Think Dallas, Dynasty, and Knot’s Landing. All were long-term series that still influence the current television age.

While television may have moved away from the genre, many series still embrace the core principle of those beloved soaps: throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.

There are a lot of downright scandalous series on the air nowadays and in years past. Those that are rife with drama and unbelievable plots that may not make all the sense in the world but are too entertaining for it to matter.

We’re looking at some of those current and past series that embody the spirit of wacky and dramatic television that had everyone gathered around the water cooler (remember those?) to discuss the latest attempted murder or cheating scandal!

Check out our list, and let us know some of your favorite soapy shows from over the years!

Scandal

When you think of the wildest and most nonsensical storylines that had you glued to your television screen weekly, you think of the Shonda Rhimes gem Scandal.

All the Shondaland shows could make this kind of list (and you’ll see another one pop up later!), but Scandal remains one of the biggest shows of the last twenty years, and its cultural impact can still be felt today.

Olivia Pope, her white hat, President Fitzgerald Grant III, DEFIANCE, and B613 were just some of the various things Scandal gave us, and audiences devoured the sordid tales of espionage, political intrigue, and high-profile affairs.

Scandal was drama on top of drama, and the series constantly outdid itself by finding new and twistier ways to shock viewers who thought they’d seen it all.

The age of live tweeting and instant reactions really took off during this age of television, and Scandal was a big reason for that.

Watch Scandal Online

Gossip Girl

“Hey, Upper East Siders, Gossip Girl here.”

You may have never seen an episode of the CW 2000s staple, but you’ve undoubtedly heard that phrase before. Gossip Girl came along when cell phones quickly became THE place to get all your information, and the series fed into the craze.

From the outside, it wasn’t wholly relatable, as not many teens across America were living the extravagant lifestyles that Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf, but they could relate to the high school hierarchies, betrayals, and heartbreak that often befell the young Manhattanites.

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The characters were deceitful in their own ways, and the series relied on shock value, though it didn’t always come in the form of surprising deaths but good, old-fashioned treachery.  

Every Thanksgiving that one clip from Gossip Girls Season 3 Episode 11 makes the rounds and is the epitome of what the series was. Secrets and more secrets came out, causing embarrassment, sadness, anger, and everything in between.

It was not a prestige drama. But Gossip Girl remains one of the most deliciously twisty series in recent memory and lives on now as one of the most entertaining series we’ve seen.

Watch Gossip Girl Online

Bridgerton

Think Gossip Girl meets the Regency Era, and you get Bridgerton, a Shondaland product that has become one of the most popular shows of the past five years.

Bridgerton’s entire premise is basically someone in town hiding behind the moniker Lady Whistledown and gossiping about everyone in her own little published paper.

Sound familiar?

The series is sexy and raunchy in all the right ways, and while that period may not be relatable, seeing cutthroat courting, backstabbing, and betrayal transcends all eras.

Bridgerton has become a household name, and each new season features a new romance and a new set of trials and tribulations that audiences are excited to devour.

The show has a little bit of everything, leaving you gobsmacked regularly.

Watch Bridgerton Online

Ginny & Georgia

Ginny & Georgia is a complicated but engaging tale about Georgia Miller, the mother of Ginny and Austin. She has moved to many places with her children and set up shop in Wellsbury, Massachusetts.

Georgia and her kids have a tough go of it, and the series delves into several serious topics, like childhood abuse and self-harm.

Georgia tried hard to fit in when she arrived, but Cynthia and her friends in Season 1 spread so much gossip about her that she never did.

You weren’t the right kind of woman if you didn’t fit into the ladies’ society.

There’s a lot of drama in the serene little town, and it’s a soapy series that reminds you of the comedy dramas from the 80s that thoughtfully dealt with serious subject matter.

Watch Ginny & Georgia Online

Elite

Look, if you want to have a conversation about why Elite was still airing as of 2024, then that’s a conversation that can be had. But when the series was in its heyday (we’re looking at the first three seasons), it was one hell of a thriller.

The Las Encinas high schoolers were involved in various dramas, including crime and straight-up murder. While the series was risqué when it wanted to be, it also dove into broader and more serious topics.

The series took off on social media amid a time when binging series were taking off, and audiences were enthralled by the high school drama mixed with heart and a gripping mystery woven within.

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Like many of the others on this list, the series became popular across social media and launched the careers of many of the series stars.

That first season remains one of the most captivating teen drama seasons ever. They had one job and one job only: to cram as much drama as they could into eight episodes, and they did it in spades.

Watch Elite Online

Revenge

Emily Thorne came to get her revenge but encountered many other problems along the way.

A story about someone looking for revenge is a tale as old as time. Still, Revenge turned Emily’s journey into something unexpected, as she fought feelings for the enemy, faces from the past, and supposedly dead people!

Emily was on a mission to avenge her father, and she did so by waltzing into the lives of various families in the Hamptons with nothing but a dream and a Sharpie. But the secrets she encountered were plentiful, as were the lies and dangerous situations she and others found themselves in.

The series stood out, especially in its earlier seasons, for taking itself very seriously while leaning into the ridiculous. It was sometimes predictable (hell, A LOT of the time), but it was highly addictive.

Each week, Emily got deeper into the lives of the people she was solely trying to rip apart from the inside out.

The series may have gone on a season or two too long, but when it was great, it was genuinely great.

Watch Revenge Online

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin

The latest in the Pretty Little Liars franchise desired better than its fate.

Original Sin took us to Millwood, Pennsylvania, where a set of new friends came together and found their lives threatened by a masked killer named A, who may have had something to do with a mysterious death that befell a classmate of their mothers.

The chemistry between the girls was the heart and soul of the slasher teen drama, which had a great mix of drama, mystery, intrigue, and vengeance to keep things interesting week in and week out.

While trying to find the identity of A was the end goal, there was so much deception and craziness along the way that sucked you in. Every storyline had meaning and emotional weight, even when the levels of ridiculousness reached a fever pitch.

Having the girls attend summer school in the second season expanded the universe and upped the stakes. It was soapy goodness at its very best, and it’s shameful that we won’t see the girls continue to grow and uncover the never-ending secrets and mysteries throughout those small Pennsylvania towns.

Watch Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Online

Rivals

If you haven’t gotten the chance to stream Rivals on Disney+ yet, do yourself a favor and do so now.

The British drama series explores the rivalries between various people surrounding an independent commercial television station. It’s sexy and indecent, filled with affairs and backstabbing from just about every corner.

Every character gets a moment to be a little naughty, and the series takes us back to the ’80s, with high hair, high-waisted jeans, and a relatively high tolerance for debauchery.

There aren’t many television shows currently airing that truly invoke the wild and crazy of yesteryears and do it with such aplomb. The ensemble cast is stacked from top to bottom with compelling characters and intriguing storylines.

If those watercooler conversations were still a thing like they were in the period this series takes place, Rivals is the kind of show that would have everyone talking.

Watch Rivals Online

Now that you’ve seen our list, tell us your favorite gossip-worthy series in the comments below!

Did your favorite make the cut? What others would you add, and which would you remove from the list?

We can’t wait to hear from you!

The post Revenge Plots, Breakups, and Drama: The Best TV Shows for Spilling the Tea appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The condition might’ve been described in Ye Olden Days as that “record-scratch” moment when a person entered a room, and all eyes turned to them in wonder. 

It’s that same center-of-attention dynamic, only all the time and in every room.

But if everyone truly is the hero of their own story, how is Main Character Syndrome any different from just being alive? 

What Are The Symptoms?

It’s when someone considers themselves the main character in someone else’s story. This has traditionally been the one job where you can’t be replaced.

Pulling focus like this doesn’t work well in real life, but it’s surprisingly common on the small screen. 

After all, you don’t have to be an actual main character in order to act like one, as many TV protagonists have discovered. 

In fact, a character doesn’t even have to be particularly virtuous.

It’s a nifty trick for a character to blur the lines between who gets your attention and who deserves it. And a TV landscape filled with anti-heroes makes for excellent camouflage.

So, which questionable protagonists act like their show should be all about them?

If Main Character Syndrome were a person, that person would be Jennifer Coolidge. She remains the premier example in just about every project she’s in, especially The White Lotus franchise.

Her scene-stealing persona usually presents as being completely unaware of how she affects those around her.

That absolves her (at least a little bit) of intentionally causing misery to others and also sets her up as the only person in the room who doesn’t realize how awful her character’s actions are.

But there are other not-so-nice TV protagonists who trick us into seeing them as heroically good.

Watch The White Lotus Online

Guillermo de la Cruz, What We Do In The Shadows

Our favorite long-suffering ex-familiar has always been positioned as the sole voice of reason in a house of, shall we say, strong personalities. 

Guillermo (Harvey Guillen)’s role as an audience stand-in and assumed good guy was based on nothing more than his not being a vampire (and, I suppose, that business about him being related to Van Helsing). 

The series portrayed him as a sweet, innocent babe in the woods at the mercy of a group of vampires. 

But was he, really?

Guillermo helped facilitate countless deaths over the years to feed Nandor and the other vampires. Sure, he did it with a “Mondays, amirite?” shrug, but… he did it nonetheless.

Despite a talent for walking the vampires back from their worst impulses, Guillermo himself almost murdered Nandor at least twice for breaking his promise to turn him into a vampire.

He also disposed of so many dead bodies in their backyard that a sinkhole opened.

Guillermo’s sound bites for the documentary crew always sounded reasonable and generous.

But his actions were more often self-serving and duplicitous, like when he kept his vampire hunter heritage a secret for a very long time (for good reason, but still).

His justifications were understandable after being strung along for a decade of servitude and having to lead a double life on little to no sleep.

However, his thoughts and actions can only be categorized as “good” compared to the vampires around him. And he’s not being honest with himself when he says he wants to lead a normal life.

We saw that most recently with his office job at Cannon Capital, where he was horrified at Nadja’s murderous interference until… it kept getting him promoted.

So, it seems Guillermo is a protagonist who proves that he doesn’t have to be an actual vampire in order to act like one.

