For the past seven episodes of The Penguin, Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) has been a master manipulator, using lies, violence, and cunning to climb to the top of Gotham’s criminal world.
The penultimate episode revealed a key event from Oz’s childhood: he was responsible for the deaths of his two brothers, Benny and Jack, by locking them in an overflow tunnel during a heavy rainstorm.
While the series never confirms whether this was intentional or an accident, the intense jealousy that Oz felt toward his brothers suggests that it may have been more than just a tragic mistake. This revelation sets the stage for the dramatic finale.
As the season nears its end, we see Oz struggling with the choices he made in his pursuit of power. In the final episode, titled “A Great or Little Thing”, Oz’s journey reaches its explosive conclusion. Throughout the episode, he confronts the consequences of his past actions while trying to maintain his grip on Gotham’s criminal empire.
The episode is filled with twists and turns, as Oz faces enemies, betrayals, and shocking decisions that will ultimately decide whether he becomes Gotham’s next crime kingpin or if his ambitions will come to an end.
The Conversation That Haunts Francis Cobb
The finale opens with a poignant moment between Francis Cobb (Deirdre O’Connell) and Dr. Julian Rush (Theo Rossi). Francis is being interrogated and forced to reflect on the aftermath of her sons’ deaths. The events that led to Benny and Jack’s deaths are shown once again, but this time through Francis’s perspective.
The previous episode had shown these events through the eyes of a young Oz (Ryder Allen) and a younger Francis (Emily Meade). However, in this finale, Francis’s current state and her pain from the loss of her children take center stage.
At her home in Crown Point, Francis is visited by the notorious mobster Rex Calabrese (Louis Cancelmi). Rex is a key player in Gotham’s criminal underworld, and he offers to pay for the funeral of Benny and Jack. However, Francis, still overcome with grief, refuses.
She has no interest in a funeral, and she does not want to be pitied. Rex tries to shift the conversation to Oz, who has been repeatedly visiting him. Rex claims that Oz has been asking for Francis but that she refuses to even speak to him. Francis, with visible pain, solemnly reveals that she believes Oz intentionally killed his brothers.
She mentions a flashlight that she found in Oz’s jacket pocket, which raises further suspicions. Francis feels that Oz had the opportunity to save his brothers but chose not to, sealing their fate by locking them in the overflow tunnel during the storm.
She confesses that she believes Oz harbors deep jealousy toward his brothers, and that jealousy may have played a key role in their deaths. “I’ve got the devil in my house, Rex. What the hell am I supposed to do?” she asks in desperation. Rex, while acknowledging Francis’s feelings, tries to convince her that Oz still has potential.
He believes that Oz’s loyalty and ambition can be shaped and used for greater purposes. Rex encourages Francis to embrace her son’s ruthless drive, but she refuses. In her pain, Francis instead asks Rex to kill Oz for her.
That night, Francis takes Oz to Monroe’s nightclub. Oz, ever the opportunist, revels in the lavish surroundings and the promise of power that comes with them. He points out Rex across the club and talks excitedly to his mother, who informs him that Rex will be driving him home later.
But as Francis looks around, she spots Sofia Gigante (Cristin Milioti) and Julian, who are watching her closely. The tension in the room is palpable. Oz promises his mother that he will take care of her no matter what, vowing to give her all of Gotham. However, a dark turn is coming, and soon, Oz will realize just how far he is willing to go to achieve his goals.
A Night of Betrayal and Tragedy
Back in the present day, Victor (Rhenzy Feliz), a trusted ally of Oz, is growing concerned. He spots smoke in the distance and fears that Oz may be in danger—or even dead. He confronts other gang leaders, including Feng Zhao (François Chau) of the Triad, accusing them of cowardice.
He believes they only use Oz for his access to Bliss and not because they care about what he’s doing for Gotham. In retaliation, Zhao’s lieutenant, Link (Robert Lee Leng), punches Victor, causing tension among the factions.
Oz, meanwhile, finds himself waking up in Monroe’s, gagged and tied up. Sofia orders Julian to bring out Francis. Sofia then begins to tell a chilling story about her childhood, comparing Oz’s relationship with his mother to the tragic tale of a baby bird that killed its siblings to gain its mother’s attention.
