Episode 6 of ‘The Penguin’ Teases the Rise of Batman’s Most Formidable Foe

‘The Penguin’ Episode 6 aptly titled “The Gold Summit” has shown us the aftermath of the murder of Nadia and Taj Maroni. We know that Sofia is now running under the name Gigante, affiliated to Salvatore Maroni who successfully broke out of prison after The Penguin made an attempt on his life.

The Penguin at the same time managed to set up the whole mushroom operation underneath Crown Point. He is using the maintenance tunnels to hide and dispatch the drug, like a rat.

The drug that Oz has stolen from Sofia – Bliss, is slowly taking over the city but as the leaders of crime families affiliated with Oz will soon learn – it’s a dangerous drug. Everyone who peddles Bliss has found themselves as the target of the Gigante clan. Sofia and Salvatore are indiscriminately killing everyone peddling Bliss to send a message – if you’re working with Oz your days are numbered.

Naturally, this presents a problem for Oz. He realizes that no matter how good the drug is no one will want it in their territory under the looming threat of murder. Oz decides to overflow all territories with free Bliss somewhat forcing the crime families to meet with him and strike a deal.

This was quite a brilliant move from Oz’s side. The crime families literally have everything to lose if they don’t strike a deal with him. The drug is still on their territories but they are not making any money from it. Considering that Sofia and Salvatore are now using the “shoot first ask questions later” strategy, they likely won’t be able to explain what happened and that they are not actually affiliated with the Penguin.

So, might as well make money off of it. During the Golden Summit, Oz perfectly played on the weakness, paranoia, and insecurities of other gangs. He tells them that in order to establish themselves, Gigantes are likely going to try to stretch in their territories.

He offers them a unique opportunity to strike while the iron is hot. Gigantes are remnants of the old blood, but they are also kind of in a mess in the last few weeks and there has never been a better time to take them down once and for all.

Oz’s inspiring speech comes with a hefty price tag however, as we have no doubt that he will turn on them in an instant, which begs us to ask – If they are all aware of Oz’s lack of codex, why are they making a deal with him?

There’s a good reason why Penguin is considered one of Batman’s most powerful enemies, and the one having perhaps the biggest criminal empire in Gotham. Oz doesn’t merely sell you drugs, he sells you the idea that you are actually in charge every step of the way.

Even when he is lying to you, his appearance and ramblings make you think “This guy can’t possibly take me down.” Currently, all the gang leaders are making the same mistake as Falcones, Maronis, and now Gigantes. They severely underestimate the depravity and audacity that Penguin is capable of.

The Penguin’s greatest strength in Batman comics is his strategic genius and underworld influence. Unlike many of Batman’s more physically imposing villains, Oz relies on his sharp intellect, business acumen, and deep connections within Gotham’s criminal underworld to maintain power.

He also has an exceptional ability to read people and exploit their weaknesses, their moral codex, and ultimately their narcissism. Episode 6 shows us the slow, painful, and likely bloody rise of The Penguin to the top of Gotham’s crime empire.

We have no doubt that Salvatore will likely be “removed” from the board by the end of the series, as well as other crime families, but what about Sofia? Sofia is likely the only person on the show who has come close to understanding what Penguin actually is, and we have no doubt that she will exploit it.

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