The Penguin Season Finale Brings the Series Full Circle, Sets the Stage for The Batman: Part II

Over the course of its seven-week run, HBO Max's The Penguin proved itself as a worthy spinoff series, standing firmly on its own without the need for cameos or name-drops from Bruce Wayne or Batman. However, the penultimate episode's devastating cliffhanger left fans clamoring for the Caped Crusader's arrival. In the final episode, "A Great or Little Thing," the symbolic Bat-signal finally made its appearance, bridging the gap between the series and the larger Batman universe.

A Mob War Reaches its Climax

The season finale saw Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) facing off against Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) in a desperate bid to save his mother, Francis Cobb (Deirdre O'Connell). Oz successfully rescues his mother and survives the gangland power struggle, but not without making some difficult choices. By manipulating the rival gangs into a massive coup, Oz manages to eliminate the competition and secure his position as a mob boss.

In a surprising twist, Oz spares Sofia's life and instead frames "The Hangman" for the Falcone-Maroni mob war and the bombing of Crown Point. This move allows Oz to level up his status in the Gotham underworld, but comes at a great personal cost. His mother is left in a vegetative state after suffering a stroke, and Oz is left emotionally broken, brutally murdering his right-hand man Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz) in the process.

The Dark Side of Oz's Ambition

As Oz celebrates his newfound status as a mob boss, he is shown to be living in a twisted world of his own creation. Holding his mother captive in a luxurious penthouse, Oz forces his prostitute "girlfriend" Eve (Carmen Ejogo) to dress up as his mother and lavish him with attention. This disturbing display of Oz's mental state serves as a stark reminder of the dark side of his ambition.

The Bat-Signal Beckons

In the final moments of the episode, the Bat-signal flashes over the Gotham skyline, casting a shadow over Oz's newfound power. This symbolic nod to the larger Batman universe serves as a reminder that Oz's struggle to maintain his grip on the city is far from over.

Setting the Stage for The Batman: Part II

With The Penguin series concluded, the ball is now in Matt Reeves' court to provide a reasonable explanation for Batman's absence during the major mob war and terrorist bombing. As the stage is set for The Batman: Part II in 2026, fans can't help but wonder how the Caped Crusader will react to the chaos that has unfolded in his city. Will Bruce Wayne's absence be justified, or will it be a plot hole that detracts from the larger narrative? Only time will tell, but based on The Penguin's exceptional character-building and world-building, we can give the showrunners the benefit of the doubt that a larger plan is in place.