Contents
“The Penguin” is an eight-episode HBO miniseries by showrunner Lauren LeFranc. It ran in the US from 19 September to 10 November 2024, and in Germany from September 2024 on Sky Atlantic and WOW. The series is set in the world of the film “The Batman” (2022). Colin Farrell plays the gangster Oz Cobb, who reaches for power in Gotham after the death of mafia boss Carmine Falcone. The series shows the Law of Influence from its dark side.
Influence without position
Situation
At the start, Oz is not one of the heirs to power. He kills Falcone’s son Alberto and has to hide the deed. Then he plays the Falcone and Maroni families off against each other. Later he allies himself with Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti).
Link to the law
Leadership is influence, not position. Oz has no rank, but he knows the interests of everyone involved. Anyone who wants to lead must first understand what drives the others – even without a title.
Giving people what they need
Situation
Oz catches the homeless teenager Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz) and spares him. Victor lost his family in the flood. Oz gives him work and a sense of belonging. When Victor wants to leave Gotham, Oz lets him go. Victor stays.
Link to the law
Influence arises where someone meets a real need: a task, recognition, belonging. Voluntary followership is stronger than forced followership. That holds for good and for ill, which is why the intention behind it matters.
Create value, win followers
Situation
Oz builds his business underground. He puts pressure on a council member so that the Crown Point neighbourhood gets its electricity back. In the finale he is helped by the deputies of rival bosses, who get rid of their own chiefs. Victor set that up.
Link to the law
People follow the one who noticeably improves their situation. Whoever gives something to the forgotten wins their loyalty faster than any hierarchy. Leaders should know who is being overlooked in their organisation.
Every ally is betrayed
Situation
Oz double-crosses his partner Sofia and makes sure she is sent back to the Arkham asylum. Flashbacks show that as a child he let his brothers drown. Whoever is useful to him gets used. Whoever becomes dangerous to him gets sacrificed.
Link to the law
Solid ground is missing here: trust is the foundation of leadership. Influence through manipulation only works as long as the other person does not know the intention. Every betrayal shortens the shelf life of your own power.
The price: Victor
Situation
At the end, Oz celebrates the victory with Victor. Then he kills him. His reasoning, in essence: family makes you weak. Oz is at the top, but nobody stands honestly beside him any more.
Link to the law
Influence without trust does not last. Whoever sees closeness as weakness destroys their own base. A leader who sacrifices their most loyal people teaches everyone else not to trust them.
Key takeaways
Key lessons
- Build influence by understanding what people really need.
- Do not rely on your title.
- Use influence for people, not against them.
- Keep your word, because trust is your foundation.
- Protect the people who are loyal to you.
Summary
Oz Cobb proves that influence does not need a position. He recognises needs and meets them. But he exploits every bond and breaks it when it gets in his way. That is how he wins the city and loses everyone who trusted him.