In the penultimate episode of The Penguin, titled "Top Hat," the series continues to explore its characters against a backdrop of high stakes and emotional turmoil. True to the modern prestige television formula, the episode opens with a flashback designed to offer deeper insights into the protagonist, Oz, and his tumultuous past. However, while this narrative technique often provides rewarding context, here it falls short, leaving much to be desired.
The flashback revolves around the tragic deaths of Oz's brothers, Jack and Benny. While it underscores Oz's brutality from a young age, it lacks the emotional depth that could enhance our understanding of his motivations. Fratricide is a harrowing experience that would undoubtedly shape a child’s psyche, yet the episode skims over this critical aspect, merely hinting at the psychological scars without delving into their implications. This missed opportunity makes it difficult to fully grasp why Oz behaves the way he does in the present. Additionally, the flashback doesn’t offer new insights into his relationship with his mother, Francis, reinforcing her relentless demands without adding meaningful complexity.
What "Top Hat" excels at, however, is character consistency. The interactions between Sofia and Eve, and later between Sofia and Francis, are particularly well-crafted. Their dialogues feel authentic, showcasing the dynamics established throughout the series. Francis’s fierce protectiveness over Oz is palpable, demonstrating her unwillingness to let anyone, not even Sofia, interfere with her son’s future. This makes their confrontations tense and engaging, especially when Francis reflects on the impact of Jack and Benny’s deaths on her mental state, highlighting the tragic undercurrents of dementia that the series has portrayed effectively.
The episode also shifts focus to the strained relationship between Oz and Salvatore, the Maroni boss who is reeling from the loss of his wife and son. This subplot adds a layer of emotional complexity, as Salvatore's grief turns into rage, which he directs toward Oz. The situation escalates predictably, but the unexpected heart attack that befalls Salvatore injects a surprising twist. In a poignant moment, Oz rushes to communicate to Salvatore that he won, a reflection of his desire for recognition even amid chaos. Whether Salvatore fully comprehends this message before his demise remains ambiguous, but it underscores the depth of Oz’s character as he grapples with the weight of his actions.
As the episode nears its conclusion, it builds to an explosive sequence that puts Oz and his crew in jeopardy. However, this climax feels more like a reset than a true escalation of the plot. By the end of "Top Hat," Francis remains in Sofia’s custody, and while the stakes are undoubtedly higher with Salvatore out of the picture and the Bliss business in disarray, the overarching narrative feels stagnant. Despite the thrilling moments, the episode concludes much as it began, with Oz back on a mission to reclaim his mother, highlighting the series' struggle with pacing and progression.
"Top Hat" contains some standout character moments and maintains a degree of tension, it ultimately struggles with pacing issues that leave the story feeling stagnant. The flashbacks, intended to deepen our understanding of Oz, instead come across as superficial, diminishing their intended impact. As we approach the finale, the groundwork laid in this episode feels necessary but ultimately unsatisfying, leaving viewers eager for more substantive developments in the conclusion of Oz's journey.
What did you think of the episode?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So
コメント