Here is the rewritten content: Editor's note: The below recap contains spoilers for The Penguin Episode 5. After a powerhouse episode focusing entirel
Here is the rewritten content:
After a powerhouse episode focusing entirely on Sofia Falcone’s time in Arkham, The Penguin shifts the narrative back to Oz (Colin Farrell) in this week’s episode, titled "Homecoming."
Inconsolable Sofia, having just been found to be innocent of the crimes she was accused of, is carted away by the authorities and eventually sentenced to 10 years in Arkham Asylum. Not one to take this lying down, Sofia sets her sights on her family, friends, and anyone who has ever wronged her, exacting a gruesome revenge on nearly everyone, sparing only Johnny Viti (Michael Kelly) for the time being.
"Hangman" Sofia returns to her family and friends, seeking vengeance.
Carmine accuses Sofia of the crimes, with the rest of the Falcones, except for Alberto (Michael Zegen), testifying against her. Dubbed by the media as "The Hangman," Sofia tries to plead her innocence but is instead sent to Arkham Asylum for the next 10 years, sculpting her into the ruthless mobster we saw in the first three episodes. The episode concludes with Sofia killing almost the entire Falcone family via carbon monoxide poisoning, sparing Johnny Viti – at least for now.
In "Homecoming" we are taken on a wild ride, as Oz and Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) set fire to the former’s beloved purple Maserati. As Oz lights the match, he tells Vic about Rex Calabrese, a mobster who used to roam Oz’s childhood neighborhood in a gold Cadillac, comparing the car to a chariot. As they walk away, Vic mentions Summer Gleason (Nadine Malouf), a journalist for the Gotham Gazette, who is suspicious of Sofia’s dad, Carmine (Mark Strong).
"Homecoming" never wastes a single second, requiring us to pay close attention to every single frame. However, it doesn’t once feel too convoluted, as director Helen Shaver and writers Breannah Gibson and Shaye Ogbonna succeed at channeling the controlled yet tense atmosphere.
The episode comes close to reaching the heights of the previous episode, delivering the most tense episode of The Penguin yet.
Pros:
- Episode 5 flies by at an extremely fast pace, perfectly building tension.
- Episode 5 cleverly compares the acts of violence from both Oz and Sofia.
- Clancy Brown and Michael Kelly bring their A-game to their supporting roles as Salvatore Maroni and Johnny Viti.
It follows the transformation of Oswald Cobblepot from a disfigured nobody to a noted Gotham gangster.
Release Date: September 19, 2024
Cast: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, James Madio, Scott Cohen, Michael Zegen, Carmen Ejogo, Theo Rossi
Seasons: 1
Prequel: The Batman (2022)
Story By: Bill Finger, Bob Kane
Writers: Lauren LeFranc
Franchise(s): Batman, DC Elseworld
Showrunner: Lauren LeFranc
Avg Episode Length: 60 Mins
Watch on Max: https://play.max.com/show/5756c2bf-36f8-4890-b1f9-ef168f1d8e9c
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