Another good episode. I realise there were lots of clues that the opening was a flashback, but I didn’t twig until the actual explosions happened. Some good effects work there, showing the extent of the devastation (contrasting, later, with a less successful attempt at depicting panic attack).
There was never any real chance that Vic would leave, so I’m glad they didn’t spend too long it (he imagined the prospect of a bus trip across America, and quite rightly noped out of it). Instead, a lot of the focus was on Sofia, noticing how Oz can fly into a rage (with Viti), and how tight he is with the woman who provided his alibi, and likely thinking about the possibility that it was him who killed her brother.
I think this is the first ep where anyone referred to Oz as ‘the penguin’, and also the first one to clarify that Sofia isn’t ‘the hangman’. It also demonstrates, once again - after The Expanse - that Shohreh Aghdashloo is a top deliverer of the word ‘motherfucker’.
The flashback surprised me as well. Vic was carrying some unknown bottle/package, so I assumed it was for Oz.
In terms of being called “The Penguin” I think Johnny Vitti called Oz “Penguin” last episode, just before the drops are set to move.
I know it’s called “The Penguin”, but it’s the Penguin & Vic show.
First off seeing Vic actually choose this life was an amazing bit of character. We get to see him as just a kid with a girlfriend, and then it’s all taken away. He’s got a stutter, he’s got PTSD, and he’s trapped as Oz has him hostage. But Oz shows him he’s free. He’s been able to leave at any time. Vic didn’t realize it, but he wants this life.
Also I love that Oz gives Sophia a heartfelt apology, and then as soon as shit hits the fan just says “Fuck Sofia” and peaces out with Vic.
