The Penguin season finale shows Oswald's relationship with his mother in a very disturbing light - Characters explored

The Penguin season finale premiered on HBO and Max on November 10, 2024. Focusing on Oswald Cobb as he tried saving his mother from Sofia while also trying to become Gotham's new Kingpin, the episode packed in a whole lot of action and drama. It also effectively sets Oswald up as the new Kingpin of the city who has a major hand in the criminal underworld now.

However, The Penguin season finale also gave further disturbing details about his relationship with his mother and how he feels about her as well. In a way, it was showcased that Oswald almost has a Freudian approach to his relationship with his mother implying that he may actually be attracted to her.

This is set up throughout the show, especially in episode 7 where the relationship between a young Oswald and his mother Francis is shown. However, the season finale takes it to a whole other level by the end where Oswald's obsession for his mother's approval is made clearer.

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The Penguin season finale hints at Oswald having Oedipus Complex

While The Penguin doesn't outright state that Oswald might be attracted to his mother, it does imply so by his actions and feelings towards her. There is an actual term for that known as the Oedipus Complex. It explores how male children may be s*xually attracted to their mothers, and Oswald very much does fit that complex.

In the final scene of The Penguin, Francis can be seen in a comatose state as she is left alone on the top of the penthouse while Oswald checks up on her. He then goes a floor down where Eve, his girlfriend, is waiting for him and she is dressed similarly to how Francis used to dress when she took Oswald dancing. Eve then roleplays as Francis telling Oswald that she loves him and is proud of him.

This strange moment has been built up throughout the entire show. In the flashback scenes, Oswald can be seen being jealous of his mother's love to the point he kills his brothers. He also treats her like she is the only thing in his life and his promise to Francis that he will give her everything she has ever wanted raises some red flags as well.

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Matt Reeves seemingly confirmed Oswald's Oedipus Complex

While The Penguin showcases Oswald's mindset toward his mother, producer Matt Reeves further spoke about this. Talking to actor Andy Serkis for Interview Magazine on November 4, Reeves commented on where Oswald's wounds come from and how his relationship with his mother is certainly troublesome. He also credited showrunner Lauren LeFranc for coming up with this.

"So, the question was, where do those wounds come from? It was Lauren [LeFranc]’s idea that it came from his mother. She pitched that relationship. And he and Deirdre O’Connell have such incredible chemistry together. They seem to be dancing together, almost less like mother and child and more like… 'What’s going on here?'" said Matt Reeves.

He further added:

Lauren took the story in a very disturbing place, but that relationship is very special, and those two actors together are really extraordinary."

Fans can watch the entirety of The Penguin on Max right now.