In the latest episode of The Penguin, titled “Top Hat,” the show delivers a shocking twist with the death of Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown), a key figure in Gotham’s criminal underworld.
While the episode continues to build on the drama between the various factions vying for power in Gotham, it also signals the end of one of the last ties to the city’s classic mob scene.
For many viewers, it’s an unexpected and abrupt turn, as neither Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) nor Oz’s mother (Deirdre O’Connell) meet their end this week.
Instead, the mob boss’s death sets the stage for the show’s focus to shift further away from Gotham’s traditional crime families, a move that has some fans questioning whether Maroni’s character was given enough time to shine before his untimely demise.
Though Maroni’s death feels inevitable given the series’ buildup, it is ultimately a disappointment for those familiar with his rich comic book legacy.
It’s clear that the character was set up to be more significant in The Penguin, but by the end of Episode 7, he is reduced to little more than a plot device.
The death, while impactful in the moment, underscores how The Penguin could have made better use of Maroni’s established history in Gotham mythology, especially considering how crucial he has been in Batman lore for decades.
Salvatore Maroni’s Legacy in Gotham Mythology
Salvatore Maroni is a pivotal figure in the history of Gotham. His character first appeared in Detective Comics #66 in 1942 and has played an important role in shaping Gotham’s criminal show ever since.
Maroni is known for being a ruthless mob boss who controls much of Gotham’s underworld. However, his most significant claim to fame is his role in the creation of one of Batman’s most iconic villains: Two-Face.
In the landmark comic book story The Long Halloween, Maroni’s actions directly contribute to Harvey Dent’s transformation into the dual-faced villain. Maroni, in a fit of rage, throws acid in Harvey Dent’s face, leading to Dent’s disfigurement.
This act sets the stage for the creation of Two-Face, a villain whose internal struggle between his good and bad sides mirrors Gotham’s ongoing battle between justice and corruption.
Maroni’s influence on the Batman mythos is undeniable, and yet, The Penguin seems to miss the opportunity to fully show this rich history.
Despite Maroni’s deep ties to Gotham and Batman’s legacy, The Penguin seems content to treat him as a secondary character. Throughout his time on the show, Maroni’s impact on the plot is minimal at best.
His interactions with the other characters, especially with Oz, feel shallow and lack the depth that his comic book counterpart would typically carry.
In The Penguin, Maroni is presented as little more than a washed-up mob boss, a character who has clearly seen better days and is no longer the powerful figure he once was.
Still from The Penguin Episodes (Credit: HBO)
While this fits with the theme of the show’s scheme of the changing criminal show in Gotham, it also undermines the character’s potential to contribute meaningfully to the story.
The Death of Maroni: A Missed Opportunity
The way in which Maroni dies in The Penguin feels almost like an afterthought. The episode’s climax has Maroni confront Oz, who manages to escape from his clutches.
The two briefly struggle in a trailer, and in the midst of their fight, Maroni suffers a heart attack and dies. This anticlimactic death feels rushed and unsatisfying, especially given Maroni’s importance in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy.
The suddenness of Maroni’s death works in some ways. It plays into the show’s theme of the inevitability of death in the criminal underworld.
In many gangster stories, characters like Maroni meet their end unexpectedly, as seen in iconic moments like Tony Soprano’s (James Gandolfini) sudden fade to black in the final episode of The Sopranos or the shocking deaths in The Departed.
These deaths are often intended to reflect the unpredictable and brutal nature of the criminal world. Maroni’s death fits this mold, but it also feels underwhelming because of the lack of attention given to his character development.
For the most part, Maroni’s role in The Penguin is defined by his brief interactions with other characters. He is tricked by Oz into trusting him, and he forms a short-lived partnership with Sofia (Cristin Milioti), a character who quickly emerges as the true power player in Gotham.
Throughout this arc, Maroni is portrayed as a tired and defeated figure, someone who has long since lost the ambition and power that once made him a formidable foe in Gotham’s underworld.
While it is clear that the show wants to focus on Sofia’s rise to power, the sidelining of Maroni makes his death feel unearned and lackluster.
Clancy Brown’s Performance: A Waste of Talent?
Clancy Brown is an actor known for his deep voice and commanding presence, qualities that have made him a standout in both animated and live-action roles.
Brown’s portrayal of Maroni in The Penguin certainly reflects his tough, no-nonsense approach to playing characters.
His Maroni is a physically imposing figure who uses his strength and experience to face the dangerous world of Gotham’s criminal underworld. However, despite the potential for Brown to truly bring Maroni to life, The Penguin never fully utilizes his talents.
Brown has proven his ability to portray complex characters in other comic book adaptations. He voiced Mr. Freeze in the 2004 animated series The Batman and played The Blacksmith in Marvel’s Daredevil Season 2. Both of these roles allowed Brown to show the darker, more tragic sides of his characters.
