Disclaimer: This chapter is based on "The Penguin” a “TV MA” rated series. Make sure you are of appropriate age and applying spiritual discernment over whether this show is for you to be watching before engaging. If you’ve already watched it, plan to watch it, or just wanna read this chapter, I hope you enjoy this essay and find encouragement in it.
Spoilers: This essay will openly discuss the ending of season 1 of The Penguin series on Max/Follow up to The Batman movie.**Spoilers**
A couple episodes in to the series, I had the ending spoiled for me. Even though it would be 6 weeks before the show ended, Colin Farrell said something in an interview that gave me enough of a nudge for me to know how the story was going to play out.
Interviewer: “There’s part of me, that I kind of like him. Like is he a lovable rogue, but also a lethal person?”
Colin: “A little bit. By the end of the eight, I'm not sure, I don’t know. I have no idea, and the audience find whatever they watch in whatever way they find it, but I would be surprised if anyone liked him by the end of eight.”
That got me thinking. We’re watching a show about a villain. We’re watching a show where he murders someone in the first couple scenes. We’re watching a follow up to The Batman where this dude literally had no regard for other people’s life, but we’re watching because we enjoy this character and performance. What could he possibly do that no one would like him by the end of 8?
He’s gonna kill Vic.
That’s the thought that I had in my head for the final 6 episodes of the show. To me, that’s the only thing he could do that would make “no one” like him even after sitting with the character through 8 episodes.
That should be absolutely no surprise to us an audience. None. Oz shot at Vic the first time he saw him. Held him at gunpoint most of their first hours together, and then planned to murder him and stuff him in a trunk by the first 30 minutes of the show. If it wasn’t for Vic’s impassioned plea, his story would have been much shorter.
Oz: “Hold up there chief. There’s a nice sunrise behind you. You should take a look. Go On... So, listen, the smart play is to kill you, and stuff in you in trunk with stinky here, be done with the both of youse.”
Vic: “No, no, no. We-we don’t have to—No, no, no, no,no. Wait. Wait! Hold on! You can’t. I could help you. You know? With whatever you need, I can help you. I got ambition. And I'm not... I’m not a waste, okay? I’m not. I could...I could help you with whatever it is. Whatever you need, whatever it is, all right? Just, please, I need a chance. I need a chance!”
Oz then proceeds to allow him to live, but under threat of death at the first failure.
When things clearly warn us that they will kill us, it should be a sufficient enough reason to not only believe them, but also get away from them as quickly as possible.
Scripture clearly warns/advises/guides us away from sin, not just because it’s “bad,” but because it will literally kill us. Not always like Ananias and Sapphira level (Acts 5), but even if it’s slowly and in small increments, it brings death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” - James 1:14-15
“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.” - Deuteronomy 30:15-18
Scripture warns us of the consequences and effects of sin, and that is a warning I believe is out of love.
For me, it all comes back to John 10:10 as Jesus states “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Jesus tells us that Satan, the thief, and all that he brings is for the purpose of stealing, killing, and destroying. Jesus tells us He wants better for us than that, but it can be really hard to see it at the time because the bad stuff that is so dangerous doesn’t automatically seem so bad.
Vic went from almost getting put in a trunk with a dead wanna be gangster, to trying to take over the city with Oz. And if you looked at Oz, it didn’t look like death had taken him out. It didn’t look like he had faced the consequences of his actions or the wages of his sins, even by the end of the series.
Oftentimes you don’t see the consequences until they are too late.
Even Solomon had commentary on the fact it didn’t seem like the “Bad Guys” fully got the justice or punishment they deserved.
“When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. - Ecclesiastes 8:11-13
This is the heart of Gotham, and in many ways, the heart of our world. Get away with whatever you can because you haven’t been stopped so far.
Vic saw that even though Oz wasn’t exactly on top of everything, he was still more successful than Vic had ever been. He had given him new clothes, money, protection, and respect. Let’s also not forget the fact that this pair became united because Vic was already committing crimes and putting himself in a dangerous position.
Intentionally putting yourself in dangerous positions will only put you in further danger.
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. - Proverbs 4:14-17
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,” - Psalm 1:1
“Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.” -Proverbs 24:1-2
By the end of the 2nd episode Vic had failed Oz by not planting the jewels where he was instructed, and almost getting caught by the Falcone security team. Later when most of the crisis was resolved, Vic was digging a grave, and Oz reminded him of how dangerous he was. Vic tries to climb out of the grave and Oz kicks him back into it.
“Lay down, where you belong. LAY DOWN NOW! How does it feel Vic, Huh? Nah. Hey! Don’t close your eyes, look at them. Remember this. This is what happens when you choke you understand? Dead’s a one-way street Vic. You know how close I got to getting popped tonight? Cause you messed* up? Then I gotta plant the blade and the jewels. Lotta work for me Vic. A lotta work. You know what? Forget* apologizing. You wanna survive? You gotta adapt. You gotta respond to the environment, the situation, gotta think on your feet, you gotta be quick. Otherwise, this is what happens.... There ain’t no playbook for this kid. I saw something in you. Maybe I was wrong. You tell me. Maybe you ain’t cut out for this life.”
That’s twice in a short span that Oz attempted to put Vic in a grave. Maybe that should have been enough. It was enough for David when it came to Saul.
In 1 Samuel 18 and 19 Saul attempts to hurl a spear at David and pin him to a wall.
“Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape.” - 1 Samuel 19:10.
