Unveiling Secrets: How Oz and Sofia Diverge in The Penguin's Newest Episode!

Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for those who have yet to indulge in the dramatic whirlpool that is The Penguin Episode 6.

Ah, Oz Cobb is back in the hustle of things, and believe me, it's just as chaotic and absurd as one would expect. In this week’s shenanigan, aptly titled “Gold Summit,” we find our favorite crime boss, played with a gleeful charm by Colin Farrell, navigating the murky waters of ambition and deceit. While Sofia Gigante, portrayed earnestly by Cristin Milioti, plots her revenge after feeling the sting of betrayal, Oz is busy trying to illuminate Crown Point—because, why not bring a little light to a place drowning in darkness?

Sofia embodies the definition of tenacity, a woman on a mission, single-mindedly hunting Oz for a little personal vendetta. And let’s face it, the stage is perfectly set for a dramatic showdown as she eventually tracks him down. But as is often the case in this high-stakes world, there’s much more brewing beneath the surface. It’s a tale of two demagogues, no doubt, but let’s unpack this deeper than a trendy brunch menu.

As Oz and Sofia navigate their respective pursuits, they intertwine with potential allies like awkward brunch guests from a Nora Ephron film—some are charming, others cursed with the notion of being deeply misguided. Take Oz, for instance, whose conversation with other crime lords reveals his bitter conviction that people like Sofia and Salvatore Maroni (the ever-formidable Clancy Brown) are all too happy to reap the rewards without a whiff of the hard work. His plight stems from a humble beginning, you see. In his eyes, he’s the underdog who scrabbled his way to power, while the privileged are feasting at the table, oblivious to the toil of those beneath them.

Then there’s Sofia, who approaches Eve Karlo (played with an impressive subtlety by Carmen Ejogo) in a manner reminiscent of a tense family reunion. Sofia's choice to initially hold Eve at gunpoint speaks volumes—violence is her love language until she starts to see a reflection of herself. There's an unexpected kinship between them, two women navigating a world dominated by men, both trapped in their own twisted narratives.

Of course, our two protagonists are hypocrites in their own right. They possess this dual identity of being ruthless yet relatable. And therein lies the irony: Oz isn’t in this game to uplift souls; he’s chasing adoration, thirsting for the love that eluded him in childhood. Meanwhile, Sofia is bent on dismantling the patriarchal structures that raised her, wielding her last name with audacity even as she’s left in the ashes of what it once meant.

The season hits a poignant note with its closing scene—heart-wrenching, not because Sofia has found Oz but because here we have his mother, Francis (Deidre O'Connell), and Vic (Rhenzy Feliz) blissfully celebrating their twisted version of happiness. Oz has unwittingly created a family out of sheer ambition, while Sofia longs for the very concept of family she has lost. The irony is thick enough to cut with a knife.

This complicates their impending clash in Episode 7, adding delightful layers to their motivations. One might argue that although they’re both terrible people best avoided at any dinner party, Oz has far more at stake. But Sofia's thirst for vengeance is equally potent. As the episode unfolds, it promises a thrilling face-off that will reverberate, guaranteeing they’ll be formidable foes—not just for one another but for Gotham's masked vigilante himself, Batman.

So, if you haven’t tuned in yet, I suggest you do. You wouldn’t want to miss the delicious chaos of it all—trust me, it’s more satisfying than any late-night snack. The Penguin glides its way onto Max, with new episodes dropping every Sunday, delightfully revealing Oswald Cobblepot’s descent into the darkness of a gangster’s life. Prepare your popcorn; it’s going to be a bumpy ride.