WARNING: Spoilers for The Penguin finale ahead, feathered friends!
Alright, Gotham fans, buckle up, because the DCEU’s The Penguin wrapped up on Sunday (November 10), and let’s just say—somebody is now pushing daisies. Or maybe fish food, given it’s Gotham. The limited series that nests itself nicely between The Batman and The Batman II decided to end with a bang (and a betrayal) that left viewers cawing in disbelief.
Yes, The Penguin finale featured a major character’s death that could’ve been easily avoided… but hey, who needs sanity when you’re a supervillain? Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb (a.k.a. Penguin) has now donned his villainous flippers for real, but sadly, his full transformation had to come with a side of “goodbye forever” for one of his closest allies.
Now, let’s get into the real spoiler territory. Brace yourselves…
R.I.P., Victor Aguilar (played by Rhenzy Feliz) 🎩🪦
Victor was, unfortunately, introduced to the Penguin’s special brand of TLC: Tender Lovin’ Chaos. Oz had practically made him an honorary family member—teaching him the ropes of Gotham’s underbelly, sharing heartfelt evil plans, and occasionally reminding him not to mess with the “penguin business.” And, in true Shakespearean villain fashion, that’s precisely what put Victor on the chopping block.
Series creator Lauren LeFranc had some insights on this unexpected penguin-versus-protégé twist. Speaking to The Wrap, she hinted, “Look, none of these guys are winning Nice Guy of the Year.” She continued by saying that Victor was the closest thing to an innocent soul on the show—a high bar for Gotham. “We always knew that for Oz to fully embrace his inner penguin, he’d have to let go of Victor,” she added, in what might be the understatement of the year.
So, what did Victor do to deserve his big exit? Brace yourself: he cared. Yes, that’s right—Victor had the nerve to actually care about Oz. Turns out, in Gotham, that’s a one-way ticket to “don’t get too comfortable.” Apparently, Oz saw Victor’s affection and loyalty as a massive threat, not a friend—because this is Gotham, not Sesame Street.
Lauren explains it best, saying, “Oz felt like love was a weakness, thanks to all that emotional trauma from his dear old mom, Sofia. So, of course, he decided to yank his heart out of his chest and stomp on it… metaphorically and, okay, maybe physically too.” Apparently, Oz couldn’t risk having anyone, especially Victor, witness him in moments of vulnerability. Like, nothing says “I’m invincible” quite like kicking your bestie out of your crime family by, well, killing them.
The Most Awkward Goodbye in Gotham History
Lauren wasn’t kidding when she said she wanted the death scene to be as painful as an ice bath in Antarctica. She even described it as an “intimate death,” one of those where you’re practically screaming at your screen, “Alright, buddy, we get it—he’s done for!” Imagine, if you will, a never-ending, dramatic stare-down where you think Oz might let Victor walk away… until he, uh, very much does not. “Let him go!” you shout at the screen. But Oz? Nope, he’s far too committed to his tragic villain aesthetic.
And as if we didn’t already feel like we were watching a friendship implode in the most disastrous way possible, Lauren wanted the scene to reflect the “scrappy buddy energy” from the premiere. Yep, remember when these two were sparring outside like a couple of guys just trying to make it through the day? Well, she wanted that same chaotic energy, only this time, one of them does not walk away.
So, pour one out for Victor Aguilar. In a town where trusting anyone is a one-way ticket to betrayal, he made the mistake of trying to connect emotionally. It’s a dangerous thing to do around a guy who literally waddles around Gotham in a tux.