Watch What We Do In The Shadows Online

Main Character Patient Zero

Main Character Syndrome has also been known to afflict actual main characters, as seen in the recent ret-con of Carrie Bradshaw as the iconic symbol of that term.

Although that’s perhaps not news for many fans of Sex and the City‘s original run, who have always considered Samantha Jones its true star.

The conceit is that while it’s not ideal to act like the world exists only to be the backdrop for your own life, it’s worse to act like that about the world of your own show.

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Carrie’s self-absorption was always kind of her thing, though, and Miranda called her out on it MANY times (yes, before And Just Like That…, Miranda Hobbes had some serious sass).

However, the tipping point seems to be when other characters are treated like background scenery, not people who also have their own lives in this fictional world.

Watch Sex And The City Online

Back in the “real” world, there’s a character on that teakwood Titanic fever dream we call Doctor Odyssey who would definitely not make room for you on that floating door…

Avery Morgan, Doctor Odyssey

On a ship that’s full of shenanigans, you could strive to be the calm that you’d like to see. Or, you could be Nurse Avery Morgan and add as much drama as possible to the proceedings at every opportunity.

Avery (Phillipa Soo) is extremely competent and super prickly. This sadly reinforces that dynamic where the guys can be fun-loving professionals while the women only get to scowl and keep them on task.

However, Avery is pretty much a sourpuss all on her own. She’s fantastic at her job and wants to be a doctor but resents how long and hard she’s had to work to pay for every step of her education so far.

Avery hates the ship’s over-the-top theme weeks, as well as the passengers and their stupid, predictable ailments.

She REALLY hated Plastic Surgery Week and told the cruise line’s owner as much, which got her fired (don’t worry, it didn’t stick).

Avery’s obviously talented but is so bored in her current position that it makes her dangerous.

She’ll stick to a possibly incorrect diagnosis a beat too long just to antagonize her new boss, Dr. Max, and alternates between encouraging fellow nurse Tristan’s crush on her and cutting him down.

And in quite possibly her worst crime, she does not attend strip poker night with the rest of the crew!

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It was hard to see all this initially because Avery’s angelic features, intelligence, and calm demeanor read as “good.”

But after she rejected Tristan, Avery got jealous when he became interested in a new chef and tried to create problems for them.

Avery is busy enough with medical school on the horizon and a kinda-sorta love triangle with Dr. Max and Tristan.

But she still found time this season to get appendicitis during a once-in-a-lifetime storm and almost had to amputate a woman’s arm in a cave.

Avery is an experienced medical professional who deserves her place on this elite ship’s team. However, she also lashes out in self-destructive ways.

Anchors away!

Watch Doctor Odyssey Online

Liz, Shrinking

For a gentle hangout show, Shrinking has many seriously frustrating characters. But none can come close to meddling next-door neighbor Liz (Christa Miller), an unstoppable force of annoying nature.

In the show’s first season, Liz threw herself into helping a widowed husband and devastated teenage girl stay afloat as they all dealt with loss differently.

A hyper-organized empty nester, Liz had tons of free time and the certainty that she was always right. She took on that role a little too well and became a smothering presence for the grieving family next door.

It’s easy to see why her husband, Derek, cheerfully spends his days away and just goes along to get along when he’s home. Liz is sharply funny and intelligent, which almost makes you like her until the next overstepping thing she does.

Liz’s controlling nature was tamped down in the second season. Her better qualities were allowed to shine with all the characters, and she even went into business with Sean and his food truck.

Then she sold her half of the food truck to Sean’s semi-estranged father without telling Sean first.

And… we’re back! To Season One Annoying Levels of Liz!!

Liz is not subtle about her advanced case of Main Character Syndrome. She sees her fellow characters as projects she can improve and doesn’t listen if they don’t want help.

Watch Shrinking Online

Take Two Aspirin

Self-involved protagonists have long been a TV staple, even if it does seem like there’s more of them than usual.

But it’s true that good shows rely on bad characters, so Main Character Syndrome could be responsible for much of the great television currently on television.

What’s your take on frustrating TV protagonists: Love them or leave them?

Let us know in the comments!

Watch Shrinking Online

The post Main Character Syndrome: When TV Protagonists Are Actually The Worst appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Maybe the movie will give The Penguin writers a chance at redemption for all the crap they pulled, letting him worm his way out of the most impossible situations.

Honestly, I hated The Penguin Season 1 Episode 8 in so many ways, but I’ll admit — it was also one of the best episodes of the entire series. Weren’t they all, though?

This series felt too short, but in a way, it was the perfect setup for Batman 2. Brilliant, really.

Sofia was so close. And while it’s infuriating that she couldn’t take down the King of BS, there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing that Oz made a huge mistake by keeping her alive.

He might think he’s sending her to a living hell by throwing her back in Arkham, but he clearly hasn’t considered Selina Kyle — or the fact that Batman’s still out there.

Seeing Sofia receive that letter from Selina made me giddy. Plus, Dr. Rush is still at Arkham, which is another win for the Queen.

My first thought? Being back in Arkham might be the perfect setup for Sofia to meet more villains she could rally to finally finish off Oz.

But the way it’s turning out is even juicier.

Why? Because we know Selina Kyle — aka Catwoman — orks with Batman. And that final shot before the credits made it clear: Batman is back.

You’ve got to wonder if Selina has been keeping tabs on Gotham for him. There has to be a reason why she decided to contact Sofia — especially now.

Sure, we don’t know what the letter said, but it definitely put a smile on Sofia’s face. Did Selina confess that she wanted Carmine dead but that Batman stopped her?

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There has to be more to it than just “I wanted Carmine gone and oh, I’m your sister.”

This could mean that Sofia won’t turn into a supervillain, like I thought she might.

I’d been toying with the idea that her Penguin-esque outfits hinted at her taking over Oz’s persona, but maybe this is even better.

Sofia doesn’t need to become some twisted villain. She can stay true to who she is and fight on the side of good.

Ever since her brother’s death, she’s made it clear she didn’t want to be a criminal — I’ve said it before. She was always going to leave that to Maroni.

What Sofia wanted was simple: revenge. Kill Oz and move on with her life. I honestly believe she planned to leave Gotham after taking him out at the airport.

But now she has a chance to take down Oz the right way — because let’s not forget, Batman didn’t let Selina kill Carmine. And I can see him, along with Selina, having that same influence on Sofia.

Sofia could channel her rage into something meaningful, creating a satisfying arc.

She could help put Oz away for good and focus her energy on making Gotham better, much like she did before Oz ratted her out to Carmine.

Of course, she has plenty of hurdles.

She blew up a big chunk of Crown Point in her attempt to kill Oz, taking innocent lives in the process.

And let’s not forget Bliss, the drug she introduced that’s wreaking havoc on Gotham, and the cause of all this mess.

While her rage may have been misguided, there’s still hope for redemption.

Batman is the last person to judge anyone, and while he serves justice from the shadows, Gotham owes him a massive debt.

Sofia could serve in her own way too, even if public redemption isn’t in the cards. It’s going to be a tough sell after everything, but maybe that makes her redemption even more powerful.

I also think it’ll help when the truth about Oz finally comes out.

This nutjob thinks he’s going to be Gotham’s savior, with the backing of his corrupt councilman friend and Gotham’s underworld. Especially Gotham’s underworld.

Let’s hope there’s no easy out for Oswald Cobb.

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What did Sofia call him? “Oswald Cobb, the Man of the People”? It’s the delusional dream of one of the most delusional characters on TV.

And let’s not forget — he’s a f***ing rat, exposing himself as the classic mob snitch. A rat is a rat is a rat as the saying goes.

Like most rats in mob history, he’s lying and manipulating his way out of being held accountable for his own crimes.

And, naturally, his councilman buddy is using Penguin’s lies to prop himself up, selling the people of Gotham on his so-called commitment to justice.

Sofia, meanwhile, is just a stepping stone on his twisted yellow brick road to higher office.

It’s an almost perfect mirror of real-world organized crime: rats rat, and when a prosecutor scores a big conviction against a mob boss, they use it to boost their own careers.

Rudy Giuliani is just one example (and there are plenty more) of those who rode the backs of high-profile convictions, ones that may or may not have been just, purely to climb the power ladder.

And in the end, how often does it turn out that they’re as corrupt as the very people they locked up?

But I digress, because there’s so much more to Oz’s twisted story.

His whole “have and have nots” speech in The Penguin Season 1 Episode 7 was a prime example of people getting sucked into the delusions of a megalomaniac.

Idiots — And I mean stupid f***ing idiots — believing in something so blatantly absurd simply because they feel slighted or underrepresented.

They don’t realize until it’s way too late that they’ve chosen the wrong side, backed the wrong person, and invested in a cause that was going nowhere.

And what happens? It all comes crashing down, because they were so tangled up in a delusion that they didn’t notice the poison in the Kool-Aid they were drinking.

Vic never had the chance to wake up from that delusion, unfortunately, and it was painful watching him give Oz that absurd pep talk in the hospital, stroking his ego.

I still don’t understand how he couldn’t see what was right in front of him.

Maybe it’s the stupidity of youth? I don’t know, but he learned his lesson way too late — and Linc and the rest of Oz’s followers are on the same path.

Oz is basically the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz: a little man hiding behind the curtain, with nothing but an overblown ego to keep him convinced he’s powerful. Think about that for a minute.

At least Francis knew the real Oz, but shame on her for not handling it.

She didn’t have to let Rex kill him, but she could have stopped him through proper channels.

Instead, she created the monster — just like Sofia said. Stroking his ego, encouraging him, all while despising him.

Why did she do it? Because he was bringing her nice things? Yes. And that selfish thinking was detrimental to herself and everyone around her. What a hypocrite, right?

And what’s she getting out of it now? Nothing but a life sentence in her own mind.

She’ll spend the rest of her days in a hospital bed, a prisoner to Oz, because he’s not going to grant her final request to end her misery.

Why? Because he’s selfish, and she taught him that by never holding him accountable for what he did to her boys.

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Usually, I don’t like blaming parents for their kids’ actions. But in this case, she fed the monster, and that is on her.

As for Eve — what the actual f**k is she thinking?

