HBO’s The Penguin brings a fresh look at the twisted DC villain Oswald Cobblepot (Oz), famously known as the Penguin. The series takes some major creative liberties, especially with the portrayal of Oz’s family. Unlike the comics, where he has three brothers, the show introduces us to two siblings Jack and Benny who play a pivotal role in understanding Oz’s troubled past.
The Penguin dives deep into Oz’s story, taking us beyond his life of crime to uncover his complicated family dynamics. His journey as a villain is shown through complex relationships, especially with his mother and his siblings, which paint a tragic picture of his early years.
These differences bring fresh depth to the storyline, highlighting Oz’s childhood struggles and how these relationships shaped him.
Oz’s brothers in The Penguin
Benny and Jack are new names in the series. They represent two different aspects of Oz’s past. Through the show’s early episodes, we sense a tense, unspoken history between them and Oz. He avoids talking about them and even warns his friend Victor not to mention them in front of his mother.
The series hints that there’s a darker reason Oz avoids discussing his brothers. Whenever the topic comes up, Oz is visibly uncomfortable and deflects it. This secrecy builds up to episode 7, where we finally learn the tragic story of what happened between Oz, Jack, and Benny.
Episode 7 takes us back to Oz’s childhood, showing a side of him that’s protective of his mother, Francis. Young Oz loves his mother deeply and tries to help her as much as possible. But even as a child, he felt somewhat overlooked by her, as her attention seemed divided, especially when his brothers were around.
Oz always looked out for his mother, wanting to spend time with her and offer his help. However, Francis seemed too occupied, and Oz felt like he was fighting for her attention. This childhood frustration may have added to the tension between him and his brothers.
The flashback also introduces Rex Calabrese, a neighborhood gangster whom Oz idolized. For Oz, Rex represented the strength and influence he longed for. When Rex gives Jack a $50 bill and asks about Francis, it’s clear that Oz sees him as a role model, someone he aspires to emulate.
The game that went wrong
During this flashback, the brothers decide to play a game of flashlight tag in the dark tunnels. Oz, playing the role of “it,” counts to ten while Jack and Benny run to hide. But what seems like a simple game turns dark as Oz feels abandoned and frustrated.
Oz’s clubfoot makes it difficult for him to move as easily as his brothers, leading to moments of embarrassment and frustration. When he realizes Jack and Benny are hiding in the sewer a place he can’t reach because of his disability he starts feeling that they’re mocking him intentionally.
In a fit of frustration, Oz decides to lock his brothers inside the sewer, preventing them from coming out. Although this action was driven by anger, Oz likely didn’t fully understand the dire consequences it would have.
Despite the horrific event, Oz continues his life, but the guilt stays with him. He was only a child, unable to comprehend the full impact of his actions. Still, the trauma of losing his brothers in this way shapes him into the man we see in The Penguin series.
Oz is a complicated character. While he’s capable of ruthless actions, he also shows moments of kindness, like helping those around him and providing for his community. His desire for respect and to support his mother contrasts with his darker impulses, setting him apart from other characters like Sofia, who also has her fair share of moral ambiguity.
The story of Oz locking his brothers in the sewer reveals the deep-rooted pain that fuels his ambition and cruelty. The memory of his brothers' tragic deaths haunts him.
This layered portrayal in The Penguin shows Oz not just as a villain, but as a complex, broken individual shaped by guilt, regret, and a longing for acceptance.
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