The Penguin’s "Cent’anni": A Masterclass in Character Transformation and Storytelling
Have you ever watched a television series and, halfway through an episode, realized you were witnessing something truly special? An episode that elevates the entire show, transforming it from a good watch into a potential modern classic? Shows like The Last of Us, Battlestar Galactica, and Lost have all achieved this pivotal moment. Now, HBO Max’s The Penguin has joined their ranks with its fourth episode, “Cent’anni.” This episode is not just a turning point for the series; it’s a masterpiece of television, shocking, horrific, yet brilliant in its execution. It centers on Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), and, quite frankly, it’s breathtakingly amazing.
Before "Cent’anni," Sofia Falcone remained somewhat enigmatic. We knew she was in Arkham Asylum, branded "The Hangman" for the alleged murders of several women. We knew Oz (Colin Farrell), the titular Penguin, feared her, but this fear seemed rooted in her position as the head of the Falcone family, the empire he sought to seize. We believed Oz had successfully convinced Sofia of his innocence in the death of her brother, Alberto, even though he plainly hadn’t. The show carefully constructed Sofia as an intimidating yet emotionally volatile and potentially malleable villain. "Cent’anni" shatters this carefully curated image, revealing Sofia’s true story and transforming her into the most compelling character on the show.
The episode masterfully builds upon the cliffhanger ending of "Bliss," the third episode. We recall Victor Zsasz’s desperate act of smashing his car to rescue Sofia and Oz from the Maroni family. Oz’s inexplicable abandonment of Sofia during this escape now makes perfect sense. The revelation of Oz’s betrayal – his confession that he was the one who killed Alberto – is a game changer. This shocking truth recontextualizes their entire dynamic, setting the stage for the emotional rollercoaster to come.
"Cent’anni" then takes us on a deeply affecting flashback journey. We meet a younger, happier Sofia alongside her father, the renowned crime boss Carmine Falcone (Mark Strong, replacing John Turturro from The Batman), and her brother Alberto (Michael Zegen). The family appears idyllic, with Carmine even declaring his intention to bequeath the family business to Sofia, mirroring the dynastic power struggles seen in shows like House of the Dragon.
However, this seemingly picture-perfect family dynamic soon crumbles. Sofia discovers her father’s heinous secret: he’s been systematically murdering women and staging their deaths as suicides, a pattern that stretches back to the death of Sofia and Alberto’s mother. This discovery, initially made in what Sofia believes to be privacy, is swiftly betrayed to Carmine by Oz. While this betrayal initially seems like a calculated power move by Oz, it becomes painfully clear as the episode progresses that this act sets in motion a devastating chain of events for Sofia.
Carmine’s response is brutal. Confronting Sofia about her findings, any hint of suspicion towards his culpability sparks a furious reaction. He frames her for the murders, ensuring her imprisonment in Arkham Asylum – a life sentence orchestrated by her own father.
But the cruelty doesn’t end there. The episode unveils a chilling conspiracy. Sofia’s entire family, excluding Alberto, colludes in perpetuating the lie of her mental instability, ensuring her permanent confinement. The episode then descends into a harrowing descent into the depths of despair, mirroring the bleak realism of films like Requiem for a Dream. We witness Sofia subjected to both physical and psychological torture, with Arkham’s doctors and inmates participating in a systematic campaign to break her. The unrelenting violence and betrayal unfold over a decade.
As viewers, our perspective shifts dramatically. Initially, we may have attributed Oz’s villainy to his well-established status as a Batman antagonist. However, "Cent’anni" complicates this simplistic interpretation. While Oz remains a self-serving, power-hungry individual, the episode elevates Sofia from a potentially secondary antagonist to the undeniable protagonist of her own harrowing story. She’s the rightful heir, betrayed by nearly everyone she loves, fighting her way out of the deepest circle of hell.
The episode’s brilliance lies in its ability to seamlessly transition between the past and present. By the time the narrative returns to the present, our allegiance has irrevocably shifted. We’re rooting for Sofia’s vengeance. We’re consumed by anger over Alberto’s murder and Oz’s betrayal, yearning for retribution against Sofia’s aunts and uncles. And, oh boy, does she deliver. The episode culminates in a spectacular scene of almost poetic justice, as Sofia systematically eliminates her enemies, a scene so darkly satisfying that it’s nothing short of perfection.
Written by John McCutcheon and directed by Helen Shave, "Cent’anni" is more than just the best episode of The Penguin to date; it strongly contends for one of the best episodes of television this year. This review merely touches upon the episode’s masterful choices—the evocative use of symbolism (the wallpaper, the fork, the cake!), and, particularly, Cristin Milioti’s breathtaking performance, which is genuinely award-worthy. "Cent’anni" is so impactful that it has completely transformed my perspective. I’m officially #TeamSofia. Perhaps the show should even be retitled "Falcone."
The Penguin is currently streaming on Max, and “Cent’anni” is a must-see episode for any fan of compelling storytelling and strong character development. It is a testament to the power of television to surprise, shock, and ultimately, captivate its audience. It raises the bar considerably for the rest of the season, and leaves viewers eagerly anticipating what’s next for Sofia and her quest for revenge.
