The Penguin Episode 7 Ending Explained: Sofia’s Actions After Meeting Oswald’s Mother

The highly anticipated seventh episode of The Penguin, titled Top Hat, officially debuted on HBO Max on November 3, 2024. As the penultimate installment of the series, this episode continues the gripping narrative established in its predecessor.

In the previous episode, Sofia confronted a shocking reality—Oswald’s mother, Francis Cobb, was not only alive but was also being held captive in her home. As tensions escalated, Salvatore Maroni was en route to Crown Point with plans to eliminate Oswald.

Warning: Spoilers for The Penguin Episode 7 Ahead.

Key Events from The Penguin Episode 7

Episode 7 reveals how Oswald Cobb navigates yet another perilous predicament. While Sofia threatens to exploit his mother’s captivity as leverage against him, Sal Maroni arrives with ambitions to seize control of Oswald’s illicit drug operation, ‘Bliss.’ In a shocking turn of events, this episode culminates in Maroni’s death during a tense showdown with Oswald.

Furthermore, the show delves into Oswald’s traumatic past, highlighting his fraught relationships with his brothers. Viewers witness the profound impact of his brothers’ deaths—an event for which Oswald holds himself partially accountable—on Francis’ mental state and health.

The Dark Genesis of Oswald’s Relationships

The episode opens with unsettling revelations about Oswald’s childhood. It explores his desperate need for maternal affection overshadowed by the preferential treatment of his brothers. This dynamic fosters jealousy, particularly exacerbated by Oswald’s physical limitations stemming from his defective leg.

In a crucial scene, Francis enlists Jack to take Oswald and his younger brother out, where they encounter Rex Calabrese, a gangster aligned with Francis. Unbeknownst to them, this encounter is pivotal, as it highlights Oswald’s budding, yet conflicted, intrigue with the criminal underworld.

As rain pours down, the trio of brothers seeks refuge in the sewers, engaging in a game of tag. Tensions soar when Oswald, stymied by his injury, locks his brothers out in anger, leading to their tragic drowning. This haunting moment solidifies the tragic foundation of Oswald’s relationship with his mother as he ultimately comforts her by fabricating a story about their absence.

Sofia’s Calculated Manipulation

Still from The Penguin Episode 7 — A still from *The Penguin* Episode 7 (Image via @TheBatman on X)

The storyline then reverts to the present, where Sofia directly confronts Francis, who vitriolically warns her that Oswald will retaliate against her. This confrontation sends Francis into a breakdown, revealing her fragile state.

Simultaneously, Sofia grapples with complications of her own. She learns from Julian Rush about her niece Gia’s suspicions regarding the Falcones’ deaths, which were facilitated by Sofia’s machinations. In a moment of clarity, Sofia comforts Gia, assuring her of a better future, free from the malevolent influences of their past.

The Downfall of Salvatore Maroni

The stakes escalate when Oswald returns to Crown Point only to discover that Sofia has abducted his mother. He finds himself facing Maroni alone, who holds him at gunpoint in a dramatic confrontation meant to solidify his claim as the new boss. However, the encounter turns deadly as Maroni suffers a heart attack mid-fight, leading Oswald to emerge victorious in an unexpected twist.

Oswald’s Struggle for Power

Despite his seemingly triumphant moment against Maroni, Sofia’s machinations take a dark turn. After confronting Gia, Sofia conspires to further undermine Oswald by dispatching a car bomb to his headquarters, an act that creates chaos in the city. The ongoing threat of violence looms as the episode alternates between present-day trauma and flashbacks to Francis’ own guilt and aspirations for Oswald.

The episode concludes with Oswald awakening amid the destruction left in the bomb’s aftermath, only to discover Sofia has taken his mother to a club with deeply personal ties to Oswald, intertwining their fates further.

The Penguin Episode 7 is currently available for streaming on HBO Max, inviting viewers to delve deeper into this dark narrative.

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