The Penguin finale on HBO Max made some audience members curious about Sofia Falcone’s connection to Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman. The show threw in a surprising family twist, leaving us wondering if these two anti-heroines are more alike than they think.
Both women, after all, have Gotham’s criminal blood running through their veins, all thanks to Carmine Falcone, Gotham’s notorious crime lord.
But how does a letter from Selina to her half-sister Sofia add to the mystery? Let’s explore this family drama with the Falcone women and what it could mean for future Batman projects.
Disclaimer: The article contains major spoilers for HBO's The Penguin. It also reflects the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
Sofia Falcone in The Penguin
Sofia Falcone, played by Cristin Milioti, is easily one of the most compelling characters in The Penguin. From her first appearance, she steals every scene with a mix of danger and unforgettable allure.
Emerging from a dark past, Sofia grew up in the shadow of her father, Carmine Falcone. He framed her for a series of murders which led to her imprisonment in Arkham Asylum.
By the time we meet her in The Penguin, Sofia is already a broken soul. She is angry at everyone and everything that betrayed her. Despite a toxic family, her only supportive sibling, Alberto, was taken out early in the season. All of this left her truly alone.
She then has to go up against Oz Cobblepot, aka the Penguin who has plans to take over Gotham. Just when she is at her lowest, she receives a letter from someone surprising: her half-sister, Selina Kyle.
Sofia and Selina in The Penguin
In the show’s finale, Selina Kyle, better known as Catwoman, sends Sofia a letter. That moment adds a whole new layer to their relationship. Selina is also Carmine Falcone’s daughter. She grows up far from Gotham’s crime world and doesn’t have to deal with the same family dynamics as Sofia.
Despite their vastly different lives, both women suffer due to their father’s actions. They carry the Falcone family burden in their own ways.
Although the letter's contents weren't revealed, it was powerful enough to wake Sofia from her despair. It even brought a slight smile to her face.
It was as if Selina knew all too well the kind of darkness that came from being a Falcone. She probably offered her half-sister a lifeline, or perhaps a chance for vengeance.
Can Sofia and Selina work together?
Given their different backgrounds, it won’t be easy for Sofia and Selina to bond. Selina is more of a street-smart survivor. She is skilled at figuring out Gotham’s underworld on her own terms. Sofia comes from a powerful mob family, shaped by betrayal and imprisonment.
But there’s still a lot that could bring these two together. Both have lost people close to them and have been betrayed by Carmine. Both sisters have every reason to hate the corrupt powers ruling Gotham.
They could make a pretty dynamic team considering Sofia’s ruthlessness paired with Selina’s cunning. It might even give the Penguin a run for his money.
Milioti, the actress behind Sofia, seems to love this idea. In an interview with The Direct, she hinted that a team-up between Sofia and Selina would be “tearing stuff up” in Gotham.
Well, just think of all the chaos they could unleash. They would unite under their shared hatred and determination to reshape Gotham in their own image.
Falcone family legacy
What makes this connection even more interesting is the Falcone family legacy. Carmine’s influence looms large over Sofia and Selina as they’ve each inherited pieces of his brutal nature.
Sofia’s life is turned upside down by Carmine’s lies and manipulation while Selina struggles with her identity and legacy as his daughter. Sofia’s tragedy is that her family abandoned her. They framed her as a monster to cover up Carmine’s crimes. For years, she’d been isolated and alone, unable to trust anyone.
Showrunner Lauren LeFranc explained to The Direct that this twist with Selina’s letter was meant to bring Sofia a hint of hope. LeFranc saw Selina as a “sense of hope” for Sofia. It was the idea that maybe, just maybe, she’s not entirely alone in the world.
What’s next for the Falcone sisters?
The possibility of a Selina and Sofia partnership (or rivalry) is an exciting one. It could either happen on-screen in The Batman: Part II or remain unexplored. Either way, fans are eager to see how the half-sisters’ story proceeds.
Now, Sofia’s story has only become more complex and intriguing. If Selina and Sofia ever team up, they might just turn the whole city on its head. The Penguin has left us with endless possibilities. And the Falcone legacy lives on, darker than ever.
Trending
Stay tuned to Soap Central for more updates and detailed coverage.
Reply
