As quickly as I could folks, here is my The Penguin Episode 5 review and this week’s latest instalment is thankfully just as good as what came before. As always, this is a SPOILER FREE review, so I won’t be getting into plot specifics in case you’re reading this curious as to whether to take a look for yourself.
You should, well, if you like gritty crime drama’s you should. This show is like a crossover between The Batman (obviously) and a hybrid of The Sopranos and Breaking Bad. I’m not necessarily saying it’s as good as those shows overall. Hard for The Penguin to compete with two of the best TV series ever made, which both lasted for multiple seasons. However, it’s in the same ball park and that means quality TV.
Sofia remains my favourite character, and I guess she’s the one that you feel some empathy for. Not for what she is doing now. Instead perhaps we understand how she was pushed this far. That being said, you think about where this all HAS to go and I can’t see Sofia’s fate being kind to her. Milioti is brilliant, and watching her turn that corner this week is fun to see.
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At the same time, I feel like The Penguin could almost be characterised as Victor making a series of very bad decisions, one after another. It’s compelling to watch in a macabre sort of way. At every point you’re thinking, don’t do this or that Vic and he consistently makes the bad choice. What is a life in crime but a series of bad choices, and one day a turning point you can’t come back from? Oz, he’s already too far gone, but he’s dragging Vic with him. Thing is, I could totally see Oz not bat an eyelid at sacrificing Vic at any point. I’m not saying that will happen in this series, but it’s coming one day.
As for Oz himself, there is no empathy. Sure, we may begin to understand why he is the way he is. However, that doesn’t elicit empathy for him, or his mother. Yet, Oz’s story is still interesting to watch unfold and Farrell is still delivering a career best performance, for me. The look of pleasure on his face at one particularly gruesome death was unnerving. Brutal at times this week and it’s the brutality of this show which marks it apart from pretty much any other comic book adaptation.
As the events unfold the tension is getting palpable. There’s really no one good left to be concerned for. Yet, you’re still anxious about what could happen next, because when a character’s time comes, we won’t get to spend more time with them. That’s the mark of well written characters. They don’t have to be nice people, but you know the drama you’re enjoying will be a little less remarkable once they leave it.
Some nice call backs to The Batman again. Nothing that will get Leo pointing at the screen in the classic meme here. Small little things which instead of being fan service, they help to make this city and this universe feel alive. Has Penguin possibly just found his lair? Can’t wait for Episode 6.
GRADE: A
Not quote as good as last week’s A+, but probably my second favourite episode of the series so far.
So, what do you think of my Episode 5 review for The Penguin? As always, leave your thoughts, or your own Episode 5 review below in the comments.
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