She demands that Oz admit to killing his brothers, but Oz refuses, lashing out with insults. Sofia then reveals that Francis had once hired Rex to kill Oz after the brothers’ deaths, a detail that deeply shocks Francis, who reacts by spitting on Sofia.
Sofia’s patience wears thin. She orders Julian to chop off Francis’s pinky finger as a means of forcing Oz to admit his guilt. Francis screams at Oz to comply, pleading for him to save her once more. Yet Oz refuses, continuing to deny the accusations. This pushes Francis over the edge, and she finally breaks down.
She admits that she has always known the truth—that Oz was responsible for her sons’ deaths. Oz, ever the manipulator, denies it, claiming that her memories are clouded by illness. He calls her confused and insists that what she remembers never really happened. But Francis, broken and furious, screams that she hates him for what he did and that she will never forgive him.
In a devastating moment, Francis tells Oz she should have killed him when she had the chance. Overcome by emotion, Francis grabs a glass bottle and stabs Oz in the stomach. As she does, she envisions Benny and Jack, drenched in the rain, watching her. Oz, in his fury, breaks free from his restraints. He grabs a gun and his unconscious mother and escapes from Monroe’s, shooting Detective Marcus Wise in the process.
Oz’s Last Chance at Power
Oz arrives at a hospital and rushes Francis in on a stretcher. He steals a phone to call Victor and hides in a storage room, where he tries to patch up his stab wound. When Victor arrives, Oz lies, claiming that Sofia was responsible for the attack, not Francis.
Victor, concerned for Oz, tries to offer support, but Oz insists that he has nothing left to offer the gangs. However, Victor reassures him, reminding him of all the people he’s helped and how the gang members look up to him. Victor promises that Oz still has a purpose and should not give up just yet.
Oz, listening to Victor’s encouraging words, decides to get out of the hospital and take control of his future. As the gang leaders arrive at Sofia’s estate, she reveals that she plans to leave Gotham and promises her criminal empire to anyone who can bring her Oz. The gang leaders, still reeling from the chaos, are shocked, but Link, ever the skeptic, claims that Sofia is lying.
Oz and Victor make their way to the Gotham courthouse, where Oz prepares to meet Councilman Hady (Rhys Coiro). Victor receives a phone call from Link, who has a surprising proposition: he wants to help Oz. Oz, now fully in control of his narrative, arrives at the courthouse and delivers a statement to Hady.
He claims that the destroyed drug lab was entirely the work of Salvatore Maroni and that Maroni was responsible for the death of Alberto. He goes on to say that Sofia killed Nadia and Taj and then blew up the lab. Hady warns Oz that Mayor-Elect Bella Reál (Jayme Lawson) will soon be targeting Gotham’s criminals.
If Oz wants to escape his past and maintain his power, he will need to clean up his image in the public eye. As Oz leaves the courthouse, he sees Link and several Triad members waiting for him, signaling that the final chapter of his journey is about to unfold.
The Ultimate Betrayal and Oz’s Victory
Sofia, now packing her bags to leave Gotham, sets fire to her family’s mansion as a symbol of the destruction she’s leaving behind. At the hangar, she is greeted by the Triad, who are holding Oz at gunpoint. However, as the situation intensifies, Link shoots Zhao dead, and Oz and Victor kill the remaining gang members. Victor, now fully loyal to Oz, orders Sofia to drive with him “like old times.”
As the two drive, Sofia mocks Oz, asking him if his mother ever told him she loved him. Oz, now fully hardened, responds by telling Sofia that he gave Link a chance when no one else would. This moment marks Oz’s full transformation into a ruthless leader, willing to betray anyone who stands in his way.
Still from The Penguin (Credit: HBO)
The journey ends with Sofia’s arrest by the GCPD, leaving Oz with nothing but his ambition. However, his victory comes at a heavy cost. Back at the hospital, Oz is devastated to learn that Francis has suffered a severe stroke and is now in a vegetative state. She cannot respond, and Oz is left crying, begging her to tell him that she’s proud of him.
