As the episode begins, Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) spots something in the distance. He goes outside onto the farm and finds a note on his scarecrow. It says something about the seeds he sowed. He looks down and finds a bomb at his feet. Charles (Jenson Clarke) comes out of the house to tell his father that he has a phone call. Thomas rushes over and stops Charles to prevent the bombs from exploding. He tells Charles to go inside and practice his violin. The boy does. Tommy goes back to the farm and shoots at the bombs until they all explode. Tommy returns the call from Belfast. Eventually, Michael Gray (Finn Cole) answers and tells him not to believe them.

We see that Michael is being held captive. Captain Swing (Charlene McKenna) speaks to Tommy briefly. She tries to convince him that Michael is a traitor. She wants to know if they should kill Michael or send him home. Thomas tells her to send him home so he can deal with him. Afterward, Tommy speaks with the maid about his plans for dinner and the explosions. Charles enters and shows his father what he learned for the day. Next, Tommy and Arthur (Paul Anderson) go to the pub to meet with Finn (Harry Kirton). They try to talk some sense into him. They explain that he is a general and shouldn’t be involved in the dirty dealings.

Finn tells them that he has found a girlfriend. He wants to get married to her. Arthur isn’t willing to let that happen. Finn tells Tommy that the girl loves the life. Tommy suggests he finds a girl that doesn’t love it like Arthur’s lady. Tommy tells Arthur to be there when Michael arrives on the train. Polly (Helen McCrory) will be there as well. Then, Tommy admits that he isn’t sleeping. When he does, he dreams about someone trying to take his crown. Moments later, Thomas gets a visit from a detective. He asked about the murder of Levitt. Thomas denies being involved in it.

Michael arrives back in town with his wife Gina (Anya Taylor-Joy). Polly tries to convince him to tell the truth. Michael promises that he didn’t betray his family. Arthur emerges from the phone booth. They argue back and forth before Polly tells her son that he’ll be staying at the Midland Hotel. Next, we see Ada (Sophie Rundle) listening to Thomas speak in Parliament. Oswald Mosley (Sam Claflin) seems interested in what they have to say too. Afterward, Thomas and Ada sit down with Oswald. Ada didn’t want to attend the meeting. They want to know how Oswald knows so much about Thomas’ past. He explains that he spoke with May.

Ada believes that Oswald is moving towards fascism. He wants to know where Tommy is going. Thomas explains that he is his own revolution. After a little back and forth about Ireland, Ada convinces Thomas that it is time to leave. When they leave, Thomas tells Ada to go home and begin calling anyone who had dealings with Shelby Company Limited while she was in Boston. After that, Arthur and Thomas prepare to meet with Michael. They agree to put their guns away for the time being. Thomas tells them about his black cat dream. He believes someone is out to steal his throne. Michael enters with his wife moments later.

Michael explains that they needed to find a witness to their marriage. They found a man from Belfast. When the ship docked, Michael was taken at gunpoint. They people told him that Tommy was a spent force and that politics had gotten to him. They wanted to know if Michael wanted a part of it. The IRA raided the place before Michael could make a decision. Michael says that the IRA claimed the gang was a part of the Billy Boys. We learn that the Billy Boys are involved in fascist rallies. Gina is pregnant and that is why they decided to get married. Thomas agrees to believe Michael but not fully. Once everyone leaves, Arthur and Thomas speak about Mad Dog Jimmy coming south.

Moments later, Aberama Gold (Aidan Gillen) and Bonnie (Jack Rowan) are attacked by the Billy Boys. Bonnie is tied to a cross and killed. Aberama is left to tell the story. Next, Arthur and Finn meet with Billy Grade (Emmett Scanlan). He used to be a good footballer. Now, he is singing in pubs. Bill knows people and that could be useful for Arthur and the gang. Billy thanks Arthur for inviting him there that night. Finn is told to explain the nature of Arthur’s proposition. Bill is told to listen or he’ll face consequences. Finn tells Billy to write down a name and number for every football team on the list in front of him.

They want Billy to fix the football matches. Billy is told that he is a Peaky Blinder now. When Arthur returns home, he finds out that Linda (Kate Phillips) has been doing some work of her own. She has written a letter for Arthur and Lizzie has written one for Tommy. Linda says she has stopped drinking. She has disposed of Arthur alcohol as well. Arthur is not happy with the women going behind their backs to come up with a plan. Linda knows about the assassination of Levitt. She believes everything is going to blow up and backfire on them soon enough. Linda has written two letters. She tells him that she’ll have to give him the other one now. Meanwhile, Thomas speaks with Lizzie (Natasha O’Keeffe) about the letter. He has already burned his.

He read it first and that is more than Arthur did. Lizzie has bought a cake that she wants Thomas to have. Thomas tells her that he is in a room with people who are coming after him. He wants them to come get him. The last things he wants is silence. He says that him and Arthur can’t write it down because they haven’t invented the words. She explains that she’ll take his place legally when he is gone. The phone rings so Thomas sends her away. Lizzie celebrates with the kids. Thomas speaks to someone on the phone about the night they met Michael Gray. Arthur gets the letter. A vehicle is heard outside of the Shelby house. Thomas grabs a gun and looks out of the window.

Johnny Dogs (Packy Lee) falls out of the car. He is bloody and wounded. It is Aberama Gold in the other seat. He says that Dogs is a traitor. He attacked him with one arm and a hammer. He tells Thomas about his son’s death. Thomas is given a paper confirming the Billy Boys are in town. Gold tries to attack Johnny Dogs again. Thomas stops him from doing so. He tells Gold that he needs to get his arm fixed. He explains that he needs to get the arm fixed so he can avenge his son’s death. Gold blames Thomas and grabs the gun. Lizzie emerges with a handgun and fires a few shots. She tells them to leave and that includes Tommy. Tommy gets the gun. He tells Gold that he needs to be alive if they’re going to take on the Billy Boys.

Lizzie is told to call an ambulance.

 

Peaky Blinders Review

Man, I love Peaky Blinders. This season? Not so much. I have not been impressed with either episode so far. This one was better than the previous one but it only got good there in the end. There is too much going on and a lot of it doesn’t make a bit of difference. I thought it was lame to bring in the Billy Boys to kill Bonnie. Really? A character that mattered very little. I am still not sure where this season is going. Thankfully, we have a villain now though.

I suppose the Billy Boys are working with Oswald and all that. I also have to comment on the sound effects during the meeting between Polly, Arthur, and Michael. They made my skin crawl. The show did this the last time it had been renewed for several seasons too. The season right after the renewal was terrible and the next two were good. This one might be best skipped if it doesn’t get any better soon.

The episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of Peaky Blinders before you leave!