The Penguin Episode 3 Recap & Ending Explained: What Does Victor Do?

The Penguin Episode 3, titled “Bliss,” begins with a flashback depicting Victor “Vic” Aguilar’s (Rhenzy Feliz) life immediately before the flooding in Gotham City, in which he lost his family. At present, he continues to work for Oswald “Oz” Cobb / The Penguin (Colin Farrell), while the latter and Sofia (Cristin Milioti) visit Chinatown looking for a distributor for their new drug. The episode considerably focuses on Vic as he makes an important choice, shaping his future.

Here is everything you need to know about the ending of The Penguin Episode 3.

What happens at the end of The Penguin Episode 3?

The episode is named after Sofia and Oz’s new drug. It turns out that Sofia is behind the plans about the drug, not Alberto. A “potent euphoric stimulant” created from a rare strain of mushroom, the drug was administered to Sofia when she was in Arkham. It seems that she correctly surmised that it would sell incredibly well in a city recently struck by man-made flooding and multiple tragedies.

Sofia and Oz find a distributor in the Triad by convincing its leader that they have the support of Johnny Viti after blackmailing the latter for his affair with Luca Falcone’s wife. Sofia and Oz also hold a trial for the drug at a Triad-run club, and it passes with flying colors.

It is heavily implied that Oz informed Carmine Falcone about Sofia’s actions, leading to her institutionalization at Arkham. Sofia, at least partly, blames Oz for what happened to her at the facility, though most of her anger is aimed at her now-deceased father.

During a candid conversation between Oz and Sofia, a seemingly emotional Oz states that telling Carmine about Sofia was “worth it” as he got the club and got to run his own drops operation afterward, and those things meant something to him. He claims, however, that he is sorry for what Sofia had to endure. Just when it seems they are about to patch things up and move forward, Nadia Maroni arrives, accusing Oz of “playing” them.

Why does Victor leave Oz but return in The Penguin Episode 3?

Victor makes a critical choice in Episode 3, which will shape his future. He reunites with his girlfriend Graciela, and she informs him that she is leaving Gotham as she has lost her family in the flooding just like Vic. She asks Vic if he will go with her. Vic initially agrees though he fears that Oz will kill him if he comes to know about it. However, much to his surprise, Oz lets him go.

Vic subsequently takes Oz’s car and drives to the bus station. But instead of getting on the bus with Graciela, he watches her leave before going back and saving Oz from the Maronis. In certain ways, he and Oz are very similar, and Oz sees this. Like Oz, Vic wants more from his life, and he is gradually realizing that he will need to get his hands dirty to get what he wants.

As they leave, Vic asks Oz about Sofia but is told to leave her behind. Oz knows that Sofia will soon find out about Alberto, and he will be in the crosshairs of both the Falcones and the Maronis.