Liam Hoofe reviews the third episode of Peaky Blinders series 5…
Peaky Blinders has never been a show that does things slowly and season 5 is rocketing along at a rapid rate. This week’s episode saw the women of the Peaky Blinders slip into focus and also saw Tommy do a deal with the devil.
Peaky Blinders has always had strong female characters and this week we were reminded of exactly the impact that they have on the men of the show. Arthur is slowly losing his grip about his wife leaving him, Polly briefly reunites with Aberama Gold and Gina, Michael’s new wife continues to be one of the show’s most intriguing characters. Anya Taylor Joy is nailing the role so far and her pregnancy is going to play a huge role in the season as it rolls on.
The highlight of the season at the moment though is undoubtedly Sam Clafin’s scenery-chewing turn as Oswald Moseley. Moseley has lured Tommy into his trap and with the launch of the British Union of Fascists on the horizon, sparks are likely to fly in the next three episodes. Moseley has shown himself as an incredibly smart mover in the last few episodes, are we really to believe that he hasn’t worked out Tommy is working behind his back.
Tommy has enemies north of the border as well and this week we got to see a little bit more of the Billy Boys. The Scottish gang, led by Jimmy McCavern, are gearing up for a war with Tommy and it looks as though the last three episodes are going to have an awful lot to fit in. Aiden Gillen also deserves credit for his work in this episode, Aberama Gold drew the short straw in episode two when his son was crucified but he exacted a measure of brutal revenge this week. That being said, I have a sneaking feeling he is going to bite the dust come the end of the season.
Verdict: Strategy was the season’s most intense episode yet. Tommy has taken on some difficult foes in his time and it looks as though the rise of fascism may be the biggest and most exciting one yet.
Liam Hoofe
