The Penguin finale left fans with their jaws on the floor. It wrapped up with an unexpected, tragic death. With the clash between Sofia (Cristin Milioti) and Oz (Colin Farrell) reaching a boiling point, viewers were glued to their screens.
They were witnessing every twist, heartbreak, and jaw-dropping move Oz made in his pursuit of power. And just when you think you know Oz, he surprises you. And boy, did he deliver a shocker in that final episode.
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The season's grand finale, titled A Great or Little Thing, is a disturbing look into Oz’s true nature. Let’s get into why exactly Oz killed Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) in the finale, and what it means for his path forward.
Oz’s “mommy issues” in The Penguin
From the beginning, The Penguin has shown us Oz’s complex and often dark side. We especially see it in his relationship with his mother, Francis (Deirdre O'Connell). Those "mommy issues" aren't just quirks. They drive so much of his brutal ambition.
After surviving a near-death brawl at Monroe's bar, and being stabbed by his own mother, Oz finds himself coming to terms with his emotions. But, when he visits his mother in the hospital, she's in a vegetative state. She is unable to celebrate his success or express pride in him.
This cold reality hits Oz hard. It pushes him deeper into his dark, twisted psyche. He ends up bringing her into his penthouse, forcing her to live out the promise he made to her years ago. Though not exactly in the way he’d planned.
Vic’s fate in The Penguin
If there’s one person who’s been by Oz’s side through thick and thin, it’s Victor. Throughout the season, Vic is more than just a sidekick. He's family to Oz.
After all, Vic orchestrated several coups in Gotham’s criminal underworld. He helped Oz climb to the top. But, as we see in the finale, family means something very different to Oz. Sitting on a park bench with Vic, Oz acknowledges everything Vic’s done for him. He even called him “family.”
But, instead of thanking Vic, Oz does the opposite. He strangles him. But why? Because Oz can’t risk having anyone around who’s seen his vulnerable side.
In this tragic moment, Oz’s real colors come to surface. He tells Vic:
“You’re a good man, Vic. You got a good heart. It wasn’t for nothing.”
This is a pure power move. After all, Oz’s philosophy is that power doesn’t come with sentimentality. Despite all of Vic’s loyalty and sacrifices, Oz coldly eliminates him. This proves that to be in Oz’s world, you either accept his complete lack of weakness, or you’re gone.
The Penguin: The showrunner’s take on Oz’s decision
According to showrunner Lauren LeFranc, this moment was crucial for Oz's character. As she explained to Deadline, Oz's narcissism and hunger for control meant he couldn't tolerate anyone who had seen him at his lowest point.
For Oz, love is a vulnerability. And in his eyes, Vic’s loyalty could be a threat down the road. This decision wasn’t just about survival. It was Oz’s way of “killing his own heart” and fully embracing his dark side.
LeFranc describes Oz as “a broken man” who seeks love, but can't fully trust it. With Vic’s death, Oz officially crosses into a realm where power is everything. And anyone who even remotely threatens that power is disposable.
Also read: Matt Reeves confirms The Penguin's connection to a mobster and it’s not the Sopranos
The Penguin: Feliz’s take on his character’s death
The Penguin was made as a limited series from the start. It was meant to be a bridge to connect The Batman with its upcoming sequel. Knowing it was a short run helped Victor's actor, Rhenzy Feliz, come to terms with his character's tragic end.
In fact, Feliz shared with Deadline that showrunner Lauren LeFranc told him about Victor's fate at their first meeting itself. So, Feliz tried to make Victor's death as heartbreaking and impactful as possible for the viewers.
He also shared:
“Oz doesn’t want any weaknesses. He just experienced what it’s like when someone he cares about is put through pain. I think he doesn’t want to feel that vulnerable again, so he might as well just take Victor out now before someone uses it against him.”
He added that he wasn’t exactly sad over Victor’s fate. Since The Penguin was always meant to be a limited series, he knew that Victor’s journey would be a short one.
In fact, he figured that if his character had to go, there was no cooler way to exit than being taken down by the Gotham kingpin himself.
The Penguin sets the stage for The Batman Part II. Victor’s death serves as a reminder of Oz’s journey into darkness. It reminds us of the twisted choices he’s willing to make for power.
Also read: The Penguin Season 2 update: What is the strange condition under which it can happen? Explored
Stay tuned to Soap Central for more updates and detailed coverage.
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