With the chilling utterance, “That’s the thing about family. It’s your strength. It drives you. But f* if it don’t make ya weak too. And I can’t have that no more,” Oswald “Oz” Cobb, a.k.a. The Penguin, cemented his place as one of the most ruthless villains in the DC universe. In the gritty world of The Penguin, a spin-off from 2022’s The Batman, we witness Oz’s calculated ascent through Gotham’s criminal underbelly. While his journey is paved with numerous acts of cruelty, one stands out as particularly heinous and personally devastating: the murder of Victor Aguilar. But Why Did Penguin Kill Victor**, his trusted right-hand man and arguably the closest thing he had to a friend?
The Penguin’s Ruthless Ambition and Rise to Power
Oz Cobb is a man driven by ambition. Seizing the power vacuum left by Carmine Falcone’s demise, he meticulously dismantles rival gangs, outmaneuvers Sofia Falcone, and eliminates Salvatore Maroni. His rise to become Gotham’s kingpin is a testament to his cunning and brutality. Penguin isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, betray alliances, and even resort to burning his enemies alive to achieve his goals. By the finale of The Penguin, he seemingly has everything he ever desired – control of Gotham’s underworld.
However, this ascent is far from a solo effort. Throughout his treacherous climb, Victor Aguilar has been Penguin’s steadfast ally. Victor’s loyalty, resourcefulness, and strategic mind are instrumental in Oz’s success. He saves Penguin’s life on multiple occasions, ensures the safety of Penguin’s mother, and even proposes the pivotal strategy of uniting the gang deputies – a move that solidifies Penguin’s power. Victor was more than just an associate; he was a confidant and a key architect of Penguin’s empire.
The Shocking Betrayal: Why Victor’s Death is So Brutal
In a move that sent shockwaves through viewers, The Penguin episode 8 culminates in Oz strangling Victor to death. This act is particularly jarring because it occurs after Penguin has achieved his ambitions. One might expect Penguin to reward Victor, his loyal and invaluable partner. Instead, he eliminates him.
Penguin’s stated reason for killing Victor is to eliminate weakness. He believes that sentimentality and attachment are liabilities in his new position of power. He claims Victor, who has become like family, is a vulnerability that could be exploited. However, this justification rings hollow when considering Penguin’s other relationships. He continues to care for his comatose mother and remains entangled with Eve Karlo, unaware of her betrayal to Sofia Falcone, a betrayal that directly led to his mother’s stroke and other significant setbacks. These relationships, arguably, represent far greater vulnerabilities than Victor’s unwavering loyalty ever could.
“You’re Family To Me”: Victor’s Words That Sealed His Fate
The true horror of Victor’s murder is amplified by the timing and context. Just moments before his death, Victor expresses his deep affection and loyalty, telling Penguin, “You’re family to me.” It’s these words of genuine affection and loyalty that, in Penguin’s twisted logic, transform Victor into a perceived weakness. Penguin sees Victor’s love and loyalty not as strengths, but as points of potential manipulation by enemies.
Penguin’s apology to Victor during the act, acknowledging him as a “good man with a good heart,” only exacerbates the cruelty. It highlights the calculated and deeply personal nature of the betrayal. This isn’t a kill born of necessity or anger, but a cold, pragmatic decision driven by Penguin’s paranoia and ruthless ambition. In the pantheon of villainous acts in the Batman universe, Penguin’s murder of Victor stands out for its intimate brutality and chillingly personal nature. It’s a stark reminder of the dark depths to which Oz Cobb is willing to sink to maintain his grip on power, making it a truly unforgettable and disturbing moment in The Penguin.
All episodes of The Penguin are now streaming on Max.