Unfortunately, The Penguin does not give him the same opportunity. The series never allows Maroni to have a true moment of emotional depth, nor does it shows his backstory or motivations in any meaningful way.
Instead, Maroni’s character is relegated to being a mere stepping stone in the larger power struggles unfolding in Gotham.
One of the few moments where Maroni stands out is in Episode 5, when he survives an assassination attempt by Oz. This scene hints at Maroni’s toughness and resourcefulness, but it also serves to highlight how the show fails to build on this potential.
In comparison to the other villains in The Penguin, Maroni is not given the chance to make a lasting impression.
Sofia’s confrontation with Eve Karlo (Carmen Ejogo) in Episode 6, for example, allows both characters to showcase their strength and resolve.
Even Johnny Viti (Michael Kelly), who meets a sudden end in Episode 7, has a more memorable moment when he delivers a monologue about his regrets before being shot in the head.
Maroni, on the other hand, never gets the chance to show his emotional complexity or show his past connections to Gotham’s old crime families, such as the Falcones and the Waynes.
It’s clear that the show is positioning Sofia as the central villain of the series, with Maroni serving as a temporary obstacle in her path. But this decision comes at the cost of giving Maroni the depth and gravitas he deserves.
Brown’s performance is strong, but it is ultimately wasted in a role that does not fully capitalize on his skills. Fans of the actor, and of the character, will likely be left wanting more after his abrupt exit from the show.
The Penguin: A New Focus on Sofia Gigante
With Maroni’s death marking the end of Gotham’s old guard, the series seems poised to focus more on Sofia Gigante, the ambitious villain played by Cristin Milioti.
Sofia has quickly become one of the most compelling characters in The Penguin, thanks to Milioti’s scene-stealing performance.
Still from The Penguin (Credit: HBO)
Her rise to power in the criminal world is a central focus of the series, and it is clear that she will be the one to reshape Gotham’s criminal show in the coming episodes.
As The Penguin progresses, it will be interesting to see how the show balances Sofia’s dominance with the lingering presence of other villains, such as Oz.
The show has made it clear that Sofia is the one to watch, and her continued rise to power will likely be the focal point of the finale.
However, with the death of Maroni and the sidelining of other traditional Gotham criminals, it’s uncertain what role the old guard will play in the new order that Sofia is working to establish.
For now, Maroni’s death marks the end of an era in Gotham’s criminal underworld. The show has shifted its focus, and while it may have missed the opportunity to fully show the character’s potential, it has certainly set the stage for the rise of a new villain in Sofia Gigante.
As The Penguin moves toward its finale, fans will be watching closely to see how the series continues to evolve and whether it can redeem its treatment of one of Gotham’s most iconic mob bosses.
Maroni’s death may have served a narrative purpose, but it feels like a missed opportunity to go deeper into one of Gotham’s most iconic figures.
The Penguin has yet to fully take advantage of the character’s rich backstory, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.
With the show’s focus shifting toward Sofia, it remains to be seen how Maroni’s death will shape the future of Gotham’s criminal show.
For Survivor 47, the unexpected is no longer just a part of the game — it’s now the heart of the game. With the merge now behind the castaways, and the individual portion of the competition fully underway, each player must be prepared for anything.
The twists are growing more intense, forcing castaways to think on their feet and adjust their strategies quickly if they hope to secure their spot in the game. It’s a whole new game where handling the unknown could be the key to winning it all.
Since it first aired in 2000, Survivor has become one of the most iconic reality competition shows in television history.
Hosted by Jeff Probst, Survivor has seen dozens of seasons, with hundreds of players battling to outwit, outplay, and outlast one another in challenging environments.
Players compete for the grand prize: a million-dollar reward and the title of Sole Survivor. This season, Survivor 47 continues to attract audiences as the players fight for dominance on the islands of Fiji, where dramatic twists and ever-shifting alliances keep things exciting.
Let’s break down the latest exciting developments in Survivor 47, from shocking twists to intense challenges, and see what it all means for the castaways’ futures.
When Can You Watch ‘Survivor 47’?
Survivor 47 airs every Wednesday at 8:00 pm EST on CBS. Each episode is a jam-packed, 90-minute adventure that leaves fans on the edge of their seats, making sure to keep the excitement high throughout the season.
Where to Watch ‘Survivor 47’
If you want to watch Survivor 47, it’s available to stream on Paramount+. The platform offers two subscription plans: Paramount+ Essential, which costs $7.99 a month with ads, and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, which costs $12.99 a month and comes with no ads.
Right now, you can also get a free trial week with both plans, giving you a chance to check out the latest season of Survivor 47 at no extra cost.
What Was the Big Twist on ‘Survivor 47’?