Dressing up like Oz’s mother and stroking his ego, giving him the twisted affection he always wanted from Francis?

That’s some seriously demented s*it. I get that she’s probably afraid of him, but seriously? You’re gonna stand up for your girls but you’re not gonna stand up for yourself? GTFOH poser.

Of course, maybe there’s a twist. Maybe she’s working with Batman or Selina. It was pretty clear she wasn’t exactly thrilled to be dancing with the nutjob, so I hope there’s a good reason behind her actions.

No matter how you feel about Oz, Sofia, or any of the other characters on The Penguin, you’ve got to give props to Matt Reeves and the entire cast and production team.

This was one hell of a series, and I’m genuinely sad to see it go.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of The Batman movie. It felt too long, too bleak, and leaned a bit too hard on Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy.

But this series? It had a different vibe entirely.

And I can only hope that the same tone and intensity carries over to Batman 2 (including the perfect use of Nirvana songs, like About a Girl — one of my favorite Nirvana songs of all time — when Sofia was burning down the Falcone mansion).

And of course, I want Sofia to win.

She’s hands-down one of the best new characters to come out of the 2024 TV season.

Dare I say it? Yes, I will. Because she absolutely did: Cristin Milioti outshined Colin Farrell in this series.

Over to you, TV Fanatics! What are your thoughts on the season finale of The Penguin and the series as a whole?

Are you looking forward to Batman 2? How do you think the storyline from the series will play out in the movie? Hit the comments and share your thoughts!

Watch The Penguin Online

The post The Penguin Season Finale Review: A Great or Little Thing appeared first on TV Fanatic.

We love engrossing ourselves in riveting narratives about the darker side of human nature.

Experts have devised numerous reasons why it captivates audiences, from loving mysteries to feeling accomplished from a closed case to general intrigue to wanting to understand the human psyche to just being fascinated by evil.

Regardless of why we crave these stories, we are always looking for the next fix, so here are the most mesmerizing true crime docuseries of 2024.

Unsolved Mysteries – Volumes 4 and 5

While not every single episode of Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries (a reboot of the original NBC Unsolved Mysteries series) is crime-based, the majority are, and the rest may leave you feeling more uneasy than any true crime story could.

Just watch The Mothman Revisited episode in Volume 4 of the show.

As for true crime, Volume 4 covers Jack the Ripper, a husband who found his wife dead in their basement, the discovery of an unidentified severed head in Econmy, PA, and the unsolved murder of a Trenton State College graduate student on the theatre’s stage.

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For Volume 5, the first episode is about two friends who are shot dead and found in a popular Cleveland park, but the creators decided to go with paranormal activity for the rest of the season, discussing a profile of a paranormal researcher, the phenomenon of mutilated cattle, and the Roswell UFO incident.

While these cases may not be solved, their mystique is varied and captivating. Of course, the “who did it” never coming to light is a common reason for the lack of resolution, but we also wonder why, how, and even who surrounds the victim.

Watch Unsolved Mysteries Online

I am a Killer- Season 5

The latest season of I Am a Killer focuses on the disturbing cases of convicted murderers while in prison.

What makes this show so fascinating is how it tells their stories. Its intimate style consists of interviews with the prisoners, the victim’s family or friends, and/or the criminal’s family or friends.

However, the latest season of the Netflix original felt a little different in the best way possible. It focuses more on the psychological factors behind these crimes and how the act of murder or being in jail has changed, or not changed, the prisoner.

You can tell who is a true sociopath, who is lying through their teeth or feels no remorse, who is self-centered, and who genuinely feels guilty and sorry for their victim’s family.

One gripping aspect is that you hear these accounts from the criminal’s perspective, and you start feeling or thinking one thing, but then hearing the victim’s family or friends’ interviews leaves you with a completely different attitude.

The latest season features the story of an inmate who claims to have turned his life around, but not everyone believes him, a young couple looking to run away, which results in the death of the boy’s grandmother and the killing of a store clerk by a 16-year-old.

It also shares the murder of a bar worker through an inmate’s rage, a man convicted of killing his grandmother, and the story of a prisoner who claims it was self-defense against a rival tribe, but eyewitnesses tell a different story.

Watch I Am a Killer Online

House of Horrors: Secrets of College Greek Life

Anyone familiar with the Greek life system understands the basics of how it operates.

But what happens when the dark secrets of these organizations are brought to light? A truly binge-worthy A&E true crime docuseries with an ending episode that needs to be talked about more.

It’s extremely interesting to see how something that, really, at the end of the day, is only “important” for four years of your life and then basically forgotten about can control, manipulate, and ruin the lives of young people who it claimed as “family.”

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Whether you want to hear it or not, yes, sororities and fraternities are cult-like. Maybe not all are upfront about it, but the concept behind their creation and how they operate are.

Each episode tells a story of how the secrecy, power, and control of fraternities and sororities can create a sinister atmosphere, leading to a skewed reality where everything from drug use to sexual assault to hazing deaths to the deep-rooted racism at the University of Alabama has thrived to an unbelievable capacity.

Watch House of Horrors: Secrets of Greek Life Online

Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter

This true crime docuseries is a two-part retelling of a driven mom who wants to solve the mysterious murder of her daughter she put up for adoption as a baby.

Part of the enchantment comes from the idea that this mother never knew or had contact with her daughter after giving her up for adoption.

In 2010 she received a letter asking for DNA from the police in hopes of trying to identify a woman’s body who was brutally murdered. While the body was not her daughter’s, this sparks a truly shocking search of her own as she then learns her daughter ran away from her adopted parents at 14 and was never seen again.

Hitting home to her own story as she also ran away, she knows the police won’t look for her daughter because they didn’t look for her.

How she goes about her investigation with the help of her husband and an online investigator with so much fierceness and motherly instinct, as well as the details revealed at each step, is touching and compelling in a way that is hard to put into words.

The spiritual connection between a mom and daughter who never met and the story’s outcome make this docuseries one of Netflix’s most alluring true crime retellings.

Watch Into the Fire The Lost Daughter Online

Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult

Similar to other careers that lean into the more creative side of the brain, becoming a professional dancer who can solely live on the beautiful art form alone is very hard to come by.

Here enters Robert Israel Shinn, cult leader and master manipulator. Shinn takes advantage of young TikTok dancers with massive potential and offers them a spot at his “agency,” making all their dreams come true.

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At first, everything seems fine, but as stranger things are asked of them, some of the dancers start to realize there’s something very off about the situation.

The story is told through personal accounts of dancers who ended up leaving the cult/agency, plus from the family of a girl who is clearly beyond brainwashed. Sadly, there seems to be no hope of bringing her back to reality.

The infatuation with this series comes from how TikTok seems to be the center of many social media crimes and how Shinn entices these dancers.

Along with how he keeps them and convinces them he is doing what is best for them despite the crazy practices he instills, abuse, and noticeable financial exploitation.

Like most cults, the followers are told their families are bad for them and are coaxed to cut them out of their lives because, you know, cult leaders don’t want their manipulated minds to realize what is going on, nor do they want the media to know.

The way the story is told through first-hand accounts and the family of prominent TikTok dancing sisters gives the docuseries an edge that makes it hard to stop watching.

Watch Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult Online

The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping

The Program is a docuseries that needs to be watched to understand why it is one of 2024’s most mesmerizing series. It is unbelievable, and trying to describe it would almost be offensive to the victims of the featured disciplinary school.

When teens acted up, not that long ago, the answer was sending them to these “troubled teen disciplinary schools and camps,” which were not educational or helpful in any way.

Instead, it created a thriving industry that exploits and abuses children, and it has proven to be hard to take down, given the numerous documentaries surrounding it.

The Program’s emotional rollercoaster will have you crying, feeling sick, and wanting to hug the men and women who were forced to go through a heinous experience that has left many with understandable PTSD.

It is gripping and revealing in a tragic yet beautiful way and has a realness element beyond comparison.

Directed and narrated by a former Academy at Ivy Ridge student, she tells her and other’s stories and films them in such a way that makes you feel as if you are also trying to grapple with the trauma caused by the academy.

Watch The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping Online

The Real Murders on Elm Street

Thanks to Discovery, ID (Investigation Discovery) is home to some of the finest true crime docuseries, and The Real Murders on Elm Street is no exception.

The Max streamable series tells the story of six murders in small suburban towns across America that all happened on different Elm Streets. These deaths tear communities apart and show that evil doesn’t discriminate based on quaintness.

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It starts with an episode titled Killer in the Walls, which takes place in Townsend, Massachusetts, and what unfolds is precisely what the title implies, and it is bone-chilling. It’s followed by a horrific murder in the Spokane area, which describing as overkill would feel like an understatement.

The show’s basis, actual murders on Elm Streets, is enticing, and the unimaginable narrative adds another level of eeriness and enchantment.

The series tackles “the Camp” compound led by Gerald Cruz in Salida, California, whose ideology combined white supremacy and voodoo, followed by the discovery of a body in a trash can during a popular Cincinnati street festival.

The last two stories take place in Minnesota, where a convoluted Thanksgiving missing persons case is full of twists, and in Greenville, Ohio, with the retelling of an actual Halloween murder on Elm Street.

Watch The Real Murders on Elm Street Online

Death in the Dorms

Death in the Dorms Season 2 tells the morbid stories of six college students who died while attending college. Unfortunately, there is something about campus murders that is unsettling but interesting.

Maybe it’s because they are the last place you would think a murder would or should happen, and the tragedy can be pictured by almost anyone who has persuaded a postsecondary education.

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The Hulu true crime docuseries hides no gory detail and includes the victim’s family, friends, and fellow students, revealing how a campus death affects the student body as a whole.

The way it is set up fosters an emotional connection for viewers, leaving an impactful swell of sentiment, making audiences invested.

The schools featured in Season 2 are Jackson State University, Louisiana State University, the University of Miami, Temple University, Binghamton University, and the College of Charleston.

Watch Death in the Dorms Online

American Nightmare

American Nightmare is a true crime docuseries that tells the story of Denise Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, who were tortured and drugged by an intruder, resulting in the kidnapping of Huskins.

