In the fifth episode of Season 1 of "A Thousand Blows," the Forty Elephants uncover the bitter truth that the silver they had boldly stolen was merely a forgery, casting a shadow of dread over Eliza's thoughts as she ponders the retaliatory wrath of the Elephant Boys. Upon Alice's subsequent arrival at work, Lady Grace, her expression a mix of admiration and wrath, informs her that she witnessed her departing in the company of the thieves. Though somewhat impressed by Alice's daring, Lady Grace is incensed by the disgrace she has brought upon their household and issues a stern warning: flee before they subject her to the hangman's noose.
A mysterious man approaches Mary, unveiling his awareness of her impersonation of Lady Farnley. With a chilling tone, he warns her that unless she locates Lao, he will frame her and her girls for the brutal murder of a respected Chinese dignitary. Elsewhere, Lonsdale introduces Hezekiah to a potential new patron for his boxing endeavors, and Hezekiah reveals his ambitious goal: to confront and defeat Buster Williams, ascending to the pinnacle of world championship glory. Peggy, ever the pragmatist, advises that Hezekiah must create a buzz both in the ring and through the media to secure such a high-stakes match.
With merely three nights until his next bout, Hezekiah and Alec find themselves in a race against time to prepare. Alec's frustration bubbles over as he senses that Hezekiah might be squandering his immense talent through insufficient effort. He confesses a poignant truth: he had never anticipated standing on the sidelines, merely a spectator to his friend's triumphant ascension. Yet, Hezekiah reassures Alec with unwavering conviction that their bond is unbreakable, and they will forever stand united, side by side.
Mary implores Hezekiah about Lao's predicament, her eyes pleading as she urges him to reveal Lao's whereabouts, insisting they could aid him together. Yet, Hezekiah steadfastly denies any knowledge, though his words ring hollow; he has been secretly compensating Jack Mac to conceal Lao aboard one of his vessels.
Lonsdale orchestrates a photoshoot for Hezekiah, selecting a jungle backdrop, intent on capturing the very essence of his persona for the press. Alec, fired up by this development, yearns to confront Hezekiah, but Hezekiah restrains him, reassuring that his voice will resound louder in the boxing ring. And indeed it does. In his initial bout, Hezekiah goads his foe, exploiting the man's pride until it becomes his undoing. He triumphs in subsequent matches, his victories devoured by an enthusiastic press.
Sugar, too, secures his maiden victory in the West End, but the polite, scattered applause leaves him unfulfilled. Frustrated, he later confides in Peggy about his unfulfilled desire to face Hezekiah. Peggy concedes that powerful figures are orchestrating their separation for now, fearing the consequences if Hezekiah were to suffer injury or worse at Sugar's hands.
In his next fight, Sugar tears off his gloves, abandoning convention to box his own way, imbuing his style with raw violence. Peggy, disgusted by his brutal tactics, banishes him from her club for good.Later on, Sugar discovers to his astonishment that Treacle has usurped his spot in the tournament. Upon his return to the Blue Coat Boy to resume his battles, he confronts his brother with accusations of betrayal, issuing a lifelong banishment from the pub. In a fit of rage, he sets his regulation gloves aflame, transforming the quiet room into a scene of fiery defiance.
Later that evening, Jane makes her way to Mary's side, her tone laden with severity. She warns Mary that her actions have tarnished their reputation and drawn the formidable Elephant Boys into their lives. Jane urges her to surrender to them and return home, but Mary scoffs at the suggestion, accusing Jane of becoming Indigo Jeremy's pawn. Mary reaffirms her unwavering commitment to her dreams, despite the mounting pressure.
Time is of the essence for Mary; she must locate Lao before tomorrow's deadline or risk losing everything she has painstakingly built. Despite her pleas, Hezekiah remains tight-lipped about Lao's whereabouts. However, he pledges unwavering support, vowing to stand by her side through thick and thin. He confesses that he knew neither kindness nor strength in London until he crossed paths with Lao and Mary, respectively.
Their passion ignites that night, blending into one another in a tender embrace. Yet, as dawn breaks, Mary makes it clear that this will be their only night together. She asserts her independence, vowing to protect herself without relying on Hezekiah's shield. As she prepares to leave, she takes a sip of his liquor, instantly recognizing its origin as Jack Mac's.
Sugar's fury knows no bounds when he catches sight of Mary exiting Hezekiah's chamber. The scene is charged with tension, each character's emotions running high as the narrative careens towards an uncertain future.
The following morning, officers managed to apprehend Lao thanks to the crucial intelligence Mary had furnished them. Subsequently, she sought Sugar's endorsement, upon which he suggested that marrying him would afford her perpetual safety, even shielding her from Indigo Jeremy's reach. He further proposed they establish a sanctuary for those souls adrift in the world. However, she dismissed his proposition instantly, without a second thought.
Assuming her refusal stemmed from Hezekiah's influence, despite her denial of any romantic sentiments towards him, Sugar threatened that without her love, he wouldn't safeguard her or the other elephants. Disheartened by his ultimatum, she left the place without further ado.
Later, a confrontation erupted between Sugar and Treacle over Treacle's treacherous actions. When Treacle scornfully accused him of squandering his time and invoked Mary's name, Sugar lost his temper. In a fit of rage, he assaulted Treacle relentlessly until the latter collapsed, unconscious.
Elsewhere, Hezekiah eagerly proclaimed that he had secured Alec a spot in the upcoming tournament. His impending match held paramount importance, as he was pitted against an adversary who had once stood in a draw with the formidable Buster Williams. He emerged victorious, bagging not only the fight but also the golden opportunity to square off against Buster Williams himself in a fortnight. Tragically, concurrent with this triumph, Alec was fatally stabbed by one of Indigo Jeremy's minions, who had mistaken him for Hezekiah.
Indigo Jeremy then dispatched the murder weapon, the knife used to slay Alec, to Mary. Rushing back to the inn, she was relieved to find Hezekiah still alive. Simultaneously, Hezekiah learned from Esme about the murder of his dearest friend.
