Episode six of The Penguin was one of those episodes that pushed the plot forward in more character-driven moments, while also setting the stage for the end of the season. The show featured some kind of time jump, as Oz’s Bliss empire has grown quite a bit, but I have a feeling dark days are ahead for Gotham’s new supplier.

While dealing with Bliss and his minions, Oz’s main focus this week was on his mother, who was suffering in the cold and dark of Crown Point. As mentioned last week, Oz’s mother is the one thing that keeps him good and her being alive has been something of a State Secret, with very few privy to that information. So the setup for something horrible happening to her is all but secure, as Sofia, sporting a whole new hairdo, learns of her existence at the end of this episode. I’ll wager that she’ll bring this information to Sal, who is looking for revenge for the murder of his wife and son. That or Sofia will do it herself to avenge Alberto (who I still think might be the true Hangman as opposed to her father). The dynamic between Oz and his mother was quite interesting this week, with her dementia appearing worse with each episode, to the point where she begs her son to kill her should her mind die before her body. I don’t think Oz will have to worry about that if Sal gets there first, unfortunately, but it was still an interesting request considering it was her one moment of lucidity this week.

But the biggest moment this week came from Vic. Moving up in the Oz criminal empire, he’s now a runner of Bliss, driving on a motorcycle and distributing the product across Gotham while evading Sal and Sofia’s goons. Vic seems pretty content in this position, he has money and respect but doesn’t have to get his hands too dirty. But that changes when Squid, his old “boss” (the guy he was stealing rims for), takes note of his presence in Crown Point and observes that he’s moved up in the world, better clothes and such, and deduces that he’s working for the new “Wizard of Oz” of the city, the faceless pusher of this new drug. He wants in on this new hustle and tells Vic to make the introduction. Vic knows this is bad news and opts to pay off Squid instead in cash amounts to stay away for the time being. Of course, this doesn’t go very well and Squid opts to force his way into the racket. In a split moment, Vic ends up shooting Squid in the neck, killing him. It’s quite the journey for Vic now, whose gone from petty thief to killer. Oz comforts him by telling Vic that “it gets easier”, almost as if he expects Vic to have to kill again. Despite the new shoes and money in his pocket, the act of murder doesn’t seem worth it to Vic, who definitely is not the same person at the end of the episode compared to the beginning.

The title of the episode refers to a meeting called by Oz between the criminal elements (sans Gigante and Maroni) in Gotham, the lower-class criminals so to speak, to try and unify and shift the power dynamic. With street-level enforcers being killed and publically displayed for having connections to Oz, the criminal bosses are naturally wary about any sort of proposition from a guy known to be without a code or honour. His speech to the crime bosses is peak Oz, manipulating them by saying everything they want, and need, to hear. Despite some resistance, by the end, everyone gets on board with Oz’s plans, even (seemingly) the Triads, who were the biggest obstacle to pass in this pitch.

With Oz’s mother confirmed to be alive and a new criminal consortium established, the stage is very much set for the final two episodes. As for who will come out on top, that may depend on your definition. But I think it’s going to be one of those situations where there’s no “winners” by the end of this series. Stay tuned for reviews for the final two episodes!