The Penguin, Episode 7 Review: A Trip Down Memory Lane As The War For Gotham Rages On
Last week’s episode of The Penguin focused on Oz’s rise to the top of Gotham’s criminal underworld by uniting most of Gotham’s crime lords. This week’s penultimate episode, “Top Hat”, delves into Oz’s past, while the present-day war between Sophia Gigante, Salvatore Maroni, & Oz intensifies.
WARNING: Spoilers for Episode 7 ahead!
The penultimate episode begins with a flashback to Oz’s childhood. It’s revealed that Oz’s mom, Francis, was an accountant for local Gotham gangster Rex Calabrese. On a visit to Rex, Oz and his two brothers, Jackie and Ben, explore the underground tunnels that Oz will later use as the base of his Bliss drug operation. A game of hide-and-seek turns dark when Oz traps his brothers in a flooding tunnel, later lying to his mother about their whereabouts.
In present day, Oz finds an unconscious Vic (in the aftermath of Sophia paying Vic and Francis a visit at the end of last week’s episode) and is later attacked by Sal Maroni. Elsewhere, Sofia realizes Oz’s mother is unwell, and brings Dr. Julian Rush in the fold. In a later conversation, Rush warns her that the police want to interrogate Gia Viti to learn more about the “gas leak” that wiped out the Falcones, but Sofia later manipulates Gia into staying silent.
Sal tries to burn Oz alive, but a heart attack interrupts his plan. Frustrated he didn’t kill Sal himself, Oz shoots Maroni posthumously, claims his ring, and rallies his men.
Sofia proposes Oz an exchange: Oz’s operation for Francis’s safety, but the catch is that the van contains a bomb. Oz escapes into the tunnels he once used against his brothers, and we are once again thrusted into Oz’s past. Shortly after his brothers’ death, we see Oz and Francis dancing, with Oz’s mom asking her young son to make a name for himself so that he can take care of her and get her everything that she deserves.
Back to the present-day, Oz emerges onto the collapsing streets of Crown Point in the aftermath of the explosion only to be captured by Sofia’s corrupt GCPD ally, Detective Marcus Wise.
What are your thoughts on Oz’s journey so far, and where do you think the finale will take us? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned right here at The Cultured Nerd for all the latest updates and reviews on The Penguin and the Gotham underworld.
What are your thoughts on Oz’s journey so far, and where do you think the finale will take us? Do you think Oz will be on top of Gotham’s underworld at the end of next week’s season (series?) finale? As always sound off in the comments section down below, and of course … stay tuned right here at The Cultured Nerd for all the latest updates and reviews on The Penguin.
