Episode 3 of The Penguin just dropped, and wow, things escalated quickly. The episode picks up shortly after the events of Episode 2, with Sofia Falcone intensifying her scheming alongside Oz as she plots to seize control of the Falcone family.

Sofia is using her late brother’s plan to introduce a new drug, “Bliss,” into the market. This drug is made from the basidiospores of the Bleeding Crown mushroom, something Sofia encountered during her time at Arkham. It’s likely this experience influenced Alberto’s decision to bring the drug to the streets.

Now, Sofia has the name, the power, the money, and the drug. But what does Oz bring to the table? Why does she need him? Oz is a smooth talker with connections all over the city. He’s also one of the few shameless enough to do business with people he’s betrayed, which makes him a valuable player in her plans.

However, there’s a lingering grudge from their past. Sofia can’t forget that it was Oz who ratted her out. As he freely admits, he has no regrets. He sold her out to both her family and the authorities, hoping to “move up in the world.” Unfortunately for him, that never quite happened, and he never gained the respect he expected. As Sofia pointedly reminds him, he’s not even a “made man.”

Despite the tension, Oz and Sofia are working together to bring the Triads into their drug operation. But Mr. Zhao, the Triad boss, wants solid proof that the Falcone family—specifically Johnny Vitti—is backing this new deal.

With some clever manipulation, Penguin manages to blackmail Johnny Vitti, who’s been having an affair with Luca Falcone’s wife, into endorsing Sofia’s new venture. Everything seems to be falling into place, with Oz, his crew, Victor, and Sofia planning to push the drug through the Triads’ nightclub.

But there’s one crucial detail that seems to slip Oz’s mind as soon as a new opportunity arises—he’s still supposed to be working with the Maroni family, a deal he made in desperation.

After closing the deal with the Triads, Sofia, and Oz have a candid conversation in a back alley. Oz admits he was the one who ratted her out but insists she should give him a chance to earn her trust again.

Right then, the Maroni squad launches an attack. Nadia Maroni confronts Oz, furious that he’s supposed to be securing Drops for them, not cutting deals with their enemy. The Maronis are outraged that Oz is pushing a new drug behind their backs.

In a lucky twist, Victor—who had planned to escape Gotham with his girlfriend—returns to the nightclub after having a change of heart. He sees Oz and Sofia being held at gunpoint and decides to intervene by ramming his car into the Maronis. He takes out at least one of their henchmen on-screen, saving Oz from certain death.

As they make their escape, Victor asks if they should rescue Sofia too. Oz coldly tells him to drive away, leaving Sofia behind with the Maronis. While we don’t see Sofia die on-screen, it’s heavily implied that she either perished in the crash or will eventually be killed by the Maroni family.

Why Sofia Being Captured by the Maroni Family Spells Trouble for Oz

Sofia being killed by Victor or the Maroni family is actually the best-case scenario for Oz, as he stands to gain a lot from it. Since the Triads and Sofia’s lab crew already associate Oz with her, he could seamlessly take over the operation and continue pushing the new drug even after her death.

Oz could also return to the Falcone family and claim that the Maronis were responsible for Sofia’s death. This would further fuel the narrative of a renewed rivalry between the families, reinforcing the idea that the Maronis were also behind Alberto’s murder. In doing so, Oz could regain favor with both Luca and Johnny.

However, if Sofia survives but ends up held by the Maronis, it’s a disaster for Oz. She could discover that he was the one who returned the Maroni ring to Salvatore, meaning Oz orchestrated Alberto’s murder and framed the Maronis. She’d also realize Oz had been plotting to double-cross the Falcone family to pursue his own agenda with the Maronis.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!