The Penguin

Violence is pervasive, with characters frequently shot, stabbed, and strangled, often accompanied by 'splattering blood'. Specific examples from the first episode include a character being shot in the head twice with visible bloodspray, a dead body being 'dragged around in a bag, thrown down stairs and then tossed into the trunk of a car,' later shown decaying with a missing finger. Another scene depicts a character being stabbed in the eye with a car freshener, showing the sharp object entering the eye with blood spray and gruesome sound effects, before the character is hit and killed by a bus. Torture is also depicted, such as a wire being driven under a character's arm, pulled up to cut the skin, with blood seeping out as the character screams.

Strong foul language is a consistent element of the series. In the first episode alone, there are 'nearly 40 f-words and more than 15 s-words'. Other offensive words used include 'b*tch,' 'damn,' and 'pussy'. This level of profanity is frequent and intense, used by multiple characters throughout the dialogue.

Drug trafficking is an 'integral part of the story' and Oz's primary means to gain power. Oz Cobb is shown in charge of a plant producing a drug called 'drops,' and there's discussion of new narcotics. Oz actively persuades Alberto Falcone, described as an alcoholic, to consume alcohol and drugs. References are made to 'dropheads' (addicts), and characters are frequently seen imbibing alcoholic drinks.

The setting itself is intense, with Gotham City in ruins after a terrorist attack, leading to displaced citizens, deaths, and missing persons. The show maintains a 'grim and gritty' tone where characters constantly face 'untimely demise'. Episode 4, 'Cent’anni,' specifically includes 'significant suicide themes,' featuring flashbacks where a child discovers their mother's death by hanging, with a close-up showing the mother's feet swaying and the child attempting to wake her. Character Sofia Falcone is portrayed as 'off her rocker' and 'chilling and unsettling', contributing to the psychological intensity. Torture scenes, such as Oz being tortured with a garrote wire, are also highly intense.

Oz Cobb's primary motivation is to seize control of Gotham City's criminal element 'by whatever (often violent) means necessary'. This inherently involves significant disrespect for established order. Characters 'only act in their own interests and won't hesitate to hurt and kill others if it serves their agenda,' demonstrating a profound disregard for others. An example is Oz demeaning Alberto Falcone before impulsively murdering him. The series showcases a world where loyalty is fluid, betrayals are common, and personal ambition trumps all societal or moral rules.