This was a very sensational case in 2015 because the details of what the couple underwent were hard to believe, but even more so because, due to some similarities, it became known as the Gone Girl case.

The mesmerizing aspects of this series start with what the two went through that horrific night, then just the disturbingly horrible way the police mishandled this case, how they treated Huskins and Quinn, and how the real perpetrator eventually was caught.

Watch American Nightmare Online

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV

What Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV reveals about Dan Schneider, Nickelodeon, and the company he kept is beyond horrible and shocking.

When I was younger, Drake & Josh, iCarly, The Amanda Bines Show, Zoey 101, and so many more Nickelodeon classics were my childhood. This docuseries is challenging to watch but so unbelievable that turning it off feels like an injustice to the victims.

Not only should the truth be public, but much more needs to be done about the abuse and trauma endured by the many child actors during this time.

It’s shocking that so much was allowed to happen to these children, and the fact that we’re talking about huge names of actors increases the intrigue.

More importantly, it heightens the shock value that not only did this happen but that so many people stood by and let it happen.

Watch Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV Online

American Murder: Laci Peterson

The Laci Peterson murder investigation has absorbed the public for over 20 years now. Anything with that much draw is bound to make a mesmerizing docuseries.

To this day, Scott Peterson, Laci’s husband, insists he is innocent. Although this is not the only docuseries covering the matter, as Face to Face with Scott Peterson was released in August 2024, its interviews with people close to the couple, including Scott’s sister and Laci’s mother, make it something special.

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The enthralling aspects of this case and docuseries are just how convinced members of Scott’s family are of his questionable claimed innocence and how people will take one grain of doubt and hold on to that despite everything else presented.

Of course, we don’t want to think a family member is capable of something so horrible, and these perspectives, plus the detective’s impressive way of presenting the crucial pieces of the case, are truly fascinating.

Watch American Murder: Laci Peterson Online

This is the Zodiac Speaking

Netflix’s This is the Zodiac Speaking gives probably the most notorious serial killer a fresh take, which is not an easy feat considering crime enthusiasts or not; the majority of people have heard of the zodiac killer.

The docuseries is gripping because it features interviews with the Seawater family, who had the suspected man behind the encrypted messages and codes, Arthur Leigh Allen, as a teacher while he was actively killing.

The now grownups perspective is unique, captivating, and bone-chilling.

It’s hard to look away when people are talking about their relationship with someone who they trusted and have fond memories of, who it turns out is strongly suspected to be a serial killer. It’s an infatuating context to give viewers.

There is also a powerful interview with a San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist, who was one of the first people to start suspecting Allen as the Zodiac killer, who also discusses the times when law enforcement almost got Allen, making it fascinating as well.

Watch This is the Zodiac Speaking Online

Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders

Influencers appear to have it all, but the Discovery+ ID docuseries Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders reveals how looks can be deceiving.

There is a dark side to being an influence and an even darker side to the digital communities and social media landscapes where influences get their fame.

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The pace and manner in which these shockingly true crime stories are told are alluring and impressive. Plus, the toxic culture that these communities have fostered and the disturbing situations these influencers found themselves in are unthinkable.

From an outsider’s perspective, we are all curious about what it is like to be an influencer. In retrospect, the concept itself is still relatively new, and the idea that someone can make that much money and gain that much fame from doing what an influencer does is honestly hard to grasp.

So, any true crime docuseries revealing the downside of an influencer’s seemingly perfect life will surely garner intrigue, and the grim revelations are heartbreaking.

Watch Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders Online

Worst Roommate Ever

The Netflix true crime docuseries Worst Roommate Ever has one of the year’s most significant shock values. The stories it highlights are thrilling, ravishing, and effective.

The lengths people will go to, the manipulation, the pure savagery, are mind-blowing. This series can only be described as wild and jaw-dropping.

It is well made and hypnotic because it could be anyone in that situation. It could be you, me, or the average Joe walking down the street. You never know who someone is until you live with them, and that factor alone is hauntingly magnetic.

Watch Worst Roommate Ever Online

Yes, 2024 revealed some disturbingly mesmerizing true crime docuseries.

We hope this list helps you find your next watch.

Let us know in the comments what your favorite 2024 true crime docuseries is.

Here’s to creating new nightmares together!

The post 2024’s Most Mesmerizing True Crime Docuseries appeared first on TV Fanatic.

They’re here to send shivers down your spine and make you rethink how safe you really are.

With chilling tales of real-life horrors, sinister secrets, and the kind of mysteries that get under your skin, these series are guaranteed to make you uneasy.

You’ll come face to face with serial killers who lurk in plain sight, elusive predators who evade justice, and twisted family secrets that unravel into chaos.

Each show dives deep into the darkest corners of human nature, exposing the sinister truths that make everyday life feel a little less safe.

If you’re brave enough to watch, these 21 shows will leave you questioning every creak in the night — and sleeping with one eye open.

Homicide for the Holidays (2016)

Nothing ruins holiday cheer like a murder case, and Homicide for the Holidays digs into grisly crimes committed when everyone’s supposed to be decking the halls.

Each episode uncovers tragic stories that took place during the most “wonderful” time of the year, reminding us that not all family get-togethers end with pie and presents.

It’s a true crime fix that adds a creepy twist to the holiday spirit — just don’t expect to look at your own celebrations the same way again.

Watch Homicide for the Holidays Online

True Nightmares (2015)

True Nightmares takes bizarre true stories that sound like urban legends and brings them to life in twisted reenactments that’ll make your skin crawl.

Hosted by Tom Holland, the king of creepy knows just how to ramp up the dread, sharing tales that could’ve come straight out of your darkest dreams.

From strange coincidences to shocking murders, each episode dives into the kind of weirdness that makes you wonder if reality is even real. It’s a wild ride that’ll have you questioning every “what if” you’ve ever had.

Watch True Nightmares Online

Capturing the Killer Nurse (2022)

Ever wondered how a caregiver can turn into a killer?

Capturing the Killer Nurse dives into the case of Charles Cullen, the seemingly kind-hearted nurse who turned out to be one of America’s most prolific serial killers.

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This documentary doesn’t just lay out the horrors Cullen committed — it exposes the shocking failures in the healthcare system that allowed him to keep on killing.

It’s a terrifying look at how danger can lurk where you least expect it and will definitely make you think twice about your next hospital visit.

Watch Capturing the Killer Nurse Online

Don’t Pick Up the Phone (2022)

If you thought scam calls were just about extending your car’s warranty, think again.

Don’t Pick Up the Phone dives into a bizarre hoax that targeted fast-food workers across America, where an anonymous caller posing as a cop convinced managers to perform humiliating and illegal acts.

This story is so surreal that you’ll wonder how anyone could have fallen for it. But for the people involved, it was horrifyingly real.

It’s a mind-bending look at how easily people can be manipulated by a voice on the other end of the line when they believe they’re speaking to someone in authority.

Watch Don't Pick Up the Phone Online

What Jennifer Did (2024)

What Jennifer Did tells the dark tale of Jennifer Pan, a seemingly ordinary young woman who orchestrated a deadly plot against her own parents.

After years of deception, Jennifer’s lies finally caught up with her, leading her to plan a horrifying murder-for-hire scheme to escape her strict upbringing.

The show delves into the psychological twists and turns that transformed a dutiful daughter into a criminal mastermind, revealing the dangerous consequences of living a double life.

It’s a true crime story that will make you question just how well you know the people closest to you.

Watch What Jennifer Did Online

Dating Death (2022)

If you’ve watched the recent Netflix film Woman of the Hour, then Dating Death is right up your alley — but be warned, it’s even more disturbing.

The series dives into the chilling case of Robert Alcala, the serial killer who once appeared as a charming contestant on The Dating Game in the 1970s.

While he seemed like the perfect bachelor, Alcala hid a dark secret, using his charisma to lure victims while leading a double life.

Dating Death uncovers the details of his horrifying crimes, revealing how someone so sinister managed to evade capture for so long.

It’s a harrowing reminder that the most charming faces can hide the darkest secrets.

Watch Dating Death Online

Wild Wild Country (2018)

Forget what you think you know about cults — Wild Wild Country is on a whole other level.

The series follows the bizarre and captivating saga of the Rajneeshpuram community, led by the controversial guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, as they clash with local Oregonians.

From attempted murders to mass poisonings, the documentary dives into the chaos and violence that erupted as the cult’s influence grew.

It’s a jaw-dropping story that keeps you hooked from beginning to end, revealing the dark side of spiritual movements and the dangers of unchecked power.

Watch Wild Wild Country Online

Sins of Our Mother (2022)

How does a seemingly loving mom end up at the heart of a multi-state murder investigation?

Sins of Our Mother explores the unsettling case of Lori Vallow, whose descent into religious fanaticism led to a series of chilling crimes.

The show investigates her disturbing beliefs and their tragic impact on her family, piecing together the events that turned a devoted mother into a figure of horror.

It’s a haunting story that shows how even the most trusted people can harbor unimaginable darkness.

Watch Sins of Our Mother Online

American Nightmare (2024)

Beneath the surface of American suburbia lies a darker reality, and American Nightmare brings those hidden horrors to light.

Each episode delves into gruesome crimes that happened in seemingly perfect communities, exposing the sinister secrets lurking behind picket fences and manicured lawns.

With cases that range from shocking murders to twisted family dramas, the series pulls back the curtain on a side of America that’s anything but picture-perfect.

It’s a true crime show that will make you question what really happens in the “quiet” neighborhoods.

Watch American Nightmare Online

The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness (2021)

The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness digs deep into one of New York’s most infamous murder sprees, unraveling the twisted tale behind the Son of Sam case.

The series goes beyond the well-known story of David Berkowitz, questioning whether he really acted alone or if a larger, more sinister network was at play.

With conspiracy theories, cults, and chilling evidence, this documentary will have you second-guessing what you thought you knew about the infamous killer.

It’s a dark and captivating exploration of a case that refuses to stay buried — perfect for true crime fans who like their mysteries extra unsettling.

Watch The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness Online

Vatican Girl: The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi (2022)

The disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi in 1983 is a mystery shrouded in conspiracy. The Vatican Girl explores the theories surrounding it, ranging from Vatican cover-ups to organized crime.

