Episode 3 of "Gangs of London" kicks off twelve months prior, offering a compelling shift in perspective that unveils the harrowing ordeal Sean Wallace endured during his absence. Sean, miraculously rescued from the brink of death, emerges with a prominent bandage adorning his face and legs barely able to support his weight. He finds himself imprisoned by unknown captors, later revealed to be Singer and his ruthless henchmen. When Sean is coerced into plotting against the Investors, his curt response is unmistakable: "Fuck off," summing up his defiance.
This sets the stage for a relentless cycle of brutal beatings and prolonged confinement, leaving Sean with persistent tremors that still haunt him to this day. Amidst his confinement, Sean waits anxiously for Billy to regain consciousness, tending to him with pills and water. A stunning revelation unfolds: it was Sean, not Billy, who pulled the trigger on Basem in the previous episode. Haunted by this act, Sean is desperate to reach out to Marian, knowing full well that she is in grave danger.
Digging deeper into the past, flashbacks transport us to three months before the present chaos, where Sean's plight begins to take a slightly less grim turn. Inside his cell, he transforms into a figure of resilience, engaging in rigorous physical training—pull-ups and preparations for the battles ahead. He confides in Singer about the necessity of a new world order, a strategy to strike the Investors where it hurts most.
Armed with this newfound resolve, Sean is provisioned with the resources he demands, including a gang to aid his operations. Only under these conditions will he align with their objectives. Among his allies is Lale, a Kurdish freedom fighter confined alongside him, whose intellect and cunning prove invaluable.
Elsewhere, Elliot faces questioning from Koba, who demands to know the identity of the gunman from the previous episode. Elliot mentions Billy Wallace but holds back crucial details, unwilling to hand over more than the meager scrap he has already offered. "You spot any more Wallaces out there, you keep me posted," Koba orders, as Elliot walks away, leaving the guard with mere fragments of the truth.
Marian was stunned to receive Sean's communication, but she swiftly countered with the urgent news that Koba was after her, insisting she had to flee immediately. And wouldn't you know, a helicopter approached, its side adorned with a menacing machine gun. Without hesitation, Marian dashed upstairs to rescue Roze, the infant belonging to Finn's mistress. Through a miraculous survival – one might say, bolstered by the invincible plot armor – Marian managed to evade a hail of bullets and reach the outdoors.
Their driver, Lennie, valiantly distracted the helicopter, drawing it away from the house and enabling the trio to escape into the woods, ultimately returning to the heart of London. This feat was partially aided by Koba's assumption that Marian was deceased. The orchestrator of these events? Sean Wallace. He was also behind the murder of the Somali gang, sending a stark message: Koba's path was erroneous, and it was Sean who they ought to follow.
Lale's gang was more willing to side with Sean, considering Koba compelled them to work for Asif while pocketing a significant portion of the profits. After a harrowing encounter with Merwan and his brother, Sean approached Lale, reminding him of their precarious situation and the need for caution.
With whispers of rebellion looming, Sean decided drastic action was necessary – and time was of the essence. He promised them an abundance of guns and money, reassuring them with his solemn word.
Upon leaving, Sean's trembling resumed as he sat in his car, his focus momentarily diverted. That's when Elliot emerged behind him, a gun pointed to his temple. Outwitting Wallace, Elliot invoked Joseph Singer and suggested they were now allies. Elliot swiftly denied this notion, brushing aside Sean's proposal to unite against the Investors.
On the rooftop, Sean confronted Marian, confessing he had been held captive rather than willingly with Lale. He sought her arms contacts and Finn's fortune, intending to seize control. After apologizing to Marian and mending their rift, he asked Billy to keep watch over him, acknowledging Billy's sharper intellect than he let on. However, Floriana betrayed both Marian and Sean, aiming to usurp the business. But Sean swiftly ended her ambition with a bullet to the head, thwarting her coup attempt.
