Liam Hoofe reviews the season finale of Peaky Blinders season 4…
So, after six short weeks, we bid goodbye to The Shelby Clan once again this week, but rest assured, the Blinders made sure to leave our TV screens with one hell of a bang. Peaky Blinders season 4 has been the show’s most accomplished to date and has easily been one of the finest television shows of 2017. The show is an expert at always leaving us wanting more and ‘The Company’ was in equal parts explosive and contemplative, leaving us with plenty to stew over until the show returns to our screens in 2019.
The episode didn’t take long to get all of its artillery blazing, with fan favourite Arthur being killed off inside the episode’s opening ten minutes, and boy, what a tragic moment it was. Seeing Tommy cradle his fallen brother was difficult and seeing Polly inform everyone as the boxing match unfolded in the ring just added to the occasion.
I wish I could say that I’d seen the episode’s twist coming, that the whole thing was prepared and that Arthur was going to come back and finally put a bullet in Changretta, but I didn’t – I don’t think anybody did. The episode managed to have its cake and eat it here, and the revelation that Arthur was still alive made the episode two for two with its big surprising moments. Changretta has been an excellent character this season, and his death was a fitting one. Having been overpowered in his quest for vengeance, he had been outmanoeuvred by Tommy and his final scene played out perfectly. It was a joy to watch, and it really hammered home how ruthless, and intelligent Tommy is. The nod to Al Capone was a nice touch too, it also implies that the Blinders are much bigger than the small fries they have been anticipated as.
Changretta wasn’t the only character Tommy had to deal with here though, and inevitably, this episode, we had to bid farewell to one of the show’s most beloved characters. Tom Hardy’s Alfie Solomon has been a scene-stealer throughout his time in the show, and his final confrontation with Tommy on the beach was no different. The scene was cinematic in its approach and was a fine example of just how far this show has come. Alfie’s revelation that he had cancer was a surprisingly poignant moment, and Hardy really give it us all on the way out here. The presence of Solomon’s dog really helped add a touch of humanity to the occasion, and it gave Hardy a final few gags to deliver before he was finally put out of his suffering.
What was interesting about this episode, though, was that it felt as if it had finished two-thirds of the way in. By the forty minute mark, Tommy had disposed of both Changretta and Solomon and it looked as though usual service had resumed. The show then made the decision to jump forward three months and we discovered that Tommy still had one opponent left to tackle – himself. After an ill-advised golfing holiday, Tommy spiralled deep into a gin-fuelled crisis and he began to be haunted by memories of the war and his past. Cillian Murphy was exceptional in these scenes, and his exchange with Polly was one of the best pieces of dialogue we have seen from the show this season.
Never one to stay off the horse too long, Tommy informed Polly that he had an idea, and went about setting his new master plan in action. Then, in the episode’s glorious closing ten minutes, we saw Tommy quickly go from depressed former criminal to government informant and Labour MP for Birmingham South. It was a masterstroke of a move and one that presents a whole new world for The Blinders to explore in season five.
Peaky Blinders season 4 was everything we could have hoped for from the show, and a little bit more. It was a shame that we had to say goodbye to Tom Hardy this episode but the whole episode was nothing short of spectacular. Season five looks as though it could take some arriving on our screens, but if it anywhere near as good as this season, then it will be well worth the wait.
What did you think of Peaky Blinders Season 4? Let us know in the comments below, and let Liam know on Twitter @liamhoofe