The case is as twisted as they come, involving secrets from the heart of the Catholic Church and dark tales that refuse to be forgotten.

It’s a story that goes deeper than your average true crime mystery, delving into some of the world’s most powerful institutions.

Watch Vatican Girl: The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi Online

American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020)

American Murder: The Family Next Door pulls back the curtain on a crime that shocked the world, using social media posts and real footage to reveal the dark truth hiding behind a seemingly perfect suburban life.

This documentary doesn’t just describe the events — it drops you right in the middle of a chilling family tragedy that spiraled out of control.

It’s an unsettling reminder that the façade of normalcy can hide the most horrifying secrets, making you question what you really know about the lives unfolding next door.

Watch American Murder: The Family Next Door Online

Killer Sally (2022)

Killer Sally explores the shocking true story of Sally McNeil, a competitive bodybuilder whose life took a dark turn after a domestic dispute ended in murder.

The series delves into the world of bodybuilding, domestic violence, and the events that led to that fateful night.

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As the documentary unravels Sally’s troubled relationship with her husband, it raises questions about self-defense, justice, and what happens when personal struggles collide with extreme physical strength.

It’s a gripping look at the thin line between love and danger.

Watch Killer Sally Online

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker (2023)

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker starts with the bizarre, captivating story of Kai, the carefree drifter who became a viral hero after using his hatchet to stop an attack.

But behind the internet fame, things took a dark and unexpected turn.

The documentary dives into Kai’s chaotic life, peeling back the layers of his troubled past and the shocking crime that derailed his brief moment in the spotlight.

It’s a wild ride that explores the dangerous and unpredictable side of viral fame, where notoriety can unravel as quickly as it’s earned.

Watch The Hatchet Wielding Hitchiker Online

Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer (2021)

Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer pulls you right into the gritty chaos of 1970s New York, back when Times Square wasn’t a family-friendly tourist spot but a sketchy playground for danger.

The series follows the disturbing crimes of Richard Cottingham, known as the Torso Killer, who targeted vulnerable women in some of the most depraved ways imaginable.

It’s a look at the city’s darker days, where the neon lights couldn’t hide the ugly truths lurking in the shadows.

If you think you know Times Square, this show will make you see its past in a far more unsettling light.

Watch Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer Online

The Night Caller (2020)

The terror that gripped Perth, Australia, in the 1950s and 60s is resurrected in The Night Caller.

This chilling series dives into the horrifying spree of Eric Edgar Cooke, a serial killer who left an entire community paralyzed with fear.

It doesn’t just recount the crimes; it unravels the twisted mind behind them, exploring the psychological darkness that drove Cooke while also shedding light on the devastating impact on the victims’ families.

After watching this, you might just find yourself sleeping with one eye open.

Watch The Night Caller Online

The Real Murders on Elm Street (2024)

Freddy Krueger might be a nightmare from the movies, but The Real Murders on Elm Street shows that real-life horrors have unfolded on actual Elm Streets across America.

Each episode dives into chilling crimes that took place on these infamous streets, from grisly murders to eerie mysteries that seem almost too bizarre to be true.

It’s true crime with a haunting twist, proving that sometimes reality is more terrifying than fiction.

Watch The Real Murders on Elm Street Online

A Crime to Remember (2013)

With its vintage noir vibe, A Crime to Remember takes you back to the most shocking crimes of the past, turning each case into a twisted time capsule.

The show’s haunting reenactments and period details transport you into the dark corners of history, where even the most glamorous eras had a sinister side.

It’s a stylish dive into true crime that doesn’t just tell you what happened — it makes you feel like you’re right there, witnessing the drama unfold in a bygone world that’s as eerie as it is fascinating.

Watch A Crime to RememberOnline

Evil Lives Here (2016)

What’s scarier than a monster? Sharing a home with one.

Evil Lives Here shares chilling stories from people who found out the hard way that their loved one was hiding a deadly secret.

Each episode explores the psychological horror of living alongside someone capable of unspeakable evil, making it a show that’ll leave you second-guessing everyone you know.

Watch Evil Lives Here Online

Dead of Winter (2019)

Winter’s bad enough without adding murder to the mix, but Dead of Winter does just that.

It covers real-life crimes committed during the year’s coldest months, where isolation, snowstorms, and bone-chilling temperatures make everything feel a little more sinister.

Each episode reminds you that some nightmares don’t wait for dark alleyways — they can creep up just outside your door, especially when the cold closes in.

Watch Dead of Winter Online

Invisible Monsters: Serial Killers in America (2021)

This series connects the dots between America’s most notorious serial killers, exploring how culture, crime, and psychology intertwine to create some of the darkest figures in history.

It’s a deep dive into the twisted minds that left a trail of terror across the country, examining how their stories intersect and the impact they continue to have on society.

If you’re fascinated by the psychology behind serial killers, this show will keep you hooked.

Watch Invisible Monsters: Serial Killers in America Online

Watch — If You Dare!

If you’re brave enough to hit play on any of these spine-chilling series, just remember, you’re not just watching TV.

You’re stepping into the darkest corners of human nature, where the line between right and wrong gets disturbingly blurry, and safety feels like a distant memory.

These stories won’t just keep you on the edge of your seat; they’ll stick with you, making every shadow feel a little darker and every creak a little more unsettling.

Because once you confront these real-life horrors, it’s hard to shake the feeling that danger might be closer than you’d like to believe.

So dim the lights, if you must — but don’t say we didn’t warn you. There’s a reason you’ll be sleeping with one eye open.

The post True Crime Shows That Will Make You Sleep With One Eye Open appeared first on TV Fanatic.

His whole “haves and have-nots” speech felt like an attempt by the writers to inject some social commentary, but it didn’t quite fit, even if it aimed to show Oz at his manipulative best.

The message came off as forced, an attempt at depth that didn’t really land in the gritty world of high-stakes crime. After all, these are crime lords, not low-level street thugs.

Sure, Oz loves to play the mastermind, but do any of these crime lords actually think his plan will work?

If they do, they’re in for a rude awakening because the only thing guaranteed is a bloodbath.

The only one I see making it out unscathed is the head of the Triads. He’s probably just playing along to stay close to the action and gather intel.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he spills everything to Sofia and Sal — because let’s be real, Sofia is the real brains (and brawn) behind the Gigante/Maroni partnership.

If she loses this war, I’ll be shocked.

Sofia is making allies without even trying. Take Eve, for instance. The fact that Sofia didn’t just blow her away says a lot.

Eve knows now that Sofia isn’t someone to mess with and that she’s not prone to impulsive violence like Oz.

When Eve basically called Sofia the Hangman, you could see the spokes turning in Sofia’s mind: should I kill this bitch, now — or later? But Sofia kept her cool, and it spoke volumes about her state of mind.

She’s in control and knows how to keep it together.

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She’s also got a knack for getting the men around her to do her bidding. Case in point: handing Sal a golf club and letting him tear apart Oz’s apartment.

It’s almost too easy for her. BDSM, anyone? (Hint: it’s all about control.)

Dressed to Kill

There’s something intriguing about Sofia’s wardrobe choices that I can’t quite put my finger on.

On The Penguin Season 1 Episode 5, she wore a white jacket while in her mother’s closet and then pulled out that fur coat. Later, in the crypt with Viti, she had on a black outfit that had a sort of “Penguin-esque” vibe.

And in this episode, she sported a feathered coat. It might be nothing, but I have a feeling these choices are more than just fashion statements.

But back to business.

So, will Sofia kill Vic and Francis? It would definitely push Oz into a murderous rampage.

At first, I thought Oz was the one standing in the doorway watching Vic dance with Francis, which would’ve been a disaster.

You could see how much it bothered Oz when Francis called Vic a “good boy.” There’s definitely some jealousy brewing, and Vic seems to sense it.

That’s likely why he tries to talk Oz up in front of Francis, but it won’t matter much if Oz starts to suspect that his mom favors Vic over him.

Then again, it might not make a difference at all.

As it turned out, Sofia was in the hallway, and I doubt she’ll show Vic or Francis any mercy (though I could be wrong).

Francis practically has a death wish at this point — asking Oz to kill her and then letting him put makeup on her was a whole level of creepy. Their relationship is a dysfunctional mess.

And then there was that moment when Francis called out for Rex.

Wait, were Oz’s brothers Jack and Rex? Does that mean Rex was Francis’ lover, and they had a son named after him? Or was she calling for someone else entirely?

I’m still scratching my head over this one.

There’s definitely something more there — maybe Oz’s so-called admiration for Rex Calabrese is more about deep-seated jealousy than anything else.

Point of No Return

Vic taking out Squid was both surprising and not.

He knew he had to handle his own problems because Oz isn’t always there for him, even when he pretends to be.

Oz is all about Oz, which is why Vic didn’t even bother bringing up his concerns about Squid again.

But it was a powerful moment when Oz recognized what Vic had done just from the look on his face.

Vic’s breakdown afterward — crying out, “Why did you make me do this?” — was telling. Was he blaming Squid, or was it aimed at Oz?

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At the end of the day, Vic is responsible for his own actions. He could’ve gotten on that bus with his girlfriend and left Gotham behind, but he chose this path.

Sympathy for him? Not so much.

Now, with Sofia in the mix, what will Vic do? Will he try to protect Francis, or will he give in and side with Sofia?

Or maybe Sofia will decide to take them both out. Considering she didn’t kill Eve, despite knowing that she was Oz’s alibi for Alberto’s murder, there’s a chance she might spare Vic and Francis.

But if Sofia lets her compassion get in the way, it could be her downfall, as I’ve mentioned before. She can’t afford to hesitate, especially after what Oz did to her brother. That might be the deciding factor in whether Francis survives.

Oz’s Ego Trip

Oz is completely delusional if he thinks people will remember him fondly. Sure, they’ll talk about him, but not in the way he imagines.

His twisted belief that he’s somehow “helping” Gotham by pushing drugs shows just how warped his thinking has become.

