HBO’s ‘The Penguin’ Episode 3 Review - To Leave or Not to Leave

There is a lot of pleasure in watching Sofia and Oz as an odd couple trying to mend their relationship. The source of resentment between them is their bitter history (he was responsible for her getting admitted to Arkham Asylum), which threatens to come to the surface to destroy their current alliance and their current objective. In the third episode of The Penguin, Sofia introduces Oz to a new drug that was given to inmates of Arkham to help them forget their pain, making them content and submissive. Oz, appropriately, names the drug "Bliss." The plan is to strike a deal with the Triads to sell Bliss in their territory. Thankfully, Oz is someone who has connections in many places - not all of them are friendly. Oz takes Sofia to Link Tsai, "a Triad deputy who runs their clubs." He instantly greets Oz with guns pointing towards him. "I sent you a whole truck of cigarettes. Where's my cut?" demands Link. Oz assures the Triad deputy that he has something better for him. The latter, of course, doesn't immediately buy what Oz is selling. Oz and Sofia want an audience with Mr. Zhao, which can only take place if Johnny Vitti calls Link to verbally confirm his support for the Hangman and the Penguin.

Again, Oz devises a cunning plan to ensnare Johnny. He sets up a sex trap for this underboss of the Falcone crime family and, with Sofia, catches him in the act with Luca Falcone's wife. Oz is a man with a plan. He chooses all the right words to trap others in his web of deceit. The only person with whom he behaves truthfully has to be Vic. Oz really cares for Vic - he wants him to be happy. Vic is the only person with whom Oz doesn't feel the need to put on the mask of civility. When he discovers that his personal driver is making plans to escape Gotham City, Oz becomes incensed and reminds Vic that he was nothing before he met him ("I gave you clothes, money, a place to crash. You got all the opportunity in the world right fuckin' here, for Christ's sake"). But perhaps what breaks Oz's heart more is the realization that Vic considered working for him a trap from which it's impossible to break free. Oz's sadness reveals itself forcefully as he drinks alone in the bar while people behind him dance blissfully. The episode provides us with Vic's backstory. We learn who his parents were, how they died (it's connected to the events of The Batman), and why he keeps checking his mobile. Vic, in the third episode, is torn between two choices: Leave Gotham City with his girlfriend Graciela or continue working for the Penguin—no prizes for guessing what decision he makes eventually.

The most enjoyable thing about this episode of The Penguin is the subtle facial expressions that Oz and Sofia give at certain points. Look at her as she faintly smiles while talking to Vic, as if liking how uncomfortable she makes him (or maybe she's deriving pleasure from traces of nervousness in his voice, seeing him as a cute little kid). And definitely take note of that cut to Oz's face when Sofia says, "Oz is working for me." This minor moment tells you all you need to know about the Penguin. He doesn't like working FOR anyone. It's clear that he's solely focused on advancing his own interests, using Sofia as a means to an end. Look how quickly he forgets about her, discards her, and ignores her when the Maronis arrive with guns. Oz/The Penguin is a delightfully slimy bastard.

Final Score – [7/10]