The Penguin is no ordinary comic-book TV series. HBO's gritty DC show has been full of twists and emotional moments. It takes us far from the flashy reveals and endless Easter eggs that usually fill comic adaptations.
Episode 7 is the penultimate episode of the season. In this, fans got a shocking death scene that no one saw coming.
Salvatore Maroni is one of Gotham’s biggest crime lords. He finally gets his chance to take on Oz Cobblepot aka The Penguin, face-to-face. But the end of their fight took a turn nobody could have predicted.
Over the season, we’ve seen Oz pull off one clever scheme after another. He played Gotham’s criminal elite like pieces on a chessboard. He’s always managed to stay one step ahead. But this time, it was Sal’s moment to strike back. So, naturally the showdown was intense.
The buildup, the tension, and the twist at the end are what really make this scene stand out. Here’s everything you need to know about Sal’s surprising death and how it made Oz feel.
Salvatore Maroni vs. The Penguin
Throughout The Penguin, Oz has manipulated almost every powerful crime figure in Gotham. But none have felt the sting quite as much as Sofia Falcone and Salvatore Maroni. These two were out for revenge. And they weren’t about to take it easy on Oz. They wanted to take him down for good.
Sofia and Sal joined forces. And it was clear that they were ready to throw everything they had at The Penguin. In episode 7, the moment finally arrived. Sal caught Oz off guard. And also took out several of his men. Thus, Oz and Sal ended up in a brutal, no holds barred fight.
The surprise twist in The Penguin Episode 7
Something unexpected happened just when it looked like things could go either way. The fight had reached its peak. Just then, Sal clutched his chest. He was finding it hard to breathe.
The mob boss suffered a heart attack. Oz was standing right there when Sal collapsed and died. His long-awaited revenge slipped away in his last moments.
So, Sal’s death wasn’t because of Oz’s cunning or a bullet from his gun. It was sheer chance. This unexpected twist completely changed the tone of the scene.
Viewers might have expected Sal to meet his end in some epic battle or scheme. But instead, he died of a heart attack. This left Oz baffled and unable to fully claim victory.
Also read - The Penguin Episode 7 recap: Did Oz kill his own brothers?
Oz’s frustration with Sal’s death
What’s most interesting about this twist is how it leaves Oz feeling. The Penguin has always wanted to be seen as the top dog in Gotham. Defeating Sal in the fight would have been the ultimate proof.
But Sal’s heart attack took that victory away from him. Oz didn’t get to outsmart him or overpower him. Sal just died. It was evident from Oz’s reaction that he was wrestling with a mix of disappointment and disbelief.
Standing over Sal’s body, Oz muttered, “I got you.” These are the same words he said to Bruce Wayne in The Batman. But it rang hollow here, because he didn’t actually do anything to "get" Sal. Oz was just desperate for control.
He tried to convince himself that this was somehow his victory. His reaction is the perfect mix of narcissism and insecurity. It is a reflection of his inner struggle to truly feel powerful.
Oz had been in a great mood before the face-off. He was basking in small victories around Crown Point. His followers were loyal. They were even willing to die to protect their hideout.
Yet, just as he was gaining ground, Sal’s sudden heart attack robbed him of his biggest win. Oz was visibly rattled.
After Sal died, he fired multiple shots into the mobster’s body. This was a pointless act of anger and frustration. Then, in one final symbolic move, Oz took back a ring he’d taken off another rival’s corpse in the season premiere, marking his “win” in the most twisted way possible.
What does this mean for Oz’s future in The Penguin?
Sal’s death marks a pivotal moment in Oz’s journey. Even though he technically “won,” Oz isn’t satisfied. This hollow victory shows how deep his insecurities run. It raises questions about how he’ll handle future challenges.
If anything, this moment shows that The Penguin still craves validation and power that feel real, not accidental. Basically, he wants people to fear him.
Also read - The Penguin Episode 8: Release date and time, what to expect and more
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