Episode 1 of the third season of "Gangs of London" kicks off with a thrilling chase through a serene country lane, where a woman, clutching an invaluable envelope hidden in her purse, flees for her life. Her son, oblivious to the peril that surrounds them, sits innocently in the backseat. As the road unfolds before her, she narrowly escapes a ruthless ambush, with the pursuers' grasp almost closing in. Yet, her ordeal is far from over; the ominous white truck, reminiscent of a classic Korean drama trope, collides with her vehicle, flipping it onto its roof. Amidst the chaos, a figure cloaked in darkness emerges, seizes the envelope, and bolts away, just in time as the car erupts into flames.
Later revelations unveil that this harrowing incident involves Elliot's wife and son, explaining his deeply entrenched involvement in the unfolding saga. In the present day, Elliot has ascended to the pinnacle of his drug empire, meticulously orchestrating the distribution of his wares across London. His cocaine supplies the entire city, but a sinister twist arises when his latest batch is contaminated. The repercussions are dire; numerous individuals, including a formidable Korean dealer, collapse after ingesting the tainted cocaine. Elliot's reaction, a mix of shock and disbelief, suggests his innocence in this despicable act.
Elsewhere, Marian visits Luan, whose nerves are frayed to the brink as he fears betrayal from his son, Sean, who has been incarcerated. Marian, estranged from her son since his arrest, is equally clueless about his intentions. Tragedy strikes when Luan's daughter, Elira, becomes a victim of the tainted drugs that plagued the club. Her untimely demise plunges Luan into a fury of despair, fueling his relentless pursuit of vengeance.
Over 300 lives have been lost across London due to this tragic event, and the death toll continues to climb relentlessly. The authorities, led by London's Mayor, Simone, are scrambling to find a solution, their desperation palpable. However, it's been revealed that the Mayor has a secret vice – she's indulging in cocaine, albeit seemingly unscathed as she had snorted some before learning of the calamity.
Driven by this crisis, the Mayor decides to wage war against the gangs, with Elliot emerging as public enemy number one. His mugshot is plastered everywhere, and she briefs her team on the urgent mission. News of this crackdown spreads quickly, inciting the gangs to convene in secret, determined to uncover the truth behind the Mayor's sudden aggression.
Meanwhile, Marian keeps a clean slate, washing her hands of any involvement and staying silent. She's shut the doors to Elliot, refusing to collaborate with a cop (or an ex-cop, rather), while Lale finds herself under scrutiny from those close to her, particularly Marwen, who comments on her shifty demeanor.
Elliot and Luan venture out to track down the distributors, but they stumble upon CCTV footage of a hooded figure who single-handedly wiped out the entire group. His hood obscures his identity, shrouding him in mystery. Elliot realizes that their shipment was tainted with lethal fentanyl, and this mysterious hooded man could be the linchpin to unraveling the chain of events.
Using the driver's sat-nav, Luan and Elliot trace the shipment back to an amusement park, where Cornelius Quinn and his Irish gang members are hiding. They protest innocence, but Luan isn't buying it. Her trigger-happy response ignites a fierce firefight between the two sides, with Cornelius managing to slip away. Elliot and Luan are left to sift through the caravans for clues, the tension in the air as thick as the fog that shrouds the amusement park.
Elliot discovers a burner phone, its screen displaying a single name: Sean Wallace. As he dials the number, his heart races with anticipation. But Sean, recognizing the caller, abruptly ends the call. This abrupt disconnection, to Elliot, is damning evidence that Sean stands at the helm of the tainted shipments. News of Sean's shadowy alliance with powerful figures spreads rapidly, like a wildfire consuming dry brush.
Ed arrives at Marian's doorstep, eager to unveil a bombshell: he claims to be the culprit behind the tainted cocaine shipments. Whether his confession is a truth or a clever decoy remains a matter of intense debate.
Elliot, driven by determination, makes his way to the prison where Sean is now confined behind bars. The atmosphere is thick with tension as Sean reveals a chilling detail: the driver was not a random target but was specifically chosen to strike at Elliot's wife, a calculated assassination attempt. Sean toys with Elliot's desperation, demanding a heartfelt plea in exchange for the driver's name. But Sean, savoring his moment of power, chooses instead to remain silent, his lips sealed with a sinister smirk as he turns and walks away.
