SPOILER ALERT! This story contains details from the final episode of The Penguin on HBO. HBO’s dark tale about the rise of Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot has come to an end, and not surprisingly, the limited series from Lauren LeFranc has left us with a few burning questions. Why did such a major character have to die in the finale? Will Sofia ever get out of Arkham? Is Oz’s mom actually lucid? Is Batman about to save the day? LeFranc provides some answers, along with what to expect in the future from the classic DC villain.
DEADLINE Oz’s decision to kill Victor was so shocking in so many ways. For one thing, he needs allies in this world, especially moving forward. Doesn’t he? LAUREN LEFRANC I would think so, but Oz doesn’t see it like that.
With the gangs, he has the number twos take out their bosses. That’s very poignant in his mind. That’s Victor’s idea, in part, so that shows you a lot more about Oz, as well.
He hopes the people beneath those bosses will feel indebted to him. That’s sort of creating his own coalition, one that he could maybe tout as more democratic than it is, but one in which he holds the power. DEADLINE Did you intend for the viewers to end up sympathizing more with Sofia than Oz? We can understand why she turned bad because of the way that she was treated, whereas it just felt like Oz was born damaged to the core.
LEFRANC I do try to bring empathy to all of the characters I write. It was really important for me, especially in the begi.