Saul got 2 chances to make an attempt on David’s life, and then David peaced out. Many of us will stay in, or return to, dangerous situations because either we are naive, in denial, or just don’t think we have the opportunity to be free. Vic was in the latter.
As Vic talked to his soon to be ex-girlfriend when she revealed that she was hopping a bus and getting out of Gotham (a good life choice).
Graciela: You could come with me. We could start over.
Vic: I don’t think..uh...I'm not sure that he’d let me go.
Graciela: Who? Your boss? Why would he care?
Vic: He’s not just like a club owner, he’s like uhh...a gangster. If I took off, I don’t think that, um... It’s weird, it’s like, uh... He kinda likes having me around. He’s kinda...he’s kinda lonely. And I’ve seen stuff. You know, stuff that I shouldn’t have, so if I left, I don’t know what he would do.”
Graciela: Then... you definitely shouldn’t stay. I mean nothing good can come from working for a guy like that. That is not who you are.
Graciela spoke a lot of truth and wisdom into Vic’s life and situation, but it may not always feel like you have the option to leave. One of the verses that’s often quoted is;
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
This scripture is great for temptation, but what about when you failed that temptation? What about when you embraced the sin instead of turning from it? What if you’ve landed yourself in a dangerous place and you aren’t sure how free you can actually be? This is where Vic found himself, and where many of us find ourselves.
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” - Acts 3:19
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9
We are called to turn away from sin as a parent calls a child to turn away from danger. Because someone who loves us doesn't want to see us get hurt. Sometimes it's a simple as turning around and going back in the direction we came, but just because it's simple doesn't mean it's easy.
Vic made an exit plan. He told Graciela he would meet her at the bus stop, he was feeling conflicted about where he was and what he was doing. He was going to change direction. To turn from the life he was in, he was going to take that exit that Paul previously mentioned and repent.
As he was weighing the conflicting fears and feelings, he was confronted by Oz ;
Oz: You going somewhere?
Vic: I do everything you ask me to...I try to at least,, It’s just.. I don’t know if I should.
Oz: You wanna go? What are you waiting for? Go.
Vic: I can’t.. I can’t leave.
Oz: You think I'm holdin you hostage or somethin? That what? That you’re my prisoner? That it? That what it feels like being with me? I gave you clothes, money, a place to crash. You got all the opportunity in the world right here. But this, this is all you feel? You coulda left any time you wanted. But you chose to stay. How about you ask yourself why. You stayed cause you want something better. You want something more than your father ever had. You still think there’s good and bad? Right and wrong? There ain’t. There’s just this. Survival. Security. Pleasure.”
Oz was right on many things there. We stay in those situations because we choose to, because part of us wants to be there. Or at the very least we want those dangerous things more than we want righteousness, obedience, or worship through submission.
We all have the ability to turn, but we often don’t until things collide.
Oz was wrong though on many things as well. There is good. There is evil. There is right. There is wrong. Yes, we are all sinners. Yes, we have a sin nature. But there is evil we choose, not just what comes by default. Oz was that evil.
“For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched. Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.
So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead. We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away. For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities:” - Isaiah 59: 3-12
We have to be honest with ourselves to recognize evil when it's before us.
Vic was given an out. Oz let him walk. Vic even had Oz’s car keys. He made it to the bus station. He even watched Graciela board the bus. But he didn’t choose to join her. Like many of us, myself included, we get close to repentance, but then return to the sin that put us at risk in the first place. Had Vic actually left, Oz and Sofia would have died that night. Hundreds of lives would have lived. But he came back. Whether it be guilt, fear, or ambition, Vic came back. That wouldn’t be his only chance to escape either, but Vic never took the chances he was given.
Near the end of the final episode Oz tells Vic, “You know, I couldn’t have done any of this without you. You know that? You did good kid.”
Vic had become attached to Oz, the same way many of us make ourselves at home in the most dangerous and toxic situations. We are in the most danger when we feel safe in places and circumstances that have absolutely no safety.
“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” - Proverbs 22:24-25
Vic had made friends with the man who planned to kill him on multiple occasions. The man he had seen take lives. The man who campaigned to build and empire of drugs and decreasing the quality of people’s lives. He felt safe in his presence.
Safe enough to make this statement;
“Thanks for taking a chance on me, for taking me in. You’re like...you’re fff...you’re fff... family to me, you know?”
Oz replies;
“Vic, you and me...it’s all that’s left. Now, I don’t believe in kismet or nothin’... but... it’s good that we met. You’ve seen me at my lowest, all this stuff* with my ma. You’ve been there. By my side every step. Listen kid, I can’t bring you with me this time. I mean that’s the thing about family, it’s your strength, it drives you, but if it don’t make you weak too. And I can’t have that no more. It’s too much. I’m sorry. You’re a good man Vic. Got a good heart. It wasn’t for nothing.”
And he makes half that reply as he murders Vic by strangling him.
I think so many of us were shocked watching that finale, especially with the casual brutality of it, but what did we expect? Just because Oz was the main character didn’t mean he wasn’t the bad guy. Vic had every warning. He had opportunity to turn away. But instead, he stayed, and it cost him his life.
Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Penguin is so charismatic, so charming. Especially when you factor that a skinny Irishmen is delivering that performance under 80 pounds of make-up and rubber. But just because he’s charming doesn’t mean we should ignore how dangerous he is. No matter how attractive or pleasing sin may be, and believe me, I understand those things, it will never be a safe place where we will get the life God has for us.
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” - 1 Peter 5:8