The opening episode of Gangs of London Season 2 unfolds a year after the dramatic events that left London in a tizzy. Amidst a downpour of relentless rain, the narrative kicks off with high octane intrigue. Two vehicles loaded with Algerians pull over at a secluded spot, orchestrating a daring heist to seize a consignment of firearms. They work with military precision, ensuring no eyes catch their clandestine operation as they whisk the cargo away to a fortified hideout.
Just as they clink glasses in celebration of their coup, a sudden twist rocks their world. A squad of gunmen materializes, their leader a chilling figure donned in a white coat and sporting a mane of silver hair—Koba, a ruthless despot seeking the identity of the arms supplier to the Algerians. Before any words escape the captives' lips, Koba compels one to swallow bullets and shoots the other in cold blood.
The sole survivor is granted freedom, but only to the extent of delivering a dire message to Uncle Basem, the enigmatic mastermind seemingly in charge.
Meanwhile, across the globe in Istanbul, a laundry establishment transforms into a battleground of epic proportions. The action unfolds with cinematic flair, the camera swirling around scenes of brutal, grotesque fatalities. At the heart of this carnage stands Elliot. After dispatching a slew of adversaries blocking his path, the camera pivots to reveal a letter lying discarded on the floor, bearing the signature of none other than Alex Dumani. Forced into servitude to safeguard his family, particularly his father held captive by Miss Kane and her cohorts, Elliot finds himself entangled in a web of coercion.
Ironically, the men slain in Turkey prove to be clients of Alex's. When Alex learns of this grim twist, his displeasure is palpable, yet he is haunted by the specter of Sean Wallace, fatally wounded a year prior, leading to the lingering query: could he still be alive? Indeed, a question worth millions in curiosity and conjecture.
Koba, in the employ of Asif Afridi, attends a gathering that convenes all the London-based gangs, where he issues a stark reminder: from this point onward, the sole vendor of firearms in the city shall be none other than Asif himself. Leveraging his menacing dog as a symbol of his unyielding authority, Asif governs through a reign of terror rather than consensus, invoking the fate of Finn Wallace and the turbulent aftermath as a cautionary tale.
Ed, an inevitable presence at the meeting, later confronts Asif, dismissing Koba as a troublemaker and foreseeing impending conflicts sparked by his overbearing demeanor. Ed, perceiving the looming shadow of war, seeks out Luan Dushaj, a heroin trafficker discontent with Koba's dictatorial stance and forced monopoly under Asif's thumb. Luan is keenly aware that Asif's ambition transcends mere product control, aiming to encroach upon and diminish his profit margins.
In an attempt to broker peace, Ed proposes a deal: in exchange for divulging the source of their firearm supplies, he will secure the Investors' support, shielding Luan from the threats posed by Koba and his allies. Reporting back to Asif, Ed emphasizes Luan's astuteness and awareness of Asif's schemes. Presenting the suggested terms, Asif, though reluctantly, agrees to the arrangement for the time being, acknowledging that Luan is teetering on a precipice while granting Koba a temporary truce towards him.
Outside, Koba awaits in the vehicle, but the air is thick with the scent of impending violence. Suddenly, a red car collides with the rear of his, and as the driver steps out to assess the damage, a bullet pierces his skull. The driver scrambles to safety, leaving Koba furious and exposed in the midst of the chaotic street.
Upon her release from prison, Shannon Dumani collects Danny from school and speeds away, adding another layer of complexity to Ed's already troubled existence. It transpires that the police's handling of her case was woefully inadequate; despite her involvement in the murder of a policeman, the insufficient evidence would have doomed the prosecution's case at trial. Alex views this turn of events as a silver lining, dreaming of rekindling their family bonds. However, Shannon remains resolutely unmoved and unwilling to reconcile.
That fateful night, an unmarked bag materialized on Shannon's front porch, bulging with neatly stacked £50 notes. The passing of Asif's driver cast a dark shadow over their world. Asif, phone clutched tightly, informed Ed of an unyielding zero-tolerance policy against traitors. His voice tinged with regret, Asif conceded his hands were tied, leaving Luan to face grim tidings. That evening, as Luan scanned his monitors, a chilling realization dawned: his security detail had met their untimely end.
Sensing impending doom, Luan ushered his wife and children into the safety of the panic room before rushing to his arsenal. Arriving just in the nick of time, he seized a shotgun, determined to repel his assailants. Led by the elusive Koba, who seemed to vanish into thin air, Luan dispatched each attacker with brutal efficiency, one by one.
Stumbling back towards the panic room, Luan's heart sank as he spotted the door ajar, his daughters weeping inconsolably on the floor. Koba had outsmarted him, seizing Luan's wife as a hostage.
Elsewhere, Elliot made his presence known to Alex, a silenced pistol in hand. Forcing the CEO onto a high balcony of their skyscraper stronghold, Elliot revealed his affiliation with "them," emphasizing that fate had guided his steps. He wasn't there to end Alex's life but to hand over a USB containing damning evidence.Sean had entrusted it to Elliot, who in turn, urged Alex to wield it as leverage against the Investors, potentially sparing their families and freeing them from this perilous web. "You cannot defeat them," Alex declared solemnly before plunging off the balcony, leaving Elliot reeling in shock and uncertainty.
With his best hope seemingly dashed, Elliot pondered his next move. Alex's dying advice echoed in his mind—seek Shannon. Perhaps she held the key to their salvation.
As the episode drew to a close, the camera swept over to Marian Wallace, a figure cloaked in mystery and armed to the teeth. Her alliance with Luan was clear, and she intended to use her arsenal to wage war against those who had wronged her family. The game was officially afoot, and the stakes had never been higher.
