Chinese Triads to switch sides, eventually capturing Sofia. In a move as strategic as it is vengeful, Oz has Sofia arrested and sent back to Arkham Asylum, rather than simply killing her. It’s a decision that proves he’s learned from Carmine Falcone—sometimes the real power move is not ending a feud, but controlling it.
Oz Alone at the Top
The victory comes at a heavy cost. Oz’s climb to the top leaves him more isolated than ever. He strangles Victor, unwilling to tolerate any vulnerability, and is left with only his ailing mother, who falls into a catatonic state after suffering a stroke, and his reluctant lover Eve (Carmen Ejogo), who clearly resents the life Oz has dragged her into. The Penguin closes with Oz finally achieving his ambition—but finding no one left to share it with. It’s lonely at the top, especially when you make a point to kill off all your friends.
Where’s Batman?
Despite the overarching presence of Batman in Gotham, Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight is notably absent from The Penguin. While the show ends with a glimpse of the Bat-Signal illuminating the Gotham sky, it’s only a faint nod to the Caped Crusader’s continued existence. The showrunner made it clear that Batman wouldn’t be appearing, and they held to that promise. Instead, the series focuses on the spaces Batman doesn’t occupy—the corners of Gotham where the shadows are cast by different monsters, like Oz and Sofia.
Setting the Stage for The Batman 2
With Oswald Cobb now firmly in control of Gotham’s underworld, The Penguin wraps up by positioning Oz as the city’s new kingpin—a clear set-up for Matt Reeves’ sequel. In The Batman, Oz was little more than a lackey, a supporting character in Carmine Falcone’s broader scheme. The Penguin changes that dynamic, making Oz a self-made boss who has paid dearly for his power. When Batman eventually faces him again, it will be as a true crime lord, not just a small-time middleman.
The series also suggests new threats for the upcoming movie. There’s Sofia, locked in Arkham but still very much a presence—a Joker-like figure who might be useful to Batman in unraveling a new conspiracy. There’s the new drug Bliss, which could easily make a comeback and draw Batman into a direct confrontation with Oz. And there’s the bigger question that remains unresolved: Where has Batman been while Gotham’s underworld erupted into chaos?
Shifting the Criminal Landscape
One key theme in The Penguin is the shifting nature of Gotham’s criminal underworld. Oz represents the new generation of Gotham villains—a shift from the traditional mob bosses like Carmine Falcone and Sal Maroni to the costumed, theatrical super-criminals that Batman’s rogues’ gallery is famous for. With figures like Barry Keoghan’s Joker lurking in the background, it’s clear that Gotham is on the brink of a transformation, and Oz’s reign might just be the beginning.
What’s Next for Sofia Falcone?
The Penguin leaves a significant door open for Sofia Falcone’s return. Instead of killing her, Oz sends her back to Arkham Asylum, hinting at the possibility of her becoming a recurring threat in Gotham. The series even teases a connection between Sofia and her half-sister, Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz). We see Sofia reading a letter from Selina in her cell—an intriguing set-up that could lead to Selina confronting her sister in The Batman 2, either to extract information or for a more personal vendetta.
There’s also the potential for Sofia to serve as a Hannibal Lecter-type figure, someone Batman may need to consult in order to uncover deeper threats in Gotham. Her return would add another layer of complexity to the city’s underworld, especially given her relationship with Oz and her hatred for her own family.
A Darker Future for Gotham
The Penguin ultimately serves as a prologue to an even darker Gotham—one where the likes of Oz Cobb rise from obscurity to prominence, and where Batman must confront the consequences of his own absence. Gotham is changing, and as costumed villains rise to power, Batman will need to change his methods too. It’s no longer just about taking down mob bosses; it’s about understanding the twisted psyche of a new breed of criminals who thrive in the chaos.
With The Penguin ending on such a pivotal note, all eyes now turn to Matt Reeves’ sequel, where Gotham’s new crime lord will undoubtedly clash with the city’s silent protector. Oz has seized his moment, but Batman’s return might just turn that victory into a nightmare.
