‘The Penguin’ Episode 3 Recap & Review: Gotham Has Never Been This Blissful

Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Penguin Episode 3, “Bliss.”

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While the devastation caused by The Riddler (Paul Dano) in The Batman has been discussed throughout the first two episodes of the series, the latest installment is the first to flashback for a first-hand experience. Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz) is a regular kid with a family who worries about him, wishing he could spend more time with his girlfriend Graciela (Anire Kim Amoda).

Unfortunately, when destruction reigns upon Gotham City, his family is killed, he is separated from Graciela, and he becomes involved with Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell), leading him to the present day. Now, he is caught in a dangerous operation alongside Oz and Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), as they’re set to reveal a new drug that will change Gotham City forever. Check out all the details from our recap of The Penguin Episode 3, “Bliss,” below!

Sofia Falcone Introduces a New Drug to Gotham City in “Bliss”

Sofia reveals to Oz that it’s been her behind the new drug the entire time, not her deceased brother, Alberto (Michael Zegen). The ruby-like chemical “Bliss” grows on mushrooms and comes directly from a source inside Arkham Asylum, where Sophia spent 10 years for her crimes as The Hangman. However, they still need a distributor.

They take their drug to the Chinese Triads, who demand assurance that the Falcone family is on board. While Sofia is ready to take over the family business, their outside investors aren’t as confident. They’re not interested at first, but Sofia convinces them using firsthand experience, explaining how the guards at Arkham Asylum would use the drug to calm inmates and keep them in good spirits. Oz unveils the dirt he has on Johnny Viti (Michael Kelly) so he and Sofia can blackmail him to support them, and the sale is underway in The Penguin Episode 3.

Victor Aguilar Contemplates Leaving Crime Behind in ‘The Penguin’

With Sofia and Oz busy pitching Bliss to the Triads, Vic has The Penguin’s place to himself and reunites with Graciela. He’s at ease with her and is clearly more confident and calm than he’s appeared in the series so far. Graciela tries to convince him to leave this life behind and join her in California, and he makes up his mind and decides to take her up on the offer in The Penguin Episode 3.

However, when The Penguin returns, he makes Vic’s decision much more difficult. Oz and Vic go to a fancy restaurant, where they bond over discussions about their pasts and their future together. Eventually, Vic reveals how he wants to leave with Graciela, and Oz blows a gasket. After just sharing their deepest moments together, the two argue, part ways, and Vic steals Oz’s car to disappear with Graciella.

‘The Penguin’ Episode 3 Review: Tensions Rise in Gotham City

Just when it appears that Oz and Sofia are ready to control Gotham’s drug scene and everything is progressing as planned, Nadia Maroni (Shohreh Aghdashloo) pulls up with armed guards and holds the two of them at gunpoint. She reveals all of Cobb’s plans, and just as it looks like all hope is lost, Victor returns and rams her guards, rescuing Oz as the two escape together. However, they leave behind Sofia Falcone as the episode concludes, which will likely come back to bite them.

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