And speaking of drugs, how did those mushrooms manage to grow so fast after the fire? I thought for sure they’d be contaminated. I guess we’ll just roll with it.

As for Mork & Mindy (yes, that was funny), they might be a formidable duo, but Sofia is the one Oz needs to stop underestimating.

She’s dangerous in ways Oz can’t even fathom, and I can’t help but feel like he’s going to end up on the losing end — again. His ego will be his undoing, no matter how brutal he gets.

Over to you, TV Fanatics!

What did you think of the “Gold Summit”? Are Gotham’s crime lords making a big mistake by siding with Oz?

Will Sofia take out Francis and Vic? And what did you make of Oz’s speech about the “haves and have-nots”?

Let us know in the comments below! If you haven’t yet, check out our The Penguin roundtable discussion and join in on the conversation!

Watch The Penguin Online

The post The Penguin Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Gold Summit appeared first on TV Fanatic.

But in an ironic twist for a show named after a flightless bird, the death toll really soared in The Penguin Season 1 Episode 4.

We said goodbye to some well-liked characters (“beloved” would be an overstatement for anyone on this show), and the groundwork has been laid for an all-out war between Oz and Sofia.

TV Fanatic writers Thomas Godwin and Tyler Johnson sat down to discuss the episode, the shocking deaths, and what comes next for Sofia Gigante and her former driver.

Check it out:

We said goodbye to some relatively big characters (Nadia Maroni, Johnny Viti) on this week’s episode. Is this show dispatching major players a bit too quickly, or do you like knowing that anyone can go at any time?

Thomas: I was a bit disappointed by Johnny Viti’s sudden departure. I thought that would be an interesting dynamic, especially after his empathetic speech.

It would have been interesting seeing him play second fiddle to Sofia and watching him grow in a role unfamiliar to him. Then she blew his head off and I spit out half my NOS and scared my dogs.

Tyler: It’s been a while since a show has so wantonly killed off well-developed characters portrayed by relatively famous actors. It’s bringing to mind the heyday of Game of Thrones, which is never a bad thing.

And thinning the herd in this way really helps keep the focus on the key three — namely, Oz, Sofia, and Vic. But at the same time, the varied cast of idiosyncratic bad guys (and gals) was one of my favorite things about this show, so I’m a little sad to see so many interesting characters kicked to the curb so abruptly.

I’d be worried if I thought the writers were setting up a long-running series and had plans to introduce new characters in order to replace the not-so-dearly departed.

But I’m more and more convinced that this show will be a one-and-done limited series (that was always the plan, but networks often change their plans these days), so maybe paring down the cast ahead of the final episodes is a smart move.

What do you make of the relationship between Sofia and Dr. Rush? Does she finally have someone trustworthy in her corner?

Thomas: I don’t know. He’s creepy to me. Seems awfully soft and maybe a touch sadistic to be someone Sofia can depend on. He’s that dude with the creepy white 1990s Dodge van with “free candy” sloppily finger painted on the side.

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Tyler: Yeah, there’s definitely something creepy about the good doctor. I’m usually dismissive of fan theories when it comes to this show, as the writers have made a point of subverting expectations thus far.

But there’s a lot to be said for the idea that Rush will turn out to be the Scarecrow. And hey, if that happens then he might turn out to be Sofia’s most powerful ally!

What do you think of Sofia’s decision to adopt her mother’s maiden name? Obviously, names are of major significance on this show and in the world of comics in general. Do you think the new moniker signals a shift in her character?

Thomas: I think it does. I mean, who wouldn’t? If my dad shipped me off to the local nuttery so he could hide the fact that he hung my mother, I’d probably change names as well.

Tyler: What’s in a name? Well, in the worlds of both gangsters and comic books, a lot! As Lisa Babick pointed out in her review, Sofia’s new name links her to Vincent Gigante, another mob boss who was the subject of mental health speculation.

And of course, when a denizen of Gotham changes their name, it’s usually an indication that they’ve entered a new phase of heroism or villainy. Perhaps it’ll be a bit of both in Sofia’s case.

It’s also worth noting that “Gigante” translates to “giant” or “gigantic.” Oz and her other foes might want to run and hide while they still can.

What about Sal’s escape from prison? Was it too far-fetched, or has this show earned that level of dramatic license? What does his freedom mean for the war between Oz and Sofia?

Thomas: Sal’s escape was, at least to me, the most cheesy thing I’ve seen on The Penguin.

I did my time in the Marines. You don’t take a shiv to the gut (all the way to the hilt, I might add) which probably plunged straight through his bowels and potentially the liver, bladder, kidneys, or spine, and suddenly overpower a perfectly healthy corrections officer, escape, and fail to seek any kind of medical attention.

He’s leaking his own feces into his bloodstream now, and I feel like they just needed an excuse to saddle Sofia with another untrustworthy partner and keep the Maroni family gig running. Sure, it’s fiction, but come on…

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Tyler: Yeah, that scene struck a sour note with me, which is a shame, as it was such a strong episode otherwise.

Sure, it’s a comic book show, but it’s also taken pains to maintain a certain level of realism up to this point. To throw it away with that scene when it would’ve been so easy to write a believable prison break for Sal just seems odd to me.

But hey, maybe it’ll all be explained later on.

Let’s talk shrooms. Oz is still trying to become the king of Gotham’s underground (literally), while Sofia is laser-focused on wiping out her enemies. Is Oz setting himself up for disaster with his quest to become the city’s top fungi guy?

Thomas: I love the throwback to Batman Returns with the whole underground lair thing. I also think the “plot hole” going around online (with The Penguin and Batman rubbing shoulders in the tunnels beneath Gotham) is no biggie.

Oz is at rock bottom. There’s only one direction he can go from here. Penguins can’t fly and all, but that direction is definitely up.

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Tyler: It seems like the show wants us to believe that Oz has drastically underestimated his opponent and is now literally in over his head.

That might be the case, but with three episodes remaining, there are certainly quite a few twists to come.

I think Bliss will end up having major plot significance — possibly in connection with the aforementioned Dr. Rush/Scarecrow theory. But I’ve learned not to try and predict this show. In fact, the only thing I’m sure of is that I have no idea what’s in store!

Over to you, TV fanatics? What are your thoughts on this wild episode?

Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts!

Watch The Penguin Online

The post The Penguin Season 1 Episode 5 Round Table: War Comes to Gotham appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Well, it could be as simple as comparing the style of Stanley Kubrick to that of David Fincher. One is in love with emotional turmoil, and the other paints vivid images of realistic terror.

Psychological horror is not about catch and release — the formula of most horror thrillers. Most horror films you can think of fall into the cozy genres of suspense thriller (Silence of the Lambs), psychological thriller (Jacob’s Ladder), or slasher (The Strangers).

You’re outrunning Art the Clown, Michael Myers, or Freddy Krueger when you watch a thriller.When you watch a psychological thriller, you’re figuring out a mystery in real time with the protagonist.

You’re figuring out the horrible truth of your fate, like Grace in The Others, or uncovering a diabolical plot, like in Chris in Get Out. But when you’re watching psychological horror, you are held hostage by a directing/writing team that is taking your mind on a roller coaster to Hell.

Psychological horror is purposely not formulaic or about escaping a single monster.

Usually, the “monster” or the conflict of the film is escaping the madness that surrounds you, whether you’re being held hostage by a madman or if you feel yourself going mad. Psychological horror revels in influencing psychological states in the viewer.

Directors create feelings of high tension, paranoia, and confusion, leaving the viewer exhausted – but eager to finish the story. You’re eager to be released from the distressing atmosphere that has captivated your mind.

Psychological horror explores our emotional vulnerabilities and may even reveal buried parts of the human psyche that we work so hard to repress.

With that said, here are 15 psychological horror films to watch on streaming this month to better understand this fascinating and, unfortunately, rare genre.

15. John and the Hole (2021)

John and the Hole is a slow, cautious dip into the deep pool of psychological horror movies. It’s not too intense but slowly unravels a disturbed plot of epic family dysfunction. 

It’s ideal for beginners who aren’t interested in gore but in Hitchcockian thrills from a movie classic.

Bonus points for starring Michael C. Hall (Dexter), who gets to play the victim instead of the perpetrator for a change. 

Watch John and the Hole Online

14. The Birds (1963)

Speaking of Hitchcock, while Psycho was one of psychological horror’s first blockbusters, The Birds is even better on a second viewing. It’s not just man vs. crazy man conflict — it’s man vs. forces of nature. 

Hitchcock treats flocks of birds as a paranormal menace, perhaps reminding us how fragile we are as a species if you’re going just by numbers.

The fact that the mystery of why birds are attacking humans is never fully explained only makes it a prime example of psychological horror. 

Watch The Birds Online

13. Mother! (2017)

Darren Aronofsky may be the loudmouth “bro” of psychological horror. Requiem for a Dream bashes you over the head with assaulting images, like a demonic afterschool special about the dangers of drugs. 

Black Swan was also a trippy vision of beauty gone awry. But Mother! is his most ambitious and polarizing project to date.

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Darren gets biblical with a surreal and allegorical film about a couple living in a Victorian mansion who open their home to a stranger — and all the chaos that follows. 

I watched the film with a crowd of moviegoers expecting a suspense thriller. You can imagine their horror and frustration when the film gave them the exact opposite of a believable story. 

Watch Mother! Online

12. Blue Velvet (1986)

One can’t create a list of great psychological horror films without giving one shoutout to David Lynch, the impenetrable genius who hates explaining his films – and apparently hates finishing most of his films, for that matter. 

Mulholland Drive is an entire series recklessly crammed into a two-hour movie, while Eraserhead might as well be Lynch’s biopic. But he never surpassed Blue Velvet, deceptively his most linear film, which also makes no logical sense. 

Blue Velvet, like all of Lynch’s films, is a dream. It’s a surreality that evokes visceral emotion and perhaps repressed feelings in the viewer. Lynch has admitted that his films come from his own phobias, experiences, and feelings. 

Blue Velvet has no redemption or heroic plot line to latch onto. It simply assaults the viewer like a  Rorschach painting designed to prick your conscience. 

