Confronting the events that turned her into “The Hangman” – and led to a decade-long fight to survive in Arkham State Hospital – Sofia makes plans for a more hopeful future.

Episode Four of The Penguin, ‘Cent’Anni’, takes a pause on Oz Cobb’s ambitious rise to the top, and instead, audiences are taken back in time as the story of Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone takes centre stage, and the tale of ‘The Hangman’ is brought to life. And the result is a scary, savage and sorrowful tale of a daughter lost to madness and the horrors that result from family legacy. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc puts it all on the line in Episode Four. It’s a pure opera of the depths of family hell, and its twists, turns, and surprises will leave you in shock as Sofia’s harrowing origin is brought to life! LeFranc has been open about how she was inspired in part by the dark history of the Kennedys, and especially the horrendous fate of Rosemary Kennedy in developing her backstory for Sofia Falcone, and it adds to the pure horror of the narrative in every possible way.

The origin of Sofia Falcone goes completely from A to Z in Episode Four, ‘Cent’Anni’, and we see Sofia go from an intelligent, brilliant young woman, who her father possibly sees as a worthy successor, to having her thrown into the pit of hell and emerging as something entirely else. And it makes for jaw-dropping television. Actress Cristin Milioti brings incredible range to her performance, and the harrowing transformation she undergoes in ‘Cent’Anni’ as her father’s true character comes to the forefront, and the base evil of her family’s power almost swallows her. After being made aware of a string of brutal murders, and making the connection to her mother’s own untimely ‘suicide’ as a child, Sofia encores the wrath of her father and his ‘family’ and finds herself thrown into a hell that completely re-shapes her into a terrifying new force.

Making his debut in The Penguin in ‘Cent’Anni’ is the undeniably talented Mark Strong as Carmine Falcone, who inherits the role from the great John Turturro, and Strong brings a new shade of sophistication and danger to the role of this formidable force of Gotham’s Crime Underworld. Strong portrays Falcone as a pure shark who’s not above going to any lengths to protect his empire, including sacrificing those closest to him to do it, and you feel his ultimate control and presence at every turn. Strong is an actor of tremendous range and presence, and it’s fantastic to see him working next to Milioti. You completely buy into their history as father and daughter and the dangers that shadow. While Falcone’s actions are deplorable and mark him out as a villain worthy of the deepest layer of hell, you can’t help but praise his incredible performance as this very dangerous man, and the level of complexity that he brings to the role.

Betrayed by her father, Sofia Falcone finds herself sentenced to the worst place in all of Gotham City, Arkham Asylum, and it’s here that ‘Cent’Anni’ takes a savage turn. While Matt Reeves only hinted at the madness of the infamous institution in The Batman, ‘Cent’Anni’ explores it to the fullest, and Sofia’s indoctrination into its brutish corridors makes for the stuff of the scariest horror films. Utter madness follows, and we watch her lose her sanity and self to this place. A new persona is born, that of ‘The Hangman’, and Sofia is thrown to monsters and emerges as one herself. Director Helen Shaver brings a female perspective to the horror that Sofia suffers through in this episode, and there’s plenty of violence, both physical and psychological, that will throw the audience around. Milioti throws herself into the madness, and it’s damn horrifying watching Sofia lose herself to this new persona, and the woman who emerges is someone entirely different.

‘Cent’Anni’ is utter madness captured on film, and with her origin established, the resulting third act leads to a dangerous confrontation and Sofia Falcone grabbing for her birthright in a move that brings her past and present together. And it’s a brutal end to the episode that none of us saw coming. Oz had better be careful because there’s a new boss in town, and she won’t suffer anyone who gets in her way.

The Penguin is now streaming on Neon and SKY TV.

Image: SKY TV

The post ‘The Penguin’ – ‘Cent’Anni’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Hoping to control the future of Gotham’s drug trade, Oz and Sofia must first address the skeletons in their closet. Victor is torn between his new life and what remains of his old one.

Things are starting to ramp up in speed with HBO’s The Penguin. This series so far has proven that it has the attitude and moxy of a pure crime classic. Now, as we move into Episode Three, ‘Bliss’, we see Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobb begin to make his move on Gotham City’s drug market… and he enlists the help of an intriguing and dangerous new partner, Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti). It’s a hell of a whack for audiences, and given their general mistrust of one another, it leads to all kinds of drama as Oz and Sofia happen upon a new substance that could change their fortunes and reshape the entire identity of the Gotham Crime underworld. And there’s plenty going on in this episode that will have audiences sitting up with attention.

In my mind, ‘Bliss’ is very much The Penguin’s Scarface-esquee episode, and I don’t just mean it because of Oz’s white suit! This is very much the ‘moving and shaking’ episode as Oz and Sofia cut deals and look for an innovative way to cut out the rest of the Falcone family while also playing off the Maroni’s at the same time. Colin Farrell has shown he has a talent for juggling when it comes to his portrayal of Oz, and he’s working overtime in this episode. And it shows. ‘Bliss’ gives a further insight into the interior character of Oz, and the broken, battered man that lives in his soul, and we see how his actions are a reaction to the rejection, fear and violence that he’s had to contend with his whole life. Total ambition is the only thing that drives Oz’s action, and in ‘Bliss’, we see him making his way forward, and he’ll suffer no one who gets in his way.