The final scenes show Oz and Victor walking into the club. In the final shot, Oz reveals that he has become the true ruler of Gotham, the criminal kingpin who controls it all. As he takes his seat at the table, a faint smile crosses his face, knowing that his path to power has been cemented—no matter the cost.
Fire Country continues to be one of the hottest shows on television, keeping viewers hooked with its intense action and deep personal drama. As the show prepares for the premiere of its third season, there is no better time than now to reflect on the second season and where the characters’ stories stand.
The second season of Fire Country primarily focuses on Bode Leone’s journey of redemption, but also shows the struggles of his family and fellow firefighters.
This season, Bode faces numerous personal and professional challenges, all while trying to rebuild his life. Season 2 marks a pivotal point in his transformation, but it also sets up a number of new conflicts that will unfold in the upcoming season.
Bode Leone’s Path to Freedom
Season 2 of Fire Country begins with Bode still in prison, dealing with the aftermath of his actions from Season 1. His time behind bars was a direct result of events that unfolded in Edgewater, where Bode made some mistakes that led to his incarceration.
However, Bode’s story in Season 2 is marked by a major turning point: his release on parole. Bode’s journey toward redemption is one of the main focuses of the show, and the season makes it clear that he is finally starting to live up to the person he wants to be.
The key to Bode’s freedom is an act of heroism. At the beginning of Season 2, Bode is still serving his sentence in prison. But after some important truths are revealed about his innocence, Bode gets a chance to prove himself and earns his release.
It is an extraordinary act of bravery that allows Bode to be freed, finally giving him the chance to turn his life around. He returns to the Three Rock fire camp, a place that has come to symbolize his hope for a fresh start.
Once free, Bode faces the challenge of reintegrating into society. For years, he has been imprisoned, and now he has to learn how to be a productive member of the world again. This proves to be a difficult journey, but it is one that Bode is willing to take on.
His desire to be a better man is evident, and by the end of the season, it looks like he is beginning to turn a corner. The season finale hints that Bode’s uncle Luke (Michael Trucco) will help him find a spot with Cal Fire, giving him another chance to prove himself in the fire-fighting world.
Bode’s Belief in a New Family
Another significant aspect of Bode’s journey in Season 2 is his belief that he may have a daughter. Throughout much of the season, Bode is convinced that Genevieve (Alix West Lefler), the daughter of his ex-girlfriend Cara Maisonette (Sabina Gadecki), is his child. This belief comes from a revelation Cara made in Season 1, when she told Jake (Jordan Calloway) that she thought Bode might be Genevieve’s father.
This revelation pushes Bode to work even harder to improve himself. He feels a new sense of responsibility, and the idea that he has something to live for other than his relationship with Gabriela (Stephanie Arcila) gives him extra motivation.
Still from Fire Country (Credit: CBS)
For a time, Bode is even considering suicide by combat, a dangerous path he was ready to take. But the thought of being a father and having a child to care for brings him back from the brink.
However, just when Bode begins to embrace the idea of fatherhood, he learns that Genevieve is not his daughter after all. Instead, she is the child of Bode’s former friend-turned-enemy, Rick Stengler (Adam Aalderks). This revelation comes as a shock to Bode and the entire Leone family, and it changes the course of Bode’s journey.
Rick had been involved in some illegal and dangerous activities with Bode back in Edgewater, and their falling out was one of the reasons Bode ended his relationship with Cara. Rick’s return to Edgewater and the discovery of his paternity to Genevieve sets up new conflicts for the upcoming season.
Rick’s return also complicates matters for Bode, who is now forced to share the spotlight with a man who was once his friend, but who is also someone he sees as a threat. Rick’s character will undoubtedly play a major role in Season 3, especially with the tension between him and Bode.
And with Genevieve now living with Jake, the situation promises to create even more family drama, as Genevieve is caught in the middle of two men with different ideas of what it means to be a father.
Tensions at Three Rock
While Bode is wrapped up in his personal struggles, the fire camp at Three Rock is facing its own set of problems. After the investigation into Three Rock’s operations in the first season, Manny (Kevin Alejandro) is demoted and removed from his position as captain.