One of the most exciting parts of Survivor 47 so far has been the shocking twists that have changed everything for the players.
After the merge, when all the remaining castaways officially received their merge buffs, the game transitioned to an individual competition, but not without a dramatic twist.
Still from Survivor 47 (Credit: CBS)
The twist began with a random draw, dividing the castaways into two teams of six. On the yellow team were Genevieve Mushaluk, Teeny Chirichillo, Sol Yi, Andy Rueda, Sierra Wright, and Sam Phalen. The blue team consisted of Kyle Ostwald, Sue Smey, Gabe Ortis, Caroline Vidmar, Tiyana Hallums, and Rachel LaMont.
Jeff Probst then revealed a huge twist. The castaway who outlasted everyone on their team would win a food reward for their entire team and, more importantly, group immunity.
But the twist didn’t end there — the winning team would not get to vote at Tribal Council. For the losing team, the castaway who survived the longest would receive immunity, but the rest of the team would be forced to vote someone out, and that player would not be part of the jury.
This twist shook up the game in dramatic ways, with everyone having to adjust to the new rules and prepare for the unexpected.
Who Won Immunity on Episode 7 of ‘Survivor 47’?
In the immunity challenge, players had to balance a ball on a small disc while holding a long pole over their heads.
The challenge became even harder as they had to move down a narrow beam, making it more difficult to keep their ball from falling. If anyone dropped the ball or pole, they were out.
Kyle Ostwald won immunity for the blue team, but he couldn’t outlast Teeny Chirichillo and Genevieve Mushaluk from the yellow team, who both managed to stay in the game long enough to win immunity for their entire team.
This left the blue team at a disadvantage. While Kyle was safe, the rest of his team was vulnerable, and the yellow team secured the win, meaning they got immunity for the Tribal Council.
Who Found the Advantage?
After the immunity challenge, the yellow team enjoyed a reward: baby back ribs, potato salad, corn on the cob, beer, and soft drinks.
As the castaways relaxed and recovered from their feast, Sol Yi noticed something odd. While the others were distracted, Sol found a clue hidden in plain sight.
The clue led Sol to an advantage that would give him the power to impact the upcoming Tribal Council. He had to give it to one player on the losing team — the blue team.
That player could choose between two powers: a Block a Vote advantage or Safety Without Power, which allowed them to leave Tribal Council without casting a vote. Sol was now in a position of power, and his next moves would have a significant impact on the game.
Who Was Voted Out Seventh on ‘Survivor 47’?
At Tribal Council, things didn’t go as expected for the losing team. The Tuku Tribe had the majority of players on the blue team, so it seemed like Rachel LaMont, the sole player from the Gata Tribe, would be the one voted out. However, this is Survivor, and nothing is ever simple.
Before the votes were cast, Rachel revealed that she had been given a mysterious advantage, not knowing that it had come from Sol.
She had received the Safety Without Power advantage, which allowed her to leave the Tribal Council immediately and avoid casting a vote. This twist threw a wrench in the Tuku Tribe’s plans, forcing them to reconsider their vote.
With Rachel no longer in the running, the Tuku Tribe had no choice but to vote out one of their own.
Tiyana Hallums, who had been dreaming of making it to the jury phase of the game, was eliminated. The final vote came in at 4-1, with Gabe, Kyle, Sue, and Caroline voting for Tiyana, and Tiyana herself voting for Gabe.
Who Was the MVP of Episode 7?
One of the standout players of this episode was Sol Yi. From the beginning of the episode, Sol made moves to ensure he was in a good position.
He informed Andy Rueda that he was the decoy vote, making Andy believe that his alliance saw him as expendable.
This move helped Sol solidify trust with players outside of his core alliance, ensuring that he had multiple options in the game.
Then, when Sol found the advantage, he used it strategically, giving it to Rachel to help her out and, in turn, disrupt the plans of the Tuku Tribe.
Sol’s social and strategic game was on full display, and it’s clear that he’s a strong contender for the title of Sole Survivor.
What Might Happen Next on ‘Survivor 47’?
Looking ahead, Survivor 47 is about to get even more exciting. The Survivor Auction is returning, and the castaways will have the chance to use Survivor bucks to purchase items that could impact the game. The auction format is similar to the one used in Survivor 45, and it’s bound to shake things up.
Still from Survivor 47 (Credit: CBS)
The connections that Sol has built with players like Rachel and Andy could become crucial in the upcoming episodes.
With his ability to form new alliances, Sol may have the power to shift the game in his favor. As original bonds begin to fracture and new alliances form, it’s very possible that there will be a major blindside on the horizon.
The twists in this season of Survivor are far from over, and the castaways are in for even more surprises as the competition intensifies.
Survivor 47 continues to deliver high drama, unpredictable moments, and thrilling gameplay, making it one of the most exciting seasons yet.
