In its fifth episode, The Penguin becomes the heightened superhero show it was always meant to be.
This review contains spoilers forThe Penguinepisode 5.
Forget the mobster machinations of Oz and Sofia.
The real excitement ofThe Penguinhas come from the onscreen battle between actorsColin Farrelland Cristin Milioti.
Once mother and son reunite, Oz burns the two alive.
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Shaver doesnt shy away from the cruelty of the familys death.
Instead, she holds the camera on Ozs face, letting the pyre highlight the intensity of his face.
Oz going big and bad gives heretofore flagging storylines room to breathe on their own.
The subplot about Vic caring for Ozs mother, suffering the onset of dementia, finally makes sense.
Although Homecoming sets Oz on the rise, hes still the Penguin at heart, an imperfect villain.
Sal survives the assassination attempt and most of the Bliss supply gets destroyed.
Yet, all of these contours make this version of the Penguin so interesting.
It takes no more than a thoughtless word or a disappointed sigh to reduce Oz to a quivering mess.
Now, let the fight begin.
The Penguin airs on HBO and Max at 9 p.m.
Rating:
4 out of 5
