The Penguin Episode 3 Recap & Ending Explained: The Cliffhanger and Oz’s Next Challenge

Warning! Spoilers ahead for The Penguin episode 3.

Episode 3 of The Penguin leaves fans on the edge of their seats with a major cliffhanger, as Oz Cobb faces a new threat that could jeopardize his quest to dominate Gotham’s underworld. Set just a week after the events of The Batman, this Max series showcases Colin Farrell as The Penguin, navigating dangerous alliances and looming threats as he rises to power. In this episode, Oz forms a tenuous partnership with Sofia Falcone but by the end, this fragile alliance may have already unravelled. Let’s dive into a detailed recap of The Penguin episode 3 and break down its explosive ending.

The Penguin’s Power Plays: Dealing with Both Maronis and Falcones

In the episodes leading up to this point, Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot has been playing a dangerous game, pitting two of Gotham’s most powerful crime families the Maronis and the Falcones against each other. This strategy is all part of his plan to seize control of the city’s criminal enterprises. But in episode 3, Oz’s moves become even more complicated when he teams up with Sofia Falcone, a woman with her own complicated history in Gotham.

Sofia has been somewhat of an outsider in her family, partly due to a past that includes a stint in Arkham State Hospital. Oz’s partnership with her is intended to strengthen his position, but the question remains: can Sofia trust him, given his role in betraying her to her father, Carmine Falcone? Let’s explore the key events in episode 3 and what they mean for Oz’s future.

Key Story Takeaways from The Penguin Episode 3

Before diving into the complex ending, here’s a quick summary of the episode’s major plot points:

• A flashback reveals the fate of Victor’s family during The Riddler’s flood.
• Sofia brings Penguin into her new drug operation, “Bliss.”
• Victor contemplates leaving Gotham for good, along with his close friend Graciela.
• Johnny Viti gives Sofia two days to leave Gotham or face deadly consequences.
• Oz sets up a drug distribution deal with Gotham’s Triads.
• Sofia and Oz blackmail Viti to arrange a meeting with the Triads’ leader, Feng Zhao.
• A trial run for the drug Bliss goes down with the Triads.
• Sofia reveals that Bliss was previously tested on Arkham patients.
• Victor angrily leaves Oz after a heated confrontation, but returns later to save him from an ambush by the Maroni family.

These key moments set the stage for the dramatic ending, where several relationships between the characters shift, and betrayals come to light.

Oz’s Betrayal: The Hangman and Sofia’s Grudge

One of the most pivotal moments in The Penguin episode 3 is the confrontation between Oz and Sofia Falcone. Despite their recent partnership in the Bliss drug operation, Sofia still harbours deep resentment toward Oz. Why? It all comes down to an old betrayal. Years ago, Oz sold Sofia out to her father, Carmine Falcone, revealing her secret identity as “The Hangman.” In DC Comics, The Hangman is a notorious criminal known for killing Gotham PD officers with a noose. Sofia’s stint in Arkham State Hospital can be traced back to this betrayal.

In episode 3, Oz admits to Sofia that while he didn’t know Carmine would send her to Arkham, he doesn’t regret his actions. In fact, he confesses that he’d do it all over again if given the chance. Why? Because turning in Sofia earned him the Favor of Carmine Falcone, leading to a life of power and influence. As a result of his betrayal, Oz was given control of The Iceberg Lounge and other key assets in Gotham’s underworld. Despite expressing some remorse over what happened to Sofia, Oz makes it clear that the personal gain he received made the betrayal worth it.

This revelation drives a wedge between the two, and it sets the stage for the episode’s tense conclusion.

The Maroni Family Strikes Back: Oz and Sofia Face a Deadly Threat

As if things weren’t complicated enough, the Maroni family makes their move against Oz and Sofia in the closing moments of episode 3. Even though Salvatore Maroni remains incarcerated, his wife Nadia is running the show on his behalf. Nadia and her henchmen confront Oz and Sofia, guns drawn, accusing Oz of making deals behind their back. The Maronis are furious because Oz had promised the new drug Bliss to Salvatore in exchange for taking credit for the murder of Alberto Falcone. But now, they feel double-crossed, as Oz has begun distributing the drug with Sofia instead.

The situation escalates quickly, and Oz finds himself at the mercy of the Maronis. It seems like this could be the end for Penguin until an unexpected ally arrives just in time.

Victor’s Return: From Betrayal to Redemption

Earlier in the episode, Victor Aguilar had decided to leave Gotham behind. After losing his family during The Riddler’s flood, Victor struggled with his role in Oz’s operations. His conscience was pulling him away from a life of crime, and he planned to flee the city with Graciela, a woman who had been with him when the flood struck. Oz, however, saw Victor’s departure as a betrayal, bitterly reminding Victor that he had given him opportunities most could only dream of.

Yet, as Victor prepares to leave Gotham for good, something changes. At the bus station, he hesitates. His ambition wins out over his moral conflict, and he decides to return to Oz’s side. Victor’s timing couldn’t have been better. Just as the Maronis are about to execute Oz and Sofia, Victor arrives and saves the day, ramming his car into one of the Maronis’ goons and giving Oz the chance to escape.

Why Oz Abandons Sofia: A Final Betrayal?

In the chaos that follows Victor’s dramatic rescue, Oz makes a surprising decision he tells Victor to leave Sofia behind. With gunfire ringing out, Sofia’s fate is left uncertain. Did she survive the encounter with the Maronis? The answer isn’t clear by the end of episode 3, but it’s highly unlikely that Sofia has met her end. Trailers for future episodes suggest that Sofia still has a significant role to play in the series, and there’s much more of her backstory yet to be explored.

So, why did Oz leave her behind? There are a few possible explanations. It’s possible that Oz saw the opportunity to rid himself of a dangerous ally, one who still harboured a grudge over his past betrayal. Alternatively, Oz may have made a deal with the Maronis off-screen, throwing Sofia under the bus in exchange for his own survival. Either way, it’s clear that the brief alliance between Oz and Sofia has come to an abrupt and violent end.

What’s Next for The Penguin? Oz’s New Challenges

As The Penguin moves forward, Oz faces an uncertain future. With Sofia possibly out of the picture and the Maronis still a threat, Oz will need to tread carefully if he wants to maintain his grip on Gotham’s criminal empire. His willingness to betray allies and do whatever it takes to survive has gotten him this far but how long can he keep playing this dangerous game? Only time will tell if Oz will continue to rise, or if his past betrayals will finally catch up with him.

Episode 3 Leaves Fans Wanting More

The Penguin episode 3 delivers a thrilling mix of action, betrayal, and character development, setting up the next chapter in Oz’s quest for power. With multiple alliances fractured and new enemies emerging, the stakes have never been higher for Gotham’s most infamous villain. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see what happens next and whether Sofia will return to exact her revenge on the man who betrayed her not once, but twice.

Stay tuned for more explosive episodes of The Penguin as the battle for Gotham’s underworld continues to unfold!