Watch Blue Velvet Online

11. Christine (2016)

Movies that do the unthinkable and attempt to empathize with a person slowly losing their sanity are hard to watch. Most mainstream movies follow a tragic villain who turns their wrath on society. 

Movies like Christine, which follows a tragic protagonist who is only violent towards herself, are unnerving. The film follows real-life news anchor Christine Chubbuck hours before her 1974 suicide on live television.

It feels like watching an accident you see coming but are powerless to prevent. It’s a new kind of arthouse psychological horror, which mixes elements of shockumentaries and tearjerkers with the usual descent into madness. 

The film was so revolutionary it inspired a much more successful trauma flicks to come…

Watch Christine Online

10. Joker (2019)

Someday we’ll forget the debacle of Joker: Folie à Deux, and remember that the original Todd Phillips’ film was a psychological horror masterpiece.

The iconic film delved into incel culture and zillennial counterculture, (safely explored through the lens of a 1981 DC alternate universe. 

Joaquin Phoenix explores the perspective of a domestic terrorist who, in his own mind, has every reason to snap and rebel against what he sees as a corrupt and heartless society. 

With so many Oscar-winning Joker performances, isn’t it a shame Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson weren’t also recognized? 

Watch Joker Online

9. Audition (1999)

I avoided Audition for the longest time, as I tend to postpone slasher movies full of mindless gore. But Audition, while disturbing to watch, is a clever hybrid between psychological horror and adrenaline-pumping thriller. 

Director Takashi Miike’s horror film has some element of catch-and-release. It tells the story of a middle-aged widower who meets a “model” through a fake casting call audition who turns out to be a violent psychopath. 

It seems like one of those situations where the guy’s kind of asking for trouble, doesn’t it? Amazingly, the film was both called feminist and misogynistic upon its initial release because of the psychological and physical damage we’re forced to witness.

Like many Japanese horror films, Audition’s horror comes from an intuitive place, a parapraxis of our worst nightmares where we always pay dearly for our mistakes. 

Watch Audition Online

8. The Lighthouse (2019)

Seeing formula horror films like Oddity or Caveat might scare you off the idea of visiting an isolated island. Why, of course, terrible monsters and insane murderers might lurk there. 

But with a film like The Lighthouse, the horror comes from swallowing your fears and actually going on an insane adventure on an isolated island with a possibly mad sailor. 

Experience for yourself the backbreaking work of a lighthouse keeper, the autophobic atmosphere, the starvation, the hallucinations, and the agony of being in close quarters with someone you can’t trust. 

The film feels like a terrible hallucination thanks to the Academy-Award-nominated cinematography by Jarin Blaschke and veteran horror movie actors Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, who take turns having Shakespearean meltdowns. 

Watch The Lighthouse Online

7. The House That Jack Built (2018)

Director Lars von Trier is one-half auteur, one-half internet troll, who seems to enjoy getting under your skin. Particularly if you’re American and believe cinema should be enjoyable. 

His films are simulated trauma, with Dogville being his most accessible and Anti-Christ being his most unhinged. But The House That Jack Built is Lars at his nihilistic worst. Perhaps it’s no coincidence he released this film in the same decade as our true crime podcast obsessions began. 

He unromanticizes America’s love affair with violence and antisocial behavior by exploring the mind of a serial killer who considers his crimes works of art. But rather than emphasizing gore or chase sequences, he fills the two-hour film with philosophical discussions and some dark comedy. 

It’s the type of film that’s even more disturbing than Terrifier (which has gone strangely mainstream lately) because it has no rules, no comfort zones, and no comfortable formula to stick to. 

Watch The House That Jack Built Online

6. Late Night with the Devil (2024)

Though Late Night with the Devil is set in the 1970s and staged as one of those “Lost Media” YouTube urban legends, its manic energy is distinctively 1990s.

Talk show host Jack Delroy, your basic Ed Sullivan or Jay Leno clone (played by creepy-looking David Dastmalchian), decides to toy with evil in a shameless ratings stunt for his show Night Owls.

He invites psychics, conjurers, and a cult survivor on his show, all the while Jack tells Carson-esque jokes, lightening the mood.

As the night proceeds from strange to downright horrifying, we see Jack slowly become unraveled by the chaos he has unleashed.

What’s most satisfying about this psychological horror parody is how they use the character Carmichael Haig, aka Carmichael the Conjurer, as a “paranormal foil.” Carmichael is a skeptic who pokes holes in all the supposedly paranormal events, reminding the audience that everything has an explanation.

The foil character allows the movie to increase and decrease tension throughout the two hours, keeping things unpredictable and with terror on a slow boil. Inevitably, Carmichael sees more than he bargained for, but by then, it’s too late.

Talk show host Jack Delroy has one more unexpected guest to entertain before the night ends — and it’s too “hot” for primetime.

Watch Late Night With the Devil Online

5. Possession (1981)

Possession is probably the worst horror movie to watch if you enjoy movies like The Exorcist, The Omen, The Conjuring, or other thrillers about demonic possession. 

It’s not about that. In fact, you may scratch your head, wondering exactly what it was about by the time the credits mercifully roll. On the surface, the film begins with a man who notices his wife is acting strangely right after asking for a divorce. 

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But Possession, directed by Andrzej Żuławski and starring a young Sam Neil, is a tour-de-force madhouse exploring themes of insanity and irrationality. This gonzo meditation on personal congruity makes director David O. Russell seem slow-paced in comparison. 

Watching this movie will make you feel insane or as if you’ve been locked in a trance for two hours and are just now waking up to a world that makes sense again. 

Watch Possession Online

4. V/H/S Series (2012-2024)

It may seem unfair to choose the V/H/S series — a mainstream horror film franchise — to single out among so many other B-flicks. 

But what I’ve always found fascinating about V/H/S is that it follows no real blueprint on how to make a monster movie. It’s an anthology series within a movie that doesn’t explore characters or even familiar plots. 

Its premise is intentionally abstract and usually inexplicable. Using the “found footage” style of filmmaking, the viewer is forced to watch atrocities and horrific vignettes that defy explanation. 

No narrator is needed, and no story is ever resolved beyond the big “snuff” finale you’re unfortunate enough to see.

Over the years, the series has explored a variety of psychological terror scenarios, from alien kidnappings to Greek Gods in the flesh to crazy cults performing supernatural feats. 

With V/H/S Beyond (2024), we get more mad shenanigans, continuing the series’ grotesque sense of humor, from skydiving mishaps with UFOs to giant birds attacking police officers. 

No one is safe here, and the more nonsensical the plot, the more we shriek. See this one on Shudder right away and binge-watch more found footage scares than you can handle.

Watch V/H/S Beyond Online

3. X, Pearl, and Maxxxine (2024)

Ti West’s multi-generational horror trilogy is a bizarre experiment, following actor Mia Goth playing multiple roles and, in some cases, the same character as different ages. It’s remarkable how easily each film leads into the next one, whether by flashback or jumping forward. 

However, the real terror is watching Mia Goth’s performance as an unhinged woman who is so desperate for love that she becomes a menace to everyone she encounters.

Her performance peaks in the second installment, “Pearl” (which is actually the first storyline in the trilogy), where she progresses from naive Texas farm girl to full-blown psychopath with hardly a change in tone. 

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Her performance as Pearl has transcended the slasher genre by presenting an unconventional and disarming villain. She’s not just mad in the sense that she could kill you. She took the time to make out with a scarecrow first because she’s utterly delusional, and her violent psychosis is just a symptom. 

It takes some effort to watch the trilogy since no service has all three movies. But it’s worth the investment to see one of the modern era’s best psychological horror movies. 

Watch X Online

2. Girly (1970)

Girly (sometimes known as Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny, and Girly) is a 1970 psychological horror and dark comedy that very few moviegoers have heard of — probably because the film is just plain nuts.

Based on a two-act play called “Happy Family,” Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny, and Girly tell the story of an insane family who lives in a secluded manor house in England. What better way to amuse themselves than by forcing visitors to play a violent role-playing game that inevitably ends in death?

This is one of the best examples of psychological horror in that the audience is held hostage along with the protagonist character, who can’t seem to talk his way out of danger. The family takes on the antagonist role and torments the protagonist slowly, getting inside his mind before finishing him off. 

The movie may well have started the genre of “dangerous families” terrorizing unsuspecting visitors. 

What’s even more strange, however, is the rumor that Girly (as it’s known in the United States) influenced Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. There is a parallel axe-swinging scene that ends with the character hacking through the door panel and exposing his face to the victim. 

Stanley had over ten years to take inspiration from this disturbing film and create his own “Here’s Johnny!” interpretation. 

I’m glad you brought up Kubrick, by the way, because we do have to talk about Kubrick…

Watch Girly Online

1. The Shining (1980)

Before Stanley Kubrick began work on The Shining, he decided he wanted to make a Stanley Kubrick film that happened to be in the horror genre. After Barry Lyndon’s disappointment, he wanted to make a commercial movie that just happened to be artistic and avant-garde…

If you work through the layers, of course. 

He auditioned numerous horror books, most of which he hated, until finally settling on a Stephen King novel about spousal abuse and going insane in a haunted hotel. 

Of all the plausible conspiracy theories about The Shining that we’ve heard, here’s the most interesting one. 

Kubrick suckered a young Stephen King into lending him his idea so that, as he always did, Kubrick could paint over it with his own literary allusions, Freudian terrors, and historical context.

Kubrick also made sure he had full rights to change the source material and that he could hire a screenwriter to pervert the original story. 

Novelist Diane Johnson, who wasn’t excessively fond of King as a writer (“It’s not part of great literature…one has less scruples when destroying it: one is aware that a great work of art is not being destroyed”) rewrote the film to appease Kubrick’s violent minotaur sensibility. 

The result is a film that alludes to everything while confirming nothing. It’s a movie made to provoke discussion with purposely chosen symbology and yet with a stubbornly literal plotline. 

What can’t be denied is Kubrick’s love affair with haunted cinematography.

He was a metaphysical Spielberg, a technician behind the camera but one who also knew how to unnerve his audience with sight gags, strange sound fluctuations, and erratic storyboarding. 

