Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Penguin.
There are still many burning unanswered questions that the finale ofThe Penguinneeds to address. Starring Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb, reprising his role from Matt Reeves’The Batmanfrom 2022,The Penguinhas expanded this darker and grittier DC Elseworlds franchise brilliantly, taking place outside James Gunn and Peter Safran’s mainstreamDC Universe. While he was featured only as Carmine Falcone’s lieutenant and the owner of the Iceberg Lounge inThe Batman,The Penguinhas explored Oz Cobb’s rise to power inGotham City’s criminal underworld.
The Penguin’shighly-anticipated finale, episode 8, “A Great or Little Thing,” is scheduled to be released on November 10, bringing the intense and dramatic villain-centric series to a close beforeMatt Reeves' upcomingThe Batman - Part IItakes audiences back to Gotham in October 2026.Even though there’s only one episode left to release, there are still some huge questions thatThe Penguinneeds to address. Whether looking into the past or the future of Gotham City,The Penguin’sfinal episodecould include some incredible and unexpected revelations.
10Will Sofia Gigante Kill Oz Cobb’s Mother?
Sofia Questioned Francis Cobb In The Penguin Episode 7
Sofia Gigante, portrayed expertly by Cristin Milioti, learned about the existence of Oz Cobb’s mother, Deirdre O’Connell’s Francis Cobb, inThe Penguinepisode 6, “Gold Summit,” and she quickly used this knowledge to her advantage. Oz had previously informed Sofia that his mother had passed away in an effort to keep his last surviving family member safe.Sofia abducted Francis and questioned her in episode 7, “Top Hat,” however, and her fate has been left uncertain following Sofia’s car-bomb attackon the Penguin’s new base of operations.
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The Penguin episode 1 reveals new differences between Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb and DC Comics' iconic Batman villain, particularly in his origin story.
Sofia has a vendetta against Oz, as the latter murdered the former’s brother, Alberto, inThe Penguin’spremiere. This means it’s easily imaginable that Francis Cobb’s head could be on the chopping block, with killing her being the easiest way for Sofia to get revenge. However,The Penguinhas also proven that Sofia has a soft and vulnerable side, which prevailed prior to her falseincarceration in Arkham Asylum.This softer edge could prevent Sofia from killing Oz’s ailing mother in cold blood.
9Who Is Doctor Rush Really?
Theo Rossi Plays Dr. Julian Rush In The Penguin
Theo Rossi debuted inThe Penguinepisode 2, “Inside Man,” asDr. Julian Rush, Sofia Gigante’s (then Falcone) therapist from Arkham Asylum.Rush formed a close bond with Sofia during her stay in Arkham, even fostering romantic feelings for the troubled prisoner, which meant she received preferential treatment from him, and he continued to treat her following her release. InThe Penguinepisode 5, “Homecoming,” Sofia forms a new crime family with Rush at her side, but the question remains regarding whom this unusual side-character actually is.
Comic book series fans may recognize Theo Rossi from Marvel Television’sLuke Cageseries on Netflix, in which he portrayed Hernan “Shades” Alvarez.
Dr. Julian Rush is an original character created specifically forThe Penguin, with no DC Comics counterpart, but he shares similarities with a number of villains from the comics. Most notably, he shares a name with Green Arrow villain Rush, though he has also drawn comparisons to the likes of psychologist and scientist Hugo Strange, professor of psychology Dr. Jonathan Crane, a.k.a. Scarecrow, and even Arkham psychologist-turned-supervillainDr. Harleen Quinzel, a.k.a. Harley Quinn.The Penguin’sfinale could reveal Rush’s true nature.
8Will Victor Aguilar Survive?
Victor Aguilar Is Oz Cobb’s Most Trusted Employee In The Penguin
Rhenzy Feliz’s Victor Aguilar is one of the most interesting characters introduced inThe Penguin. Like Rush, Victor is an original character inThe Penguin, though his story seems to have taken inspiration from that ofJason Todd, a.k.a. DC Comics' second Robin. After being caught trying to strip the rims from Oz Cobb’s car,Victor has since become Oz’s most trusted ally, despite his mental anguish about entering the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Despite his sometimes-heinous actions, Victor is an innocent soul, so it would be impactful for him to die inThe Penguin’sfinale.
