The Penguinepisode 5 introduces its own version of iconicDCvillain and Batman rogue Harley Quinn. As the tension between Oz Cobb, Sofia Falcone, and the Falcone and Maroni families culminates in bloodshed, Oz and Sofia come out on top, each on their own. InThe Penguinepisode 4’s ending, Sofia asphyxiates all the Falcones, and in episode 5, Oz murders Sal Maroni’s wife and son, Nadia and Taj. There’s no way back for anybody involved in the conflict now, so Oz, Sofia, and their only allies must keep in motion in order to survive.
Although Matt Reeves’The Batmanuniverse is grounded and gritty, it does contain a few famous Batman villains such as the Riddler, who executed the terrorist attack that led toVictor Aguilar’s origin story; as well as Catwoman,Margaret Pye a.k.a. Magpie, the Penguin, and the Joker. The Batman’s ending and post-credits scene showed that Batman and the Joker already have a history, though the details about this Joker’s backstory are still unknown, and therefore Harley Quinn’s existence in this universe is also a mystery.
The Penguin Episode 5 Makes Julian Rush The New Harley Quinn
Arkham Has Turned One Of Its Workers Into A Villain
The Penguin’s flashbacks toSofia Falcone’s backstoryintroduced Arkham State Hospital psychiatric therapist Dr. Julian Rush, who treats Sofia when she’s accused of being the “Hangman” serial killer. Julian Rush seems overly fixated on Sofia from the beginning. Years later, after Sofia kills the Falcone family,Julian Rush reaches out to her and confesses that he understands why Sofia had to resort to deathly measures to defend herself, and tells her that he’d also like to feel the"release"of murdering.
Why Julian Rush’s Story Is Better Than Harley Quinn’s Origin
Julian Rush Makes The Conscious Decision To Become A Villain
Julian Rush and Harley Quinn are both Arkham psychiatrists who grow obsessed with their respective patients. However, the Joker usually manipulates and mistreats Harley Quinn, and most versions of Harley Quinn’s origin suggest or outright confirm that it’s Joker’s manipulative tactics that lead Harley to become a villain. Meanwhile,Julian Rush consciously decides to side with Sofia and follow in her footsteps, which places the entire blame of the consequences on him.
The Penguin Episode 5 Recap & Ending Explained
The Penguin episode 5 features some huge status quo changes for Gotham City’s underworld as Oz Cobb and Sofia Falcone both make major moves.
Several DC titles have allowed Harley Quinn to move on past her ties to the Joker, and most of these depictions of Harley have started a journey of their own with new goals and even new romantic interests. For instance, DC Comics' Harley has gotten into a romantic relationship with Poison Ivy, and the DCEU’s Harley starred in two movies that didn’t involve the Joker. Julian Rush and Sofia Falcone’s similar dynamics inThe Penguinavoid the original problem, as whatever happens between Julian and Sofia will be their own making.
