Episode Three: “Bliss”
The third episode of HBO’s “The Penguin” (2024) begins from the perspective of a character viewers so far have only learned little about — Victor Aguilar, played by Rhenzy Feliz.
In flashbacks, viewers learn Victor is an orphan because his family drowned and died as a result of Gotham City’s seawall being destroyed by the hand of the Riddler (Paul Dano).
The only person Victor knows who survived the flood is his girlfriend, Graciela (Anire Kim Amoda). After reconciling in Oz’s apartment, Graciela gives Victor the choice to leave with her for a better life away from Gotham City.
Victor is torn on whether he should leave but tells Oz he plans to leave him later in the episode, breaking Oz. Oz informs Victor he genuinely respects him and spared his life several times when he could’ve easily taken it from him.
By the end of the episode, Victor decides to stay with Oz and saves him from being executed by Maroni’s henchmen. At this point, Victor’s hands are as dirty as Oz’s hands, and running away will not stop what's coming for him.
Feliz does a tremendous job playing a character who doesn’t know what he wants. Feliz plays Victor with an authenticity and likeness that isn’t seen in many supporting roles. Hopefully his story is developed more and is given more to do than just being Oz’s driver.
The rest of the episode shows Oz and Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) working together and trying to start a new business relationship with other crime groups. They seem to actually respect each other, but all that changes when Sofia learns Oz was working with Maronis.
Oz flees the scene with Victor, leaving Sofia behind.
Episode Four: “Cent’Anni”
Like the previous episode, this one also features flashbacks. The audience learns how Sofia Falcone landed in Arkham Asylum 10 years prior to the events of “The Batman” (2022) and “The Penguin.” The audience is reintroduced to Carmine Falcon, but this time he’s played by Mark Strong instead of John Turturro.
Lauren LeFranc, the developer and showrunner for the series, explained in a recent interview the reason for the recast saying, “John Turturro was unavailable to reprise his role as Carmine Falcone due to scheduling conflicts.”
Turturro’s portrayal of Carmine Falcone was one of the highlights of “The Batman,” and is likewise for Strong in “The Penguin.” Both actors are very distinct in their appearance and tone, but they compliment each other extremely well.
Strong took what Turturro and added more to the character. For the episode, he does not have a lot of screentime. However, it is just enough for Strong to convey to the audience Carmine is not someone to mess with. He will do anything to protect his name, even if it means abandoning his own flesh and blood.
Sofia is sent to Arkham Asylum by the decision of Carmine and those who work for him. She’s an outsider and is being institutionalized for the crimes of her father. The audience gets to witness Sofia’s mental state slowly deteriorate over her 10 year tenure at Arkham.
Arkham is shot with moody lighting and a hellish atmosphere, making it seem unpleasant and unfriendly. Once Sofia gets out, she goes on her own journey that does not include her family or Oz. She is looking to now be a true villain for the rest of the series.
