The Penguin Episode 4 Recap & Ending Explained

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Penguin episode 4The Penguin episode 4 features a shocking ending as the series kicks into high gear for Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti). As seen in the new Max series starring Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb, The Penguin managed to form an alliance with Sofia in the episodes released thus far. However, it seems as though their partnership has already fallen apart following major revelations connected to Sofia’s past and a bold decision made by the daughter of Carmine Falcone.




In episodes of The Penguin released thus far, Oz Cobb has been trying to claim more power in Gotham’s underworld, possessing an ambition that’s matched only by Sofia Falcone herself. While the two had been working together to overthrow the Falcones, Oz’s secret dealings with the Maronis finally catch up to him at the beginning of The Penguin episode 4. Sofia now sees who and what Oz truly is as the episode explores not only her past in Arkham, but also her future. Keeping that in mind, here’s our recap of The Penguin episode 4 and its shocking ending explained.


The Penguin Episode 4 Spoilers & Key Story Takeaways

  • The Maronis confront Oz and Sofia outside the Triad club.
  • Sofia learns the truth about Oz killing Alberto, calls Doctor Julien Rush.
  • A flashback reveals how Sofia found herself in Arkham 10 years earlier.
  • Sofia is confronted by a reporter who’s drawing connections between her mother Isabella’s alleged suicide by hanging and seven women who’ve been hung and worked for Carmine Falcone’s businesses.
  • Carmine wants Sofia to run the family business.
  • Sofia starts questioning her mother’s death, and meets with the reporter.
  • Sofia remembers key details, confirming Carmine killed Isabella.
  • Sofia’s driver (Oz) rats Sofia out to Carmine.
  • Carmine has Sofia arrested, and has the family testify to his daughter having mental illness.
  • Sofia is sent to Arkham for six months for psychological experiments and evaluation.
  • Sofia’s trial is denied, motivating Sofia to kill Magpie. Doctor Julien Rush quits over his guilt.
  • In the present, Julien saves Sofia and brings her to his home.
  • Sofia comes to the Falcones’ family dinner, claiming she’s leaving for Italy.
  • Sofia kills the entire Falcone family with gas, but keeps Johnny and Gia Viti alive.


Why Sofia Killed The Falcones

Claiming Vengeance For The Last 10 Years

After being saved by Doctor Julien Rush (who treated her in Arkham), Sofia concludes that she’s not the one who’s broken at the end of The Penguin episode 4, having been framed for murders she didn’t commit and made to think she was certifiably insane for the last 10 years. Returning to the Falcone mansion, Sofia crashes dinner, knowing full well the rest of the family wants her gone and out of Gotham. This is why she claims that she intends to leave for Italy to put the entire family at ease.

Related

The Penguin Show Cast & DC Character Guide

Set to release in 2024, The Penguin will continue to flesh out Matt Reeves’ Gotham with Colin Farrell set to reprise his role as Oz Cobb.


However, this is all a ruse, seeing as how Carmine had the family sign affidavits claiming Sofia suffered from mental illness. The Falcones completely and utterly betrayed her as Sofia involuntarily took the blame for Carmine’s murders. It’s because of her family that Sofia became known as the Hangman, seen as nothing more than an insane serial killer.

Having been tormented and psychologically tortured for 10 years in Arkham, Sofia wants revenge on the family, especially after they try to push her out following her exoneration, rather than asking for forgiveness or trying to reconcile now that Carmine is dead. Wanting nothing less than the top seat she was always meant to have, Sofia murdering nearly the entire Falcone family with gas is pure vengeance. It also ensures that she will likely no longer have any problems taking over the Falcone empire going forward.


Why Sofia Keeps Johnny and Gia Viti Alive

Two Very Different Reasons

In Johnny Viti’s case, Sofia keeping him alive is likely strategic. Being an underboss, Johnny will likely be the key to securing all the resources and loyalties Sofia needs to keep the Falcone empire going into the future. After all, Sofia trying to claim the top spot on her own without having an established authority to legitimize her leadership would likely prove to be pretty challenging.


In the case of Gia Viti, sparing the young girl implies Sofia isn’t completely heartless, despite this incredibly dark series of actions in The Penguin episode 4. Taking her to the mansion’s greenhouse, Sofia didn’t want Gia to see all the death at such a young age as she did when she found her mother who’d been hung by her father. While it’s not yet known what will happen to Gia going forward, it’s possible that Sofia will adopt the girl, and she’ll live with her as she stakes her claim on the Falcone empire, though she may also try and use her as leverage to force Johnny’s cooperation.

What Wil Sofia Falcone Do Next In The Penguin

Claiming The Family Business For Herself (Plus Revenge on Penguin)

Sofia (Cristin Milioti) Looking at Oz defiantly in The Penguin Season 1 Episode 3
Image via Max

First and foremost, the bodies and a convincing alibi will have to be created for Sofia to fully get away with her mass family murder. That said, she more than likely has a plan for dealing with them. Furthermore, Sofia will also have to find a way to coerce Johnny’s help when it comes to securing her new position with the family business. At any rate, it does seem likely that revenge on Oz will be a big priority for Sofia as The Penguin continues, especially now that her treacherous family has been taken care of.


Having learned the truth at the beginning of the episode that Oz was the one who killed Alberto Falcone, there’s likely no way that Oz and Sofia will be able to repair their partnership. It’s a miracle it got as far as it did considering what he did to her in the past. Alberto was the only one who remained loyal to Sofia. As such, it’s almost a guarantee that Sofia will be looking to continue her vengeance in future episodes of The Penguin.

New episodes of The Penguin stream Sunday nights on Max.

The Penguin

Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022’s film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family’s empire.

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