The Penguin Episode 7 recap: Did Oz kill his own brothers?

The Penguin Episode 7, titled Top Hat, takes us through a flashback. We come to know whether Oswald Cobblepot, aka “Oz” (played by Colin Farrell), really kill his own brothers.

It’s a wild ride that takes us deep into Oz’s twisted childhood. It shows just how dark his story truly is. If you thought Oz was just a gritty Gotham villain, Episode 7 will make you rethink everything.

The episode opens with a flashback to Oz’s childhood. There we meet his older brother Jack and younger brother Benny.

What happens next is both disturbing and heartbreaking. It shows us a young Oz who may have been shaped by Gotham’s shadows, and had some pretty dark traits from an early age.

Let’s get into The Penguin Episode 7 and break down everything that happened, especially that shocking flashback.

Disclaimer: The article contains major spoilers for The Penguin Episode 7. Reader discretion is advised.

The Penguin Episode 7: The flashback

In this episode, we go back in time to see young Oz (played by Ryder Allen) alongside his brothers, Jack and Benny. Their mother, Francis (portrayed in flashbacks by Emily Meade), drops them off to keep themselves busy.

She handles business with the intimidating gangster Rex Calibrisi (Louis Cancelmi). Jack tries to protect his brothers by suggesting that they should play “flashlight tag” in the tunnels under Gotham, when a storm arrives. It happens to be the same tunnels adult Oz later uses as his hideout.

But, things quickly take a dark turn. Jack and Benny are playful and agile. Young Oz, who has a leg brace, struggles to keep up with them. He gets frustrated and feels left out. So, he impulsively locks the door to the drainage tank where Jack and Benny are playing.

Oz does nothing to save them. Even the pouring rain and the rising water levels do not seem to bother him at all. Instead, he returns home to cozy up with his mother. He chooses comfort over the lives of his brothers.

Did young Oz intend to kill his brothers in The Penguin Episode 7?

The chilling part about this flashback isn’t just Oz’s impulsive act. It’s his inaction afterward.

When his mother starts to worry about Jack and Benny, Oz bluntly lies to her. He tells her that they went to the movies. His brothers’ cries for help echo in the flooded tunnel. But, Oz chooses not to save them.

According to showrunner Lauren LeFranc, this decision was pivotal. She points out that young Oz’s actions may seem like a childish reaction to feeling left out. But, they also reveal a deeper, darker streak. What makes the scene all the more haunting is Oz’s choice to do nothing, even after knowing the likely outcome.

LeFranc explains that Oz’s inaction wasn’t just about revenge. Instead, it reflects a longing for his mother’s undivided attention. With Jack and Benny out of the way, Oz finally has his mother all to himself. That’s also the desire that drives him in his quest for power in Gotham, as an adult.

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The Penguin Episode 7: The present day

In the present day, things are heating up between Oz and his rivals. Oz discovers his ally Victor, unconscious. And it’s revealed that Sofia Gigante (Cristin Milioti) has taken his mother, Francis (Deirdre O'Connell), hostage.

This escalates tension as Oz faces threats from all sides. That also includes Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown), who attacks Oz. He hopes to take control of Oz’s Bliss operation.

However, during a struggle with Oz, Maroni suffers a heart attack. Oz claims he beat Maroni in a fight and even takes his ring as a trophy. This move seems to boost Oz’s confidence. But, it doesn’t stop Sofia from going after what she wants.

Oz tries to negotiate with Sofia by offering her his Bliss operation in exchange for his mother’s safety. But, Sofia is already several steps ahead. She sends a car loaded with explosives to destroy Oz’s operations. This shows she’s just as cutthroat as he is.

Sofia isn’t only after Oz’s business. Her aim is to dismantle him entirely. By taking his mother hostage and setting off explosions, Sofia seems intent on destroying everything Oz holds dear, just like how he once stripped her father of his empire.

The Penguin Episode 7: The final showdown

At the end of The Penguin Episode 7, we’re left with one final cliffhanger. Oz is caught in the explosion. But, he finds a way to survive. He goes back to the same underground tunnel where he left his brothers to drown as a child.

It’s a symbolic return to the darkest part of his past. It foreshadows the internal reckoning he’s about to face. In a twist, Detective Marcus Wise knocks Oz unconscious. He is then delivered straight to Sofia.

As we gear up for the season finale, it’s clear that Sofia holds all the cards as of now. She also could reveal the truth about Jack and Benny’s deaths to Francis.

This would shatter the love Oz has always had from his mother. He’s always sought his mother’s affection. So, this could be the ultimate blow for him.

The Penguin finale promises to be a dramatic one. Sofia is likely to use every piece of leverage she has against Oz.

As for Oz, his mother’s life is in the balance. His empire is also crumbling. But, he always finds a way to twist situations to his advantage. So, he could still have a few tricks up his sleeve.

Also Read: Top 5 reasons why The Penguin is the best Batman villain