This change in leadership causes a lot of tension, particularly between Manny and Eve (Jules Latimer), who takes over as the new captain. The two characters clash throughout the season, adding to the already strained atmosphere at the camp.
Things get even more complicated when Cal Fire, and Luke in particular, threatens to shut down Three Rock. After a series of problems with the camp’s operations, there is talk of using Three Rock as an example of what happens when fire camps fail.
This puts everyone at Three Rock on edge, as they wonder if their beloved camp will be shut down permanently. However, Bode’s timely intervention saves the day when he helps a politician who has the power to keep the camp open. Governor Kelly (Catherine Lough Haggquist) steps in and helps prevent Three Rock from being closed down, though not all of the camp’s troubles are completely resolved.
The heroes at Three Rock find themselves involved in the Lazarus Fire, which becomes a defining moment for the camp. Their work during this intense fire battle helps prove that Three Rock is still an institution worth saving, and their place in the larger Cal Fire network seems secure.
By the end of the season, Manny and Eve appear to have reconciled their differences, and the camp’s future looks a little brighter. However, Manny still faces personal and legal issues outside of his job, which could add complications in the upcoming season.
The Leone Family’s Continued Struggles
While Bode works on rebuilding his life, the rest of the Leone family faces their own struggles. Season 2 is full of tragedy, with Bode’s time in prison, Cara’s untimely death, and Manny’s arrest. These events set the stage for even more family drama.
One of the most heartbreaking moments comes when Vince (Billy Burke), Bode’s father, is electrocuted while on the job. Vince’s injury causes him to develop tremors in his hands, which he tries to hide from his family. Vince is afraid that revealing his condition could end his career as a firefighter.
He has always dreamed of fighting fires alongside his son, and he doesn’t want to admit that he is no longer physically capable of doing the job. However, as his condition worsens, Vince finally confides in his wife, Sharon (Diane Farr), who convinces him to seek treatment. Luckily for Vince, it seems like the treatment is helping for now, but his future as a firefighter remains uncertain.
Throughout the season, Sharon and Vince also deal with marital issues. After Bode goes to prison, Sharon joins a campaign fire and is away from Vince for an extended period.
During this time, Sharon begins to develop an emotional bond with another man, Liam (Jason O’Mara). It seems for a while like Sharon might be considering ending her marriage to Vince, but by the end of the season, their relationship is still intact.
Another revelation comes when Sharon learns that she has an estranged stepsister, Mickey Fox (Morena Baccarin), whom she has not spoken to in years. Sharon and Mickey’s relationship is tense at first, but the two eventually reconcile.
Mickey plays a key role in helping Bode catch a cop killer, and this plotline leaves the door open for her character to return in the future. Mickey is also set to lead the spin-off series Sheriff Country, so fans can expect to see more of her in the coming seasons.
Gabriela’s Engagement and Bode’s Tough Decision
One of the biggest emotional moments in Season 2 revolves around Gabriela (Stephanie Arcila) and her decision to move on from Bode. While Bode is in prison, Gabriela forms a relationship with Diego Moreno (Rafael de la Fuente), a fellow paramedic. As the season progresses, Gabriela and Diego get engaged, and by the season finale, they are preparing to get married.
Bode’s return to Three Rock coincides with Gabriela’s wedding plans, and the situation is complicated by the unresolved feelings between her and Bode. In a moment of emotional turmoil, Bode and Gabriela share a kiss, but Gabriela ultimately decides to go through with marrying Diego.
Still from Fire Country (Credit: CBS)
The season finale, “I Do,” ends with Gabriela standing at the altar, about to marry Diego, when she looks into the crowd and realizes that Bode has left before the ceremony. This sets the stage for Season 3, where viewers will likely see the fallout from Gabriela’s decision and Bode’s emotional response.
Freddy Mills (W. Tré Davis) advises Bode to fight for Gabriela’s love, but Bode decides to take the high road and respect her decision.
Gabriela has a history of being uncertain about her relationships, and it remains unclear whether she and Diego will go through with the wedding in Season 3. Regardless of what happens, the drama surrounding Gabriela, Bode, and Diego will be a central theme in the upcoming season.
