▪ Victor's journey from petty criminal to murderer marks a tragic turn.
There are characters in HBO's popular series The Penguin that are clearly bad people, like Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell). There are also those who find themselves in villainous roles, such as Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti). However, Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz) stands out as the one character who truly has a good heart and genuinely cares about others.
He does not engage in relationships based on transactions. This makes what occurs in Episode 6, titled "Gold Summit," even more painful to witness. Vic already faces significant challenges.
He has a speech impediment and has lost his entire family due to the flooding of Gotham caused by The Riddler (Paul Dano) in The Batman. Despite his good nature and difficult past, he finds himself in a dark situation that he cannot escape.
Throughout the first season, a small-time Crown Point thug named Squid (Jared Abrahamson) has caused problems for Vic. The two grew up in the same tough neighborhood, and Vic has worked hard to stay away from Squid's petty group of criminals.
However, things take a turn when Squid learns that Vic is working for Oz. Now, Squid wants in on the action. Vic knows he must protect Squid from being killed by Oz, as he realizes that his boss will likely eliminate any potential threat, especially someone trying to get into the Bliss business.
However, Squid is not the type to let Vic, the meek kid with a stutter, intimidate him anymore. When Vic tries to give Squid a few hundred dollars to stay out of trouble and let him handle things, Squid angrily throws the money back at him. He demands to be taken to Oz.
At this moment, Vic understands he must make a life-or-death decision that will change his life forever. He knows he cannot risk his growing partnership with Oz. Instead of taking Squid to Oz, Victor makes a shocking choice: he turns and shoots Squid in the throat, watching in horror as Squid dies a painful and bloody death.
For hardened criminals like Oz or driven women like Sofia, murder may not bother them, but the impact on a young man like Vic can be disastrous. It is clear that he immediately regrets shooting Squid. He reaches for Squid and continues to apologize, even after he has pulled the trigger.
This traumatic experience can be devastating for someone like Vic, who never wanted to be a criminal. Not only does killing a man in cold blood take him to a dark place in his mind, but it is a crime from which he cannot recover.
Until this point in The Penguin, Vic has managed to avoid actions that would lead to irreversible consequences. He has committed serious crimes, including theft and possession with the intent to distribute. He even committed a spontaneous hit-and-run that saved Oz and Sofia from Nadia Maroni (Shohreh Aghdashloo) and her gang of thugs.
However, there is a reason that murder stands as the most severe crime one person can commit against another. Vic is not the kind of person who can separate himself from such an act without it affecting his identity. By killing Squid, Vic transitions from being a petty criminal to a murderer. He has crossed a line, and now he has to live with the consequences. It will be fascinating to see how he deals with his new trauma as the season continues.
As the season unfolds, viewers will likely witness Victor grappling with guilt, shame, and regret. These feelings will shape his decisions and interactions with other characters, especially Oz and Sofia. Vic's path has taken a dark turn, and he must confront the reality of his actions.
This transformation not only impacts his relationship with others but also his self-identity. He may struggle to reconcile the kind-hearted person he once was with the violent act he has committed.
Moreover, the fallout from this act of violence could create tension within the crime family he has joined. Oz, who is used to dealing with violence and betrayal, may not react favorably to Vic's emotional state. He could see Vic's guilt as a weakness, making him question Vic's loyalty and reliability as a partner in crime. This change in dynamic could lead to further complications for Vic as he faces his new reality.
Victor's journey from a hopeful individual with a good heart to someone who has committed murder raises important questions about morality and choices in a corrupt world. In a place like Gotham, where crime thrives, the line between right and wrong becomes blurred.
Vic, who once avoided joining a life of crime, is now forced to confront the darker aspects of his environment. His decision to kill Squid may be seen as a necessary act of survival in the harsh world he inhabits. Still, it poses a moral dilemma that he must face.
In addition to the internal conflict Victor experiences, viewers might also see external repercussions. The crime world in The Penguin is unforgiving. Word of Squid's death could spread quickly, leading to retaliation or further violence. Vic's choice might not only endanger his own life but also the lives of those he cares about. As he grapples with the consequences of his actions, the stakes are raised for him and everyone around him.
Victor's situation reflects a broader theme present in many crime dramas: the consequences of one's choices. In The Penguin, the characters are often faced with difficult decisions that reveal their true nature. Vic's struggle highlights the impact of violence on individuals and communities.
It serves as a reminder that even in a world filled with criminals, there can be individuals who strive for goodness, only to be drawn into a cycle of violence.
As the story progresses, it will be interesting to see how Vic's character develops. Will he succumb to the darkness, or will he find a way to reclaim his humanity? The choices he makes in the wake of Squid's death will shape his future and ultimately determine the kind of person he becomes.
His journey is one of redemption, but it is also a cautionary tale about the cost of violence and the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of adversity.
Victor Aguilar's heartbreaking transformation in The Penguin serves as a pivotal moment in the series. Episode 6, "Gold Summit," reveals the consequences of a single choice that changes Victor's life forever.
As he faces the trauma and guilt that come with committing murder, viewers will witness the struggle between his good heart and the harsh realities of the world he inhabits. Victor's journey is a powerful scheme of morality, identity, and the complex nature of human choices in a world filled with crime and corruption.
The Penguin is available to stream on Max in the U.S. As the series unfolds, audiences will follow Victor's journey and the difficult choices he faces. His character's evolution highlights that, even in the darkest of circumstances, the struggle for redemption and the preservation of one's humanity remains deeply compelling themes.