More – As the opening episode of Sexy Beast begins, Don Logan (Emun Elliott) approaches Gal Dove (James McArdle) with a shotgun. Don tells Gal he really appreciates him doing this. He says it’s time to go. Later, Gal rides with Larry (Kyle Rowe) and Pete (Ricci McLeod). He tells Aitch (John Dagleish) that they need to get in and out. They storm the building and begin robbing the occupants. They bloody the man inside, but he can’t tell them the code to the safe. Once they get into the safe and grab the money, Don asks the man to tell his boss to stop screwing with his sister. At the club, Don is told that should stop them from messing with his sister’s place of business.

They all hang out at the club. Veronica Ames arrives later. When Gal approaches her, she tells him to go home and lead a quiet life. Teddy Bass (Stephen Moyer) speaks to Stan Higgins (Paul Kaye) about their mark, Sir Stephen Eaton (Julian Rhind-Tutt). Teddy says their friend in the son has more info on him. At home, Gal can’t stop thinking about Veronica or (Sarah Greene). Margie (Eliza Bennett) tells Gal that her dad might have more work for him so they can start saving for a house. Gal isn’t interested. He promises that everything will work out. They visit Gal’s family moments later. Ann Marie Dove arrives and gets into an argument before leaving. Maddie (Cally Lawrence) blames it on the rave parties.

Cecilia Logan (Tamsin Greig) tells Don he did a good job at the Terris Arcade. She expects a reprisal though. When Don asks about one of the women, Cecilia reminds him she doesn’t want him touching the girls. Stan might have something for them. It might be something with Teddy Bass. Cecilia urges Don to speak to Gal and convince him to work with someone new. Later, Don and Gal meet Stan. Gal doesn’t want to work with Stan who says this could be life-changing money. In the process, they’ll be able to take down some establishment person who’s been feeding from the public trough for too long. Rocky gets upset because Veronica and the other girls aren’t listening to him. In private, Veronica tells Ricky Sidhu (Nitin Ganatra) how Rocky had changed things around there.

Veronica warns him that she gets many offers and she might have to consider them. Ricky agrees to look into things and consider new partners. Once he is alone, Ricky calls a man to arrange a meeting. Don tries to convince Gal to take the deal. Gal argues that they don’t want to get into bed with guys from Teddy. Don gets upset with the waiter. Gal speaks to Ann Marie (Clea Martin) about driving their mom up the wall. He believes she is on drugs so he threatens to speak to her dealer. Once their conversation ends, Gal returns to Don. He instructs Don to tell Cecilia that they’re thinking about the deal. Teddy and Stan talk about Gal’s decision. Stan says Don is more of a foot soldier. Teddy says next Thursday is their only opening.

He leaves for Spain. Teddy speaks to Roger about the mark. He learns that the McGraws have guaranteed his safety. When Dominic McGraw took over his operation, Eaton brought in many bureaucrats to shut him down. Roger would be in prison if he hadn’t fled to Spain. Teddy is told he’ll have to watch out for Freddie. He is told to send the McGraws a message. Veronica gets upset at work because Mandy is having to do something she doesn’t like. She tells her friend that she won’t be able to use her name if she leaves. Veronica complains that they’ll own the name Veronica Ames. Her man admits he doesn’t want to be a roadie his entire life. Later, Gal and Don see Veronica at the club again. Teddy approaches Gal and Don so they can chat.

They see Freddie McGraw standing nearby. Teddy tells them he can help them get a palace like this but they’ll have to work for him. Gal asks Aitch about it later. Aitch knows there is big money in it, but he wonders if Gal can get his money and get out before it’s too late. He worries that his retirement home will be Pentonville otherwise. Gal approaches Veronica to see if she wants to live a quiet life with him. He sits down with her as she begins telling him about her career. Veronica wants more from life. They talk about Gal’s sister before he says he is a thief. Veronica learns he has a fiancée. Gal tells her why he decided to become a thief. She asks if he trying to become one of the Kray brothers. Veronica thinks it’d be nice to go somewhere far away.

She begins panicking and asking him to leave. Gal agrees and goes. Gal visits Aitch to ask for an alibi. He believes Veronica’s boyfriend is the only reason they’re still not talking. Gal is reminded that Marjorie’s dad has the business and she is gorgeous. What more could he want? Gal admits to Aitch that he wants more. Gal calls Don to tell him he is in. They meet Stan and Teddy who begin telling them about the job. Gal tells Teddy they want to be partners in this. Teddy goes over the details while the robbery is being carried out. After the robbery is successful, Larry fires a shot at a stranger for no reason. Stan tells Don and Gal he is impressed that they pulled it off. He says they’re going to bleed this guy and turn his world upside down.

Stan and Teddy want to know how they’re going to deal with the witness problem. Don and Gal discuss it with Aitch and Larry. Gal insists he’ll take care of it. At home, he asks Marjorie if she ever thinks about getting away from there. She says this is where everything is. Marjorie brings it up in front of Gal’s mom later. Gal escapes and speaks to his father who admits he can’t imagine doing anything besides working at the stadium. Bert (David Kennedy) borrows money from his son. Don tells Cecilia about the witness. She tells him to do it because he won’t get a second chance. Later, Gal catches Don trying to kill the witness so he tries to stop him. Gal puts down his gun before reminding Don that they’re not murderers. When Don prepares to shoot the witness, Gal tries to protect him and says he’ll disappear. Gal manages to help the witness escape.

He claims he saved Don’s life. Don watches him drive away. They share a drink with Teddy who says this job will bring the entire kingdom to their doorstep. He shoots Larry in the head. Gal says he sorted out the problem.

 

Sexy Beast Review

The opening episode of Sexy Beast wasn’t particularly exciting although the premise is interesting as it should be considering this is a prequel to the movie. There are certain promising points that may help this get better as it goes, especially the likes of Emun Elliott and James McArdle. The performances aren’t the issue because Elliott could do great here if he is given room to breathe.

Gal and Deedee’s relationship could get interesting and it must be because a great deal of time was dedicated to it in this episode. The primary issue here is the fact that this episode was very slow and that isn’t going to get better with seven more episodes on the horizon.

Quite frankly, the episode was pretty dull besides the half-minute robbery scene that was over in the blink of an eye. It was trying to cram too much into the first episode to the point that nothing effectively hit the target. If there was supposed to be humor and grittiness here, that didn’t work either.

Honestly, the opening episode lacked oomph leading to an unsatisfying experience incapable of hooking viewers. It scores a 5.5 out of 10. Recaps of Sexy Beast will be available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here. Discuss this show and others at the Reel Mockery Forum.