Victor was abducted alongside Francis Cobb inThe Penguinepisode 6, and while he didn’t appear in episode 7, trailers forThe Penguin’supcoming finale have confirmed that Sofia Gigante hasn’t yet killed him.Victor’s death would be hugely emotional, particularly since this would abruptly end his inward battle for morality. It would perhaps be more satisfying to haveVictor Aguilar survive the seriesand become a more prevalent presence in the Penguin’s story as a criminal mastermind going forward, but only time will tell.
7What Will Happen To Gia Viti?
Gia Viti Could Be Sofia Gigante’s Worst Enemy
At the end ofThe Penguinepisode 4, “Cent’Anni,” which was primarily a flashback episode toSofia Gigante’s time in Arkham Asylum, audiences saw Sofia kill almost every member of the Falcone crime family in their sleep. She left only Johnny Viti, her cousin, and his young daughter, Gia, alive, hoping to use the former and spare the latter.While Johnny Viti later received a bullet to the head, Gia Viti could pose more of a problem for Sofia inThe Penguin’sfinale, as Sofia learned that Gia intends to cooperate with the Gotham City Police Department.
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Sofia failed to realize that, by saving Gia Viti but wiping out the rest of her family, this would cause the young child some serious trauma and emotional distress. Seeing the pain she’d caused Gia caused Sofia to consider taking a deal with Oz Cobb, releasing his mother in exchange for his stolen drug operation, but it seems she chose another path.The Penguin’sfinale may see a more hardened Sofia finish what she started, perhaps killing Gia herself, or, indeed, Gia could cooperate with the policeand have Sofia re-incarcerated in Arkham.
6Does Sofia Know About Her Relation To Catwoman?
Selina Kyle Is Also The Daughter Of Carmine Falcone In Matt Reeves' Franchise
The Batmannot only debuted Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne’s Batman, but also introducedZoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman. In a diversion from Catwoman’s typical DC origin story,The Batmanrevealed that she is the daughter of Carmine Falcone, as her mother had worked at the Iceberg Lounge before becoming one of Carmine’s victims as the Hangman.While Selina Kyle never had a positive relationship with her father, this familial connection could be explored further inThe Penguin, as Sofia Gigante is Catwoman’s half-sister.
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Sofia Gigante killed off her entire familyinThe Penguin, except for Gia Viti, but she also has a sister in Selina Kyle.It seems she isn’t aware of her familial connection to Catwoman, but learning about this sisterhood could seriously alter her motivations in the series and in the franchise’s future. It’s very possible Carmine Falcone has fathered many children over the years, as he had a long string of affairs with employees of the Iceberg Lounge that often culminated in their murders. This means Sofia’s family could be far greater than she realizes.
5Will Francis Find Out About Her Sons' Deaths?
The Penguin Episode 7 Revealed That Oz Cobb Killed His Brothers
Thedeaths of Oz Cobb’s two brothershad been teased throughoutThe Penguin, but episode 7 confirmed that this story is actually much darker than first suspected. Jealous of his mother’s affection for his brothers, the youngOz trapped his younger and older siblings in a sewer tunnel during a game of hide and seek, leaving them there to die a slow and terrifying demise. Shockingly, he felt no remorse over this horrid act, and in fact reveled in the newfound attention he received from his mother, despite her despair at her sons going missing.
Young Oz Cobb is played by Ryder Allen, while the younger version of his mother is played by Emily Meade. Oz’s brothers, Jack and Benny, are played by Owen Asztalos and Nico Tirozzi, respectively.
It seems that Oz never revealed the truth about his brothers' deaths to his mother, who has been reliving the loss of her sons because of her ever-developing dementia. If Sofia Gigante somehow happens upon this information inThe Penguin’sfinale,it’s very possible that she could reveal the truth to Francis, and this could be the thing that breaks the Penguin’s ailing mother. This would make for an incredibly emotional storyline inThe Penguin’sfinale, which could eliminate the one thing forcing Oz Cobb to retain his humanity.
4Will Oz Cobb Truly Become The Penguin?
The Penguin Has Been Exploring Oz Cobb’s Rise To Power
If his mother meets her demise inThe Penguin’sfinale, Oz Cobb may completely lose his more human, vulnerable qualities, which could mark his full transformation into the Penguin.Oz has been reluctant to embrace the title of the Penguin given to him by other criminals in Gotham City, butThe Penguin’sfinale could complete this evolution, setting him up as a significant threat in the future ofThe Batman’suniverse. ThePenguin is one of Batman’s most notable and long-lasting villainsin DC Comics, so it would be great to see this transformation completed.
