The season finale of The Penguin, titled “A Great or Little Thing,” throws us right into the dark, twisted world of Gotham. Directed by Matt Reeves, The Batman director, and showrunner Lauren LeFranc, this HBO Max series gives us a version of the Penguin that’s brutal, power-hungry, and relentless. Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb emerges as the city’s new kingpin, marking his victory with one intense final showdown and a personal celebration in his penthouse. The tuxedo he wears—a nod to the iconic DC Comics villain—screams confidence, almost as if he’s fully embraced his role as Gotham’s crime boss. But for all the victories, things don’t look entirely locked in for him.
There’s a chilling twist involving Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), whose arc ends in a terrible spiral back to Arkham State Hospital. The torment she endures isn’t just in her return to Arkham; it also comes with a haunting reminder of her past. Selina Kyle, better known as Catwoman and played by Zoë Kravitz, sends her a letter from beyond the walls of her confinement. This note, not just any ordinary letter, links them as half-sisters, hinting at a shared history that’s likely far from over. Lauren LeFranc wanted this moment to provide a glimmer of hope for Sofia amidst her misery.
One of the most talked-about moments of the episode is when Oz snaps and kills his right-hand man, Vic (Rhenzy Feliz). This murder isn’t just because Vic failed him; it’s a rejection of his own vulnerabilities. Oz, wrestling with his twisted feelings of attachment, ends Vic’s life right where they once shared a carefree slushie—what LeFranc now dubs the “suicide slushie” spot. It’s a brutal reminder of how far Oz is willing to go to protect his heart from any weakness.
Throughout the season, LeFranc dropped subtle visual clues, like the purple dress worn by Oz’s mother, Francis (Deirdre O’Connell). By the finale, Francis has become a shadow of her former self, confined and lifeless, almost like she’s trapped in a twisted version of her son’s reality. When Eve Karlo (Carmen Ejogo) appears wearing the purple dress, the image is haunting—emphasizing just how much Oz’s world has warped.
One final shot seals the finale’s place in Gotham’s overarching saga: the Bat Signal lights up the night sky, signaling that Robert Pattinson’s Batman will soon step into the chaos Oz has created. For the team behind The Penguin, this iconic image serves as a bridge into The Batman Part II, Reeves’ next film. But just as we sense that Oz’s story is far from over, HBO is reportedly interested in keeping the show going for a second season, especially with its popularity on par with The Last of Us and House of the Dragon.
Reeves has confirmed that Oz will play a role in The Batman Part II, and while plans for a new season of The Penguin aren’t solid yet, Reeves and LeFranc are already thinking of ways to keep things fresh. They’re not just after more episodes; they want to ensure that a possible continuation brings something compelling and new to Oz’s story.
It’s clear that Gotham’s dark underbelly still has plenty to offer. Whether it’s Oz navigating the shadows in Gotham or facing Batman head-on, there’s no shortage of conflict to keep us hooked. With HBO, Reeves, and LeFranc all seeing potential for more, Gotham fans can be hopeful that Oz’s journey is just beginning.