‘Bliss’ is also an important episode for the character development of Victor ‘Vic’ Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz), as he has to come to a crossroads with his commitment to Oz, and a decision as to where he wants his life to go. Ever since falling under Oz’s spell, Vic has been an invaluable asset, and he’s taken to the mob life with skill, but in ‘Bliss’, he has to make a choice that will define his life forever. And it’s a hell of a choice. Rhenzy Feliz showcases an incredible level of sincerity amongst all the drama, and director Craig Zobel zooms in on the drama that surrounds him and the complicated feelings that compel his decision.

Episode Three of The Penguin makes for an audacious and intense watch, and there’s a boiling tension that follows all of our characters as Oz makes his move on the drug scene, thanks in key part to Sofia Falcone’s help. It’s a brooding watch, and we very much felt the Scarface vibes with this episode. But as with everything in OZ’s life, it quickly all goes to hell in the final moments, and with the shocking concussive force of a hand grenade, the episode ends on a hell of a cliffhanger, as Oz’s double-dealing smacks him across the face and the violence levels up.

The Penguin is moving forward at pace, and audiences get some very worthy television in Episode Three. Oz’s secret is out, the streets know about it, and he’s left in a very dangerous place. For audiences, that can only lead to plenty of excitement and tension as we move forward in this narrative.

The Penguin is now streaming on Neon and SKY TV.

Image: SKY TV

The post ‘The Penguin’ – Bliss’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Sofia works to secure her family’s strength, while Oz attempts to play both the Falcone and Maroni families to his advantage.

We’ve been waiting with anticipation for a gangster series that would give audiences a serious whack, and we’ve found it with the brooding and dark crime series The Penguin. Episode One, ‘After Hours’, was a lesson in noir storytelling as ambitious street-level thug Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobb will go to any lengths to secure Gotham’s Underworld in a time of crisis. Audiences are in for an intense watch thanks to Episode Two, ‘Inside Man’. Now, looking to play every side, Oz is cosying up with both the Falcone and Maroni crime family and looking to play each to his advantage. Looking to prove he has the stones to play in the big leagues, Oz sets up an ambitious heist that could prove lucrative. Until it goes to hell, the action ramps up with plenty of bullets and blood in ‘Inside Man’, and audiences will be left spinning.

It’s clear from the commitment level of his performance that Academy Award-nominee Colin Farrell is having a blast exploring the darkest corners of Oz Cobb’s vast ambition, and in ‘Inside Man’, we get to see him move up another rung in the ladder. This is a man who isn’t afraid to be backed into a corner, nor is he unafraid to open up full auto with a Micro Uzi, but it’s only when the bodies hit the ground and the blood starts seeping out that Oz realises he’s in a host of trouble. The key moment of the FEMA highjacking sequence showcases Oz’s clear character and the fact that he’s a character who thrives under press and chaos, almost actively seeking it out to get his kicks from it. It’s a radically new side to Oz that we get to see in this scene, and his double-dealing actions lead to all kinds of trouble.

Episode Two of The Penguin doesn’t only leave Oz spinning, but the mentally unstable and diabolically sociopathic Sofia Falcone is also not fairing to well, and her bridge of sanity is beginning to show some pretty serious cracks. Still reeling from her time spent in Arkham Asylum, Sofia is also shunned by the members of her ‘family’, and her brother’s funeral brings out her dark side. There’s nothing scarier than a sociopath with a grudge, and at her brother’s wake, her inner nastiness begins to come out. Actress Cristin Milioti has an exceptional ability to play crazy, and she begins to take out her frustrations on those around her. And her return to Gotham City ain’t going to be pretty for anyone.

‘Inside Man’ is also an important episode for the development of Oz’s assistant and protegee, Victor ‘Vic’ Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz), as he comes to learn of the glowing temptations and the harsh realities of the crime life in Gotham City. While the relationship between himself and Oz is still developing, we’ve come to see the older gangster take Vic under his wing, so to say, but Oz’s ability to threaten and manipulate is never far away. He also lays down the law to Vic and makes him aware of the consequences of any action he takes, and this adds a level of threat and menace to the episode.

Throughout Episode Two, ‘Inside Man’ audiences follow Oz’s erratic and chaos-effecting mission to play both of Gotham’s pre-eminent crime families off of one another, and it leads to plenty of heightened tension. This atmosphere of danger and imminent death rallies in the third act of the narrative, where Oz’s botched heist comes back to haunt him, and he has to take drastic, bloody action to save his own skin. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc is unafraid to showcase these violent and chaotic moments in their brutally gory depth, and it adds a level of authenticity to this series as a crime drama. But it is not just Oz who has to watch his back as Sofia is also given an ultimatum by her ‘family, and backed into a corner, she makes a deal that will lead to a series of consequences, repercussions of pure violence, on the streets of Gotham City.

Episode Two of The Penguin, ‘Inside Man’, is a vicious second chapter of Oz Cobb’s saga, and it clarifies that on the noir-soaked streets of Gotham City. You play for keeps.

The Penguin is now streaming on Neon and SKY TV.

Image: SKY TV

The post ‘The Penguin’ – ‘Inside Man’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.