The Penguin’s Name Change Supports One Huge The Batman 2 Villain Theory
The Penguin changes Oswald Cobblepot’s name to Oz Cobb, which may hint at a secret connection to The Batman - Part II’s possible main villains.
It feels somewhat far-fetched to imagineColin Farrell’s version of the Penguindonning the suit, top hat and monocle that his DC Comics counterpart has become synonymous with.Farrell’s Oz Cobb is a lower-class, man of the people, though he has been seen to get suited and booted on occasion, particularly during his debut inThe Batman. Whether he becomes the “Gentlemen of Crime” or not, it would be fantastic to see Oz Cobb fully embrace his identity as the Penguin in the upcoming series finale.
3Will Other Batman Villains Appear In The Finale?
Many Batman Villains Operate In Gotham City
The Penguin is only one villain featured in Batman’s rogues gallery from DC Comics, and bothThe BatmanandThe Penguinhave introduced and teased several others.It’s very possible thatThe Penguin’sfinale could uncover even more criminal masterminds and supervillains residing in Gotham City, perhaps setting up a larger storyline forThe Batman - Part II. The most popular theory suggests that theCourt of Owls, a secret organization of Gotham’s elite and wealthy, could play a role in the franchise’s future, so it would be great to see this group inThe Penguin’s finale.
2022’sThe Batmanfeatured Paul Dano’s Riddler as its primary antagonist.
Matt Reeves has previously suggested that he’d want to introduce the likes of Clayface, Professor Pyg, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, Hush, Calendar Man and more asvillains inThe Batman’sfranchise. While it seems unlikely that all these villains will have major roles inThe Penguin’sfinale, given the fact that this will focus on wrapping up and evolving Oz Cobb’s story,these antagonists could be teased or even make brief appearances. It would be great for these villains to cameo, expanding the universe two years beforeThe Batman - Part IIhits theaters.
2Where Is Batman?
Robert Pattinson’s Batman Hasn’t Yet Appeared In The Penguin
One of the most persistent mysteries throughoutThe Penguinhas been the whereabouts of Bruce Wayne’s Batman.Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knightbattled the Riddler inThe Batmanand helped the residents of Gotham after the seawall was destroyed and the city was flooded.The Batmanended with the Caped Crusader continuing his supportive efforts and vowing to continue protecting the city, but he has been absent throughoutThe Penguin, despite the actions of Oz Cobb and Sofia Gigante not exactly being completely out of the public eye.
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There has been a great deal of speculation that Robert Pattinson will make a cameo appearance inThe Penguin’sfinale, especially after Sofia Gigante’s car-bomb blew a hole in a Gotham City street. The Penguin’s underground drug operation also used the same system of tunnels that could connect toBruce Wayne’s Batcave, which is in an underground system beneath Wayne Tower.Batman’s appearance inThe Penguinwould help to establish continuity between the movie and the spinoff series, and could help to set upThe Batman - Part IIperfectly.
1How Will The Penguin Set Up The Batman - Part II’s Story?
Scheduled to be released on July 01, 2025,The Batman - Part IIis expected to follow on directly from the events ofThe Penguin.It’s currently unclear how the series finale will set up the events of the upcoming movie sequel, however, so episode 8 can answer these questions. Perhaps Oz Cobb will be established as the primaryantagonist ofThe Batman - Part II, or Sofia Gigante’s own influence could expand instead, making more human threats a danger to Batman in the sequel.
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An update has revealed that two of the best possible villains for The Batman - Part II are unlikely to show up, though a third major foe may rise.
The Penguinseems to have explored a self-contained story focused solely on the villainous Oz Cobb and his own rise to power, though he could unearth a greater conspiracy in Gotham City. This supports theories that theCourt of Owls will be featured inThe Batman - Part II, which would tee up a storyline focused on corruption and governmental influence in Gotham City for the sequel. The finale ofThe Penguincould change the shape ofThe Batman’suniverse significantly, setting up the sequel for a much darker story.
The Penguin
Cast
Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022’s film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family’s empire.
