‘The Penguin’ Skillfully Addresses the Myth of Female Hysteria

The storyline of Sofia Falcone in HBO’s The Penguin has taken an unexpected turn. In the most recent episode, it’s revealed that Sofia may not be the villain we believed her to be; instead, she’s ensnared in a brutal cycle set in motion by the men around her. This theme resonates powerfully in today’s societal context, echoing the dynamics of influence and power.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for episode 4 of The Penguin, titled “Cent’anni.”

Although Colin Farrell’s character Oswald “Oz”Cobb, a mob boss with a softer side, leads HBO’s The Penguin, it’s clear that Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone truly steals the spotlight, especially in the fourth episode, solidifying her status as the show’s standout character.

I’ve never been more convinced that Sofia Falcone is innocent of all accusations. She deserves to take down anyone she pleases, as a reward! #ThePenguin pic.twitter.com/s3e13LfPDg

— Jack (-_•)? (@captaincupkicks) October 14, 2024

During this flashback episode, viewers observe the heart-wrenching plight of Sofia, who is wrongfully charged with a series of murders actually orchestrated by her father, Carmine (Mark Strong). This false accusation leads her to spend a decade in Arkham Asylum, after earning the notorious moniker “Hangman.” Inside those walls, she endures torment from both inmates and corrupt staff members aligned with her father’s interests, all part of a scheme to discredit her sanity and silence her truth.

This portrayal is particularly painful for women familiar with the experience of being undermined by societal structures that repeatedly fail them.

Sofia Falcone’s story highlights systemic abuse in The Penguin

For women who have experienced being dismissed by healthcare providers, constantly misdiagnosed or labeled based on their gender, Sofia’s journey will resonate deeply. They know too well the frustration of not being heard or taken seriously, echoing the historical context where women were often deemed “hysterical” by medical standards of the past.

This phenomenon, termed “Female Hysteria,” was a convenient label assigned to diverse issues like anxiety and insomnia, serving as a ruse for doctors to confine patients in asylums, often leading to grave procedures like lobotomies. Notably, the classification of “Hysteria” wasn’t removed from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual until 1980—a shocking reminder of the era’s regression.

As seen in The Penguin, Sofia is subjected to a similar fate. Delving into the mysterious circumstances of her mother’s alleged suicide, she uncovers a web of deception woven by her father and the family, leading her to question the sanity they ascribed to her mother. Each time Sofia mentions her mother, Carmine deflects by questioning why she would dare revisit the past, claiming it only serves to hurt him. Despite professing love for her mother, his actions suggest otherwise.

Ultimately, when Sofia attempts to expose the truth by speaking with a reporter regarding the deaths of other women under analogous circumstances, The Family, tipped off by Oz, turns against her, branding her as mentally unstable and unfit to stand trial. This leads to her undergoing shocking treatments at Arkham, drawing parallels to Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s haunting tale, The Yellow Wallpaper. Sofia’s character emerges as an embodiment of the victimization wrought by male dominance, forced into villainy merely to survive within her tumultuous environment.

As showrunner Lauren LeFranc aptly stated in an interview, “[Sofia is] trying to fit back into this patriarchal mob world against her own will.” In crafting Sofia Falcone’s character, LeFranc was inspired by the tragic real-life story of Rosemary Kennedy, who was lobotomized in her youth for being deemed “difficult” by her father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.

“Given the historical treatment of women in mental institutions, a woman deemed ‘hysterical’ could face dire consequences. I requested to have Sofia’s character evolve from Arkham State Hospital, and to my delight, Matt [Reeves] was receptive to this vision.”

The origin of Sofia Falcone complicates feelings towards Oz

In a twist of fate, by the episode’s conclusion, which resumes in present-day following her release from Arkham, Sofia emerges as the last living member of The Family, thanks to a strategic poison attack that has decimated them. While Oz may have moments of sympathy, he now finds himself facing the repercussions of Sofia’s newfound strength.

me watching sofia falcone take down her own family pic.twitter.com/psvlfKMTTY

— m. (@sunsfyre) October 14, 2024

Sofia’s resurgence into Gotham’s criminal underworld is marked by a successful drug operation and influential alliances, allowing her to exact revenge on The Family, liberating herself from the clutches of domineering figures. Symbolically, her actions serve as a confrontation of her trauma, crafting a profound character arc that lays the groundwork for riveting confrontations with Oz in future episodes. Personally, I am an advocate for women’s rights—equally for their triumphs and missteps—especially when they are as justified as Sofia’s journey.

Catch new episodes of The Penguin airing on HBO and Max every Sunday at 6 PM PT/9 PM ET.

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