The Penguin Episode 5 ‘Homecoming’ Review: A new game of illicit chess begins

Homecoming sets Oswald Cobb and Sofia Falcone Gigante on a collision course by brilliantly moving pieces into position. After last episode’s flashback approach, Episode 5 keeps the events in the present.

The reveal of the demise of the Falcone family forces Oz and Sofia to move their plans forward. Both are preparing for war in different ways. Oz tries to speed up his drug operations. Sofia is reorganizing the criminal empire her father built in her image.

There may not be a more entertaining marriage between character and actor than between Oz and Colin Farrell. Oz continues to find himself in impossible predicaments. Watching Oz weasel out of tight spots makes The Penguin must-watch television.

Cristin Milioti follows up her Emmy-worthy performance from Episode 4 with another terrific showing. Her piercing eyes are enough to send a chill down her spine. However, the penetrating dialogue by writers Breannah Gibson and Shaye Ogbonna and Milioti’s delivery shatters it altogether.

Homecoming shines brightest by demonstrating Oz’s most significant weaknesses and Sofia’s advantage in the upcoming war. Whether it’s his mother, Francis (Deirdre O’Connell), Vic (Rhenzy Feliz) or Eve (Carmen Ejogo), Oz has a lot of people he still cares about. Meanwhile, Sofia has no more family and has even renamed the organization after her mother’s maiden name.

The only issue in the episode was the shootout between Oz and the Maronis in the warehouse. The sequence was excellent for the most part. Oz’s face as he watches two people burn to death is revolting in the best way possible. However, I didn’t like how the deaths were staged. The flame going toward Nadia and Taj Maroni was pretty slow. Nadia faced Oz as he ignited the gasoline so there was time to move.

Outside of one scene, the combination of fantastic writing and brilliant performances continues to make The Penguin one of the year’s best shows.

Here’s a closer look at Oz and Sofia preparing for the opening salvo in their war with one another. The Penguin is streaming on Max

Torching the competition

Oz heats things up in more ways than one. He starts the episode by torching his purple Maserati. Oz decides to make another play for the mushroom drugs that are in the Maronis’ possession.

Taj Maroni reveals his location in a TikTok video. Oz kidnaps him and returns to Blackgate prison to renegotiate terms with Salvatore (Clancy Brown) and Nadia Maroni (Shohreh Aghdashloo). Raj will be returned to the Maronis unharmed in exchange for the mushroom.

Oz launches an attack on the Maronis’ compound. He releases Taj into his mother’s waiting arms. Then, Oz lights them both on fire.

The episode ends with Oz showing Vic an underground base of operations in Crown Point that has the perfect humidity for growing mushrooms.

Sofia’s Homecoming

After killing all of her family except her niece and Johnny Viti (Michael Kelly), Sofia must play the part of a grieving survivor. GCPD Chief Mackenzie Brock (Con O’Neill, reprising his role from The Batman) visits her. He finds death by gas leak too convenient. However, Sofia turns the tables on the commissioner by questioning whether he plans on selling the photos to the Gotham Gazette now that kickbacks are no more. He chooses to leave over pressing the issue further.

Sofia spends the rest of the episode forging and torching alliances while torturing Johnny. The latter persuades Sofia to spare him. However, she only keeps Johnny alive so he can die when it suits her best. During a family meeting, Johnny seems to throw his support behind Sofia. However, Johnny tries to get a word in when she reveals that the Falcone name is no longer there and the family will go by the Gigante family. Sofia responds with a lead-laced remark and removes the last semblance of the Falcone crime family empire her father built.

She ends the episode by visiting Salvatore. Oz tried to sever ties with the crime boss by arranging a shaking in prison. Salvatore survives and escapes prison. Sofia meets with Salvatore and offers a partnership to take down Oz.

Oz vs Sofia Chess Match

Oz and Sofia don’t interact, but Sofia’s moves force Oz to change his plans to protect his loved ones.

As repugnant as Oz is, he does have people he cares about. Sofia doesn’t care about anyone in her immediate circle. Oz’s family is a weakness Sofia can exploit.

After hearing the news of the demise of the Falcone family, Oz deduces precisely what happened. While trying to gain a foothold in the drug trade, he takes precautions to protect his mother. He sends Vic to take his mother someplace safe. Vic takes her to his neighborhood. A place where the wealthy Sofia wouldn’t set foot or expect the image-conscious Oz to be either.

The chess match between Oz and Sofia is just beginning. War is coming to Gotham’s streets, and the fallout should be bloody.

Homecoming Final Thoughts

Great performances, brilliant dialogue, and shockingly brutal scenes make episode 5 of The Penguin another hour of television. I love how the Homecoming title can apply to Sofia, Oz, and even Salvatore. Here are some things I’m looking forward to seeing in the next episode:

• Can Salvatore and Sofia coexist as partners?
• How can Oz increase the power he wields without also increasing his vulnerabilities?
• Who will grow the mushrooms in Oz’s new base of operations?

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