As the 5th episode begins, Father Michael Kerrigan (Sean Bean) performs Roz’s funeral. After the ceremony ends, he speaks with Chloe (Lauren Lyle) privately. Chloe admits her mother was never religious. Kerrigan promises he tried his best to talk Roz out of decision. Chloe makes it clear she intends to pay back the money her mother stole from her employer. Next, Michael speaks with Roz’s boss. He explains that he was furious when he first learned about the betrayal. However, he wouldn’t want the money now. He also tell Michael about the pension scheme at work and the lump sum that will be paid out for Roz. Michael promises the man that nothing he said made any difference. Helen’s brother, Daniel Martin (Danny Sapani), arrives outside of her home. He is greeted by her neighbor, Carl McKenna (Ned Dennehy).

Carl introduces himself. He tries to give Daniel flowers to pass to Helen. Daniel refuses and seems uneasy with the man. After Carl returns home, Michael and Helen (Muna Otaru) stroll by. Helen rushes over and embraces her brother. Helen gives her brother a rundown of the actions surrounding Vernon’s death. Seconds later, they hear a knock at the door. Daniel finds Carl standing outside. Carl explains that Daniel’s sons abused him with homophobic slurs. Daniel doesn’t mind and seems to agree with his kids. In return, Carl insists it must be fine for him to call Daniel the N word. That leads to Daniel punching Carl in the face. Michael steps outside and finds Carl on the ground. Daniel keeps everything a secret from Helen. However, Carl gets the police involved. Two police officers visit Helen’s home. They warn Daniel that he could be charged with a hate crime.

Michael refuses to give a statement at the time. He explains that a lot of people witnessed Vernon’s death, yet not one told the truth about what they saw. Michael visits Carl with a bag of frozen peas. Michael is invited inside. After sitting down, Michael notices a picture of a woman on the wall. Carl explains that it is his mother, who passed away a few months ago. Carl also admits he has not been able to get rid of his mother’s ashes just yet. He rolls a joint, while discussing his own grief. Michael explains his motive for visiting. He implies he only wanted to hear Carl’s side of the story. Carl promises to tell him, as they walk to the local store. Carl tells Michael everything. He admits he spotted Daniel’s homophobia from the very beginning. He goes on to tell Michael about Daniel’s children. Carl explains that he decided to return the favor, after realizing he wasn’t going to get an apology.

The couple stop at a phone booth for another joint. Carl begins asking Michael about his religious beliefs and its impact on his sexuality. Eventually, they return back to Carl’s place. Carl admits he has been sleeping downstairs even since Brenda passed. He also explains the gas isn’t worth the money. Michael offers Carl vouchers for the food bank. Carl realizes that Michael wants him to forget about the assault. Carl agrees to forget everything, if Daniel shakes his hand. Michael takes the offer to Daniel. It is quickly shot down. Daniel refuses to even speak with Carl. That night, Michael goes bowling with his brothers. He comes out on top. Then, he prays with his mother. It is clear that her condition is quickly worsening. The following day, we see a flashback to Michael’s childhood. A woman bangs on the door demanding to be paid.

Michael heads to the church. Then, he receives a visit from Daniel. The men enter the confessional booth. Daniel speaks about the assault and expresses a little remorse. Nevertheless, he is convinced that Carl is a sinner. He also suggests that Carl is a danger to his sons. He explains that homosexual boys are bullied. Michael quickly reminds him that all boys can be bullied. Michael tries to convince Daniel to be tolerant. However, Daniel sees things differently. He says that teenage boys will show no tolerance. He also urges Michael to lie to the police. Daniel refuses to apologize, when he is not sincerely sorry. Chloe wakes up in the morning, as the fire alarm blares in the background. She finds the kitchen filled with smoke and her brother trying to cook. She reminds her brother she is not going to be his skivvy.

The police pay Michael a visit. He calls Andrew Powell (Mark Stanley) and learns that Daniel could be in deep trouble. He also learns about his own rights. Michael manages to avoid giving a statement once again. Then, he visits Carl and tries again to get him to drop the charges. This time, Carl blames Daniel’s attitude on his religion. He blames the church for telling the children that being gay is a sin. He claims that the church has created a circle of hatred. Carl tells Michael that he was instructed to notify the police, if anyone pressured him to drop the charges. Michael pleads with Carl to sit down and speak with Daniel for Helen’s sake. Seconds later, the four sit down together. Michael mediates, while the others chat openly. Carl speaks about his Catholic upbringing and his struggle with his sexuality. Helen ridicules both men.

Eventually, Daniel turns his attention to Michael. Michael is forced to admit that he too once thought he might be homosexual. He explains he felt suicidal at the time. His comments bring the session to an abrupt end. That night, Michael spends time with Bernadette Jenkins (Heidi Roberts). Then, he confides in Peter Flaherty (Adrian Dunbar). Michael admits it would take a miracle to save the situation now. The following day, Michael gets the miracle he desperately needs, when he learns that Vernon’s body will be released. Michael joins Daniel and Helen. They travel to the funeral home and Helen brings along a soccer jersey. Helen is allowed to see her boy. Michael says a prayer for him. At the same time, Carl finally dumps his mother’s ashes into the water. Then, he watches from his window, as Vernon’s body is transported home.

At home, Helen explains why she picked that jersey for her son. She also explains it is somewhat comforting that God took Vernon before her. She admits she was worried how he would grow old without her. She goes on to speak about her relationship with Brenda. Both women had troubled sons, so they had a tight bond. Then, she ridicules Daniel for contradicting her ever since he arrived. Helen explains that Brenda came to her when she was diagnosed. Brenda was worried what might become of Carl without her. She promised Brenda that she would keep an eye on him. Carl arrives at the door. He tells Helen that he has decided to drop the charges for her. Michael visits Carl at home and tells him he has more Christianity in his finger than Daniel does in his entire body. Carl doesn’t accept the praise. He calls Michael a hypocrite.

 

Broken Review

Wow. What a great episode. The decision to pit Ned Dennehy and Danny Sapani against one another was brilliant. Simultaneously, the episode managed to tackle racism and homophobia. We didn’t delve too much into Michael’s past, but that didn’t matter. The episode was humorous, but also very depressing. It was perhaps the first time all season that Michael Kerrigan’s prayers were answered. Many of the characters are not perfect, but it is still easy to sympathize with them and their situations.

This episode proved that Ned Dennehy is undervalued. Why they haven’t used him more in Peaky Blinders is beyond me. The 5th was definitely the best episode of the series. A 9.5 out of 10 is well deserved. Catch up with previous recaps of Broken now.