The Shining wasn’t focused enough to be a true horror thriller, but it was an exercise in bringing an abstract feeling of dread to life. He wanted his audience to feel what it was like to see a ghost in real life or to have a premonition of something terrible happening and see it come true. 

Perhaps he understood that in psychological horror, the scariest part is what you don’t see and what is not explained. Our confusion adds to the feeling of terror because we’re not familiar with the threat – only that it’s no longer safe. 

So, he filled this labyrinthine world with hundreds of riddles, superstitions, and links to the past.

He never explained it because he wanted our paranoia about the film to grow over time. What was unsaid was the creepiest part — what you felt was more important than the psychoanalysis. 

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The opposite of psychological horror is relief — waking up from a bad dream. Kubrick’s films are about staying in a dream that never ends and seeing horrific things in the dark that may not even be there. 

Kubrick didn’t say much about the explanation of his films, but he did speak about The Shining’s themes and what he imagined psychological horror to be. 

“There’s something inherently wrong with the human personality. There’s an evil side to it. One of the things that horror stories can do is to show us the archetypes of the unconscious; we can see the dark side without having to confront it directly.”

Watch The Shining Online

What do you think? What are the best psychological horror films you’ve ever seen? 

The post 15 Great Psychological Horror Films on Streaming Right Now appeared first on TV Fanatic.

In one swift move, Sofia obliterated the old regime and claimed the throne that her father had promised her when she was a young girl.

But her reign isn’t just about power — it’s about redefining who she is by honoring her mother, Isabella, with a new family name: Gigante.

It’s a significant choice for the writers and one that carries weight, particularly with those who know their mob history.

Vincent “Chin” Gigante, a real-life boss of the Genovese Family — the so-called Ivy League of New York’s infamous Five Families — was known for feigning madness to dodge authorities.

Dubbed “The Oddfather” by the press, he would wander the streets of Greenwich Village in a bathrobe and slippers, drooling all over himself as he mumbled incoherently.

One of the wildest stories about him is the time the Feds went to serve him with a subpoena and found him naked in a bathtub, holding an umbrella.

So, the parallels between Sofia and Gigante feel intentional.

Sofia’s donning her mother’s fur coat is perhaps a subtle nod to Gigante’s bathrobe, and the umbrella imagery ties back to Penguin lore in the Batman universe.

And just like Gigante, who was far from crazy, Sofia might not be as unhinged as she appears.

She’s playing a long game, ruthless and strategic, but there’s a sense that she’s walking a fine line between brilliance and madness.

Ruthless Moves and Strategic Alliances

Sofia’s plan to transform the former Falcone empire into her new Gigante family showcases her strategic brilliance.

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Viti served his purpose by gathering the remaining Falcone associates, but Sofia never intended to keep him around. The moment he questioned her authority, she shot him in the head without hesitation.

It was as cold-blooded as it gets, sending a clear message to everyone at the table: Join her or die.

Sofia isn’t just shaking things up — she’s offering her crew a bigger cut of the pie, — an offer they couldn’t refuse (couldn’t resist that one). But unlike Oz, she’s actually delivering.

Oz may promise his team the world, but he’s a manipulative liar who never means what he says.

Sofia, on the other hand, genuinely wants to build something different, though it doesn’t feel like she’s in this for the long haul.

Her alliance with Sal Maroni serves two clear purposes: to find Oz and eliminate him.

There’s deep-rooted distrust between the Falcone and Maroni families, but Sofia has already proven to Maroni that she’s serious.

Sal is fully aware of what Carmine did to her, and there may be some sympathy there, knowing that her father played a role in her suffering.

Unlike Carmine, Maroni values family above all else, and he would never have treated Sofia like her father did. Sofia knows this, too, and it’s part of why she seeks him out.

Sofia isn’t afraid to show her cards, though I’m not sure if that’s a strength or a weakness.

Back at the Falcone mansion, she openly admitted to the associates that she killed the entire Falcone family.

It was a mic-drop moment, bold and defiant, cementing her as a force not to be trifled with. She wanted everyone to know she wasn’t playing games and was ready to go to war with anyone who opposed her.

Even Julian seemed proud of her at that moment. What’s his deal, anyway?

Still, Viti may have been right when he tried to dissuade her from admitting that. He knows this world far better than Sofia does, but it doesn’t matter now — Viti is sleeping with the fishes (sort of).

While Sofia’s alliance with Maroni is a smart move, and Maroni might see it as useful in the fight against Oz, it may not play out the way Sofia envisions.

As I mentioned, there’s a chance Sofia doesn’t actually want to rule Gotham’s underworld.

Maybe she’ll pull a move like Gigante, who ultimately dropped his crazy act to save his sons — but in Sofia’s case, she’ll leave it all behind to save herself.

Perhaps Sofia’s only goal is to take out Oz, and once that’s done, she could walk away, leaving the underworld to Maroni.

But Maroni doesn’t know this — at least not yet. Unless she reveals this as her true intention, Maroni likely won’t keep her around for long.

The Self-Destructing Oz

While Sofia is busy building alliances, Oz is spiraling into self-destruction.

He kidnapped Maroni’s son and tried to trade him for those valuable mushrooms, but in a brutal act of ruthlessness, he ended up burning Maroni’s wife and son alive.

Now, with nothing left, Maroni is driven by revenge, while Sofia — essentially an orphan herself — shares the same goal: take Oz down.

Oz is smart but not smart enough. He’s impulsive and reckless, and his empire is crumbling. His constant references to Rex Calabrese should be wiped from his mind because no matter how hard he tries, he will never be Rex Calabrese.

His only allies are his mother and Vic, and even Vic’s loyalty is questionable, even if he lied to Frances about Oz taking down the Falcones.

Vic clearly feels sidelined, especially when Oz kept him out of the action during the double-cross. His motives are still unclear.

It’s hard to understand why he sticks with Oz unless that brief taste of violence from mowing down the Maronis awakened something in him.

Even Eve separated herself from Oz because she’s fully aware he’s not the guy to be seen with right now.

The tunnels play a crucial role in this episode, and they may become Oz’s hiding place once that kid from Vic’s past comes for them — and you know he will.

This could also become the moment when Vic finally sees Oz’s true nature, even if it’s been right in front of him all along.

If anything happens to Frances because Vic made the poor choice of hiding her in Crown Point, Vic will likely end up sleeping with the fishes (there’s no “sort of” this time around).

When Oz returned to the tunnels where he and his brothers used to hang out, he called it a “homecoming.” But there’s something ominous about it, too.

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He hesitated in front of that small door leading to another tunnel passageway as if he were hiding something — maybe even the truth about his brothers’ deaths.

His stories about them keep changing, and I’m willing to bet he killed them — or is it just one brother? Frances’s memories seem to indicate there was only one.

There’s also the possibility that Oz’s hesitation is setting up something bigger — like the appearance of another Batman rogue: Poison Ivy.

The tunnels are dark and humid, making them an ideal environment for the Bliss mushrooms — or even a greenhouse. They also connect to Arkham, where Poison Ivy could be lurking.

Could the show introduce her as a player who takes over the mushroom business, maybe using them as a basis for her poisonous plants?

The mushrooms — even the ones Oz saved — are already contaminated by the fire retardants. If you remember, the chemist from Arkham already said in an earlier episode that they were extremely sensitive.

It’s an interesting thought, especially since Oz is in way over his head with the whole operation, even though he doesn’t realize it yet.

An Explosive Showdown

With only three episodes left, we’re heading toward an explosive showdown.

Will Sofia and Maroni team up to take down Oz? Or will Oz somehow survive despite his growing list of enemies?

He has to make it to The Batman 2, right? But the producers have recently hinted that there could be more seasons of The Penguin, so maybe we’re in for some major surprises.

One twist I’d love to see? Kill off the Penguin.

It would be a bold move, but there’s a chance the Maroni/Gigante alliance could win, leaving the door open for a whole new power structure in Gotham.

At this point, Oz is running out of options.

His moral compass is non-existent, and while that might keep him alive for now, it’s not enough. Sofia is smarter, more calculated, and far more dangerous. I see nothing but doom for Oz Cobb.

Over to you, TV Fanatics. Who do you think will come out on top? Will Sofia and Maroni wipe out Oz, or will Oz claw his way his way out of another mess? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The beloved Max mob drama will deliver a scant eight episodes for its first (and possibly only) season, which is a bit of a bummer.

But we suppose you can’t expect any series to keep up such a breakneck pace forever.

A new trailer for the show’s second season debuted at New York Comic Con this week.

And it looks like the alliance between Sofia and Oz will rather be short-lived.

“So who’s got the power in this city? The Falcones? The Maronis? Why not us?” Oz asks in a voice-over.

“He betrayed me, the daughter of the Falcone don,” Sofia says of her former driver.

“I want Oz to feel pain,” she continues. “I need him to suffer for what he’s done.”

Yes, while the conflict between Gotham’s top crime families will no doubt continue, it looks like the remainder of the season will focus largely on the clash between Oz and Sofia.

And based on the scenes of destruction throughout Gotham, it seems that the battle between these aspiring overlords will take quite a toll.

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The Penguin himself, Colin Farrell, made an appearance at the opening day of this year’s con.

“Human beings want to distinguish themselves until you’re special in a way society says isn’t cool,“ Farrell said of his character.

”He’s had this sense of otherness imposed upon him and made to feel different in all these ways. He was always going to end up losing his mind at some point.

“Ascension into power is a descension into madness that was born of the pain he’s experienced all his life. The power vacuum is such a raw opportunity to rise. The worst thing you can do is laugh at him.”

Well, probably the absolute worst thing you could do would be violently murder him — which is exactly what Sofia promises to accomplish in the trailer.

As we said earlier, it’s not easy to keep raising the stakes week after week. But it looks like the Penguin might manage exactly that.

There was a time when it was tough to imagine where the show could go next.

In particular, last week’s episode — which focused on Sofia’s stint in Arkham Asylum — seemed like it would be tough to top.

But the promise of an all-out war between two of the most compelling characters on TV has us very excited about this season’s second half.

What do you think, TV fanatics? Can The Penguin continue to outdo itself?

Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts.

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