This article from the HBO and Max miniseries The Penguin Season 1 Episode 6 titled “Gold Summit” contains significant spoilers.
The Penguin episode titled “Gold Summit” is the most explosive of the season. The 52 minutes and 20 seconds of pure DC Comics bliss begins with Oz and his flourishing operation. Gotham’s underground network is bearing fruit—in this case, mushrooms, known as “Bliss.”
The group extracts the red liquid and forms a crystal to make Walter White proud. Notably, Oz uses Gotham’s poorest residents, paying them well to sell drugs across all territories. Meanwhile, Sofia is engaging in a night of sadomasochism with her mental health PCP, Dr. Julian Rush (Theo Rossi).
As she unties Rush, she heads to the kitchen, where Sal Maroni cooks one of his wife’s favorite dishes. She reports that they lost Victor in the tunnels and that Oz is moving his product into Sullivan territory. Sofia clarifies that they’ve told the rival gangs that Oz should not sell in their territories.
Max’s The Penguin Season 1 Episode 6: What Does Oz Give Away?
For one day only, Oz (Colin Farrell) begins giving away “Bliss” to everyone for free. He does this to counter Sofia and Sal’s power play, who have been killing Cobb’s dealers. Sofia kills them, hangs them upside down, and then cuts off their pinky fingers, prompting Oz to say, “Jesus, Sofia, pick a lane!”
Sal and Sofia (Cristin Milioti) then break into Oz’s apartment at the Burgess Jewelry store. Sal plans to find someone Oz cares about. Sofia ominously quips that he doesn’t have anyone. “It’s his greatest asset,” the Gigante family boss tells him. While Maroni destroys Oz’s place with a golf club, Sofia comes across a Polaroid picture of Eve (True Detective’s Carmen Ejogo).
Sofia visits Eve but lets her live because she believes she is not “The Hangman.” In return, Eve tells Sofia where Oz hides in Crown’s Point.
What Does Francis Ask Oz To Do?
Francis tells Oz that when the time comes, he must kill her. Oz arrives home to find his mother in a bathtub without heat; she cannot climb out. Francis says she’s seeing things unclearly and hints at Oz’s deceased brothers. It is unclear if dementia is playing a role in her condition, but it seems likely.
Francis explains that she doesn’t want to become a burden, a shell of herself, or possibly the end of a punchline. This is disturbing to Oz because everything he does is to support his mother. (You will also notice Oz becomes jealous when Francis compliments Victor and calls him a “good boy.”)
This will be an interesting subplot to watch going forward.
Why Does Victor Kill Squid?
Meanwhile, as Victor walks home, he runs into Squid, who demands that his old “friend” include him in the new drug venture. Victor reluctantly agrees after Squid threatens Oz’s mother. Later, when Victor talks to Oz about his difficult day, Oz asks if he needs help with Squid. Victor replies, “No.”
When Victor meets Squid, he gives him some cash but apologizes because there are no openings. Squid then surprises him by tossing the cash on the ground. He also tells Victor he knows about the “Wizard of Oz” and wants a job, or he will tell the Falcone crew.
So, Victor shoots and kills him, all while apologizing and crying to Squid as he bleeds out on the cold Gotham concrete.
What is the Gold Summit?
Oz coins the meeting with criminal family heads—the Massive, Odessa, LoBoys, Triads, and the Sullivans—as “The Gold Summit.” However, the “Penguin” is not met with a warm embrace, but he expects that. The Sullivans accuse Oz of getting their dealers killed.
The head of the Triad family tells them all that he is not to be trusted, which is also true. However, Oz is a leader of men and can talk to make people see his side. So, he delivers a rousing speech to the crews, pulling a John F. Kennedy by telling them there is more that unites them than divides them.
Well, and they have more people and control more territory together than separately. Oz then announces they are taking back Gotham.
The Penguin’s Season 1 Episode 6 Ending Explained: What Does Sofia Do To Victor and Francis?
We don’t know what Sofia will do to Sofia and Francis because the episode of The Penguin ends before she makes a move. However, since he threatened Hady (Entourage’s Rhys Coiro), the power was restored in the poorest parts of Gotham, including Crown Heights.
Victor, staring at his sneaker with blood on it, hears Francis yell for Oswald because the record player wakes her up. She tells Victor to keep the music playing, and they dance. He tells Frances that Oz got the power back on, and she is beaming with pride.
That is when we see Sofis watching them while holding a crowbar. She finally has found Oz’s weakness.
You can stream the new limited series The Penguin on HBO and Max, with new episodes dropping weekly.
The Penguin Episode 6 Recap and Spoiler Review — What is the Gold Summit?
The Penguin Season 1, Episode 6, titled “The Gold Summit,” illustrates the power of Colin Farrell’s performance as Oswald Cobb, which is at times mesmerizing. Farrell brings a unique depth to the character with his ability to convey an inarticulate charm and menace, which is captivating because the actor is unafraid to show blemishes.
