Note: This article includes spoilers for Episode 4 of The Penguin.
Main Highlights
- Sofia Falcone’s heartbreaking past at Arkham Asylum is unveiled.
- Sofia executes her revenge-driven plan, resulting in the demise of pivotal family members.
- Sofia’s choice to spare Johnny Viti hints at strategic reasoning, while Oz’s fate is in jeopardy in forthcoming episodes.
Episode 4 of The Penguin delivered a gripping narrative. Viewers delved deeper into Sofia Falcone’s history stemming from Arkham Asylum and witnessed her intense execution of a plan that significantly impacts the series’ future.
The Penguin marks the inaugural spin-off in Matt Reeves’ Batman universe. Occurring shortly after the events of the 2022 superhero film, the series follows Colin Farrell portraying Oswald Cobblepot, a.k.a. the Penguin, as he strives to secure his status among Gotham’s crime lords. Following the assassination of Carmine Falcone in The Batman, the criminal landscape of the city descends into turmoil, presenting Oz with a ripe opportunity to ascend. However, his ambitions are complicated by the return of Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), Carmine’s daughter, who aims to reclaim her family’s criminal legacy.
Unveiling Sofia Falcone’s History
Upon her introduction in The Penguin, Sofia Falcone is described as having spent a decade imprisoned in Arkham Asylum on murder charges, acquiring the label of the Hangman despite her family’s attempts to label her as unfit to manage their operations.
In Episode 4, titled “Cente’Anni”, the depths of Sofia’s past are finally explored. As a child, she discovered her mother’s lifeless body, who had hanged herself. However, as she grew older, Sofia began to question whether it was truly suicide. A conversation with a journalist leads her to suspect her father, Carmine Falcone (portrayed by Mark Strong), might be linked to her mother’s demise along with a spate of similar murders of other women. While these women were officially deemed suicides, evidence indicated strangulation and suspicious scratches akin to those found on Sofia’s mother.
After Oz, who had been serving as Sofia’s driver, informs her father of her discussions with the journalist, Carmine confronts Sofia. During this encounter, she accuses him of being involved in her mother’s death, resulting in Carmine commissioning his corrupt police officers to imprison her and attributing the murders to her. This frames Sofia as The Hangman in the media narrative. Subsequently, Sofia is confined to Arkham Asylum for six months pending trial, where she quickly becomes a target for the inmates. However, she befriends another inmate, named Magpie (Marié Botha). Despite asserting her innocence, it’s clear that her doctors, Dr. Julian Rush (Theo Rossi) and Dr. Ventris, are not acting in her best interest. Following many involuntary electro-convulsive therapy sessions, Sofia experiences a mental breakdown.
Things worsen when her brother Alberto visits her to reveal the grim truth: she will not face trial. The doctors have falsely labeled her as violent and psychopathic, while her family has submitted misleading letters of support, leading to her decade-long stay in Arkham.
The Climax of The Penguin Episode 4
Upon her release from Arkham Asylum, Sofia asserts her rehabilitation, but her family continues to propagate the narrative of her insanity to prevent her ascension as the family leader. This doesn’t deter her from executing her carefully calculated plan in Episode 4. Unexpectedly arriving at a family dinner, Sofia raises a toast, reminding her relatives of the murders they have attributed to her, with only her brother Alberto standing by her. She concludes with “Cent’anni,”which translates to “100 years,”implying a wish for extended lifespans for all present.
Later that evening, Sofia lures her young cousin Gia to the greenhouse under the guise of offering cake, promising the kind of fun sleepover she once shared with Alberto. Before dawn breaks and Gia awakens, Sofia returns to the house muffled with a gas mask. Overnight, she had sinisterly sealed the premises and filled it with toxic gas, resulting in the death of everyone inside.
Character Survival and Demise
Episode 4 of The Penguin records one of the highest body counts to date. Sofia’s intricate scheme results in the deaths of nearly all significant family members present at the dinner, including her uncle Luca, his wife (who was involved in an affair with Johnny), and Gia’s parents. Yet, one family member manages to survive, thanks to an open window. The episode culminates as Sofia enters Johnny’s (Michael Kelly) room, instructing him to dress so they can converse.
With her scheme, Sofia exacts revenge on those who previously dismissed her and contributed to her unjust confinement. Her decision to keep Johnny alive appears to be a strategic choice, as he holds valuable connections within the criminal hierarchy, which will be beneficial to Sofia’s ascent. Gia remains the only other surviving family member but is now left an orphan, leaving her future uncertain. One thing remains clear: Sofia will seek vengeance against the Penguin, especially after uncovering his role in her brother Alberto’s death. Given Sofia’s swift and ruthless actions against her family, Oswald must prepare for an intense confrontation in the episodes ahead.
All episodes from The Penguin, including Episodes 1-4, are currently available for streaming on Max, with new episodes premiering on Sunday nights.
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