Returning with a bang for its fifth installment, "Peaky Blinders" resumes with Tommy Shelby perched atop the world's pinnacle. However, true to the erratic spirit of the Blinders, this triumph proves fleeting as the Shelby clan confronts the sternest trial of their existence, while Tommy relentlessly battles the haunting specters of his past. The narrative races ahead at a breakneck pace, captivating and endearing, setting the stage with an intriguing and dramatically charged prelude akin to its preceding seasons.
With Tommy securing a parliamentary victory yet still grappling with the demons haunting his past, our gangster's saga resumes in the pulsating heart of London on October 29th, 1929. Galloping across a barren expanse, Tommy steers towards a solitary red phone booth, where Arthur reads aloud a missive from the enigmatic Angels of Retribution. With the letter reduced to ashes, Arthur hangs up the receiver, while Tommy tosses a coin in the air, contemplating his next move.
The scene then shifts across the Atlantic to The Shelby Company's operations in the United States, where Polly oversees business affairs with Michael. Unfortunately, they receive grim tidings—the Wall Street Crash has dealt a devastating blow, causing business to plummet and finances to spiral into chaos. Rather than rushing to London, they hastily pack their belongings and head to the airport, bound for Birmingham.
Meanwhile, Ada storms back home, confronting Finn with stern words following a shootout that leaves him wounded. Tommy, on the other hand, notices Charlie distancing himself amidst the bloodshed and gunfire that permeate his life. As he stands over Dangerous's grave, tears well up in his eyes as he reminisces about the moment he euthanized the horse.
Arthur catches up with Tommy in the countryside, where they first learn of the billions lost in the Wall Street Crash. Tommy's empire begins to crumble as Arthur recounts how Michael was misled into believing the market would rebound. Realizing he clung to his investments rather than cashing out, Tommy appears to snap. He summons an emergency meeting with the Board of Directors for the following day and instructs Arthur to explain to Charlie that sometimes, death serves as a mercy.Amidst the inferno raging before him, vivid visions of Grace envelop Tommy, her embrace a comforting reminder that their love transcends even the fiercest flames. Meanwhile, Arthur initiates the gathering with the crew, sans Tommy, his usual reticence with speeches evident as he stumbles through recounting the crash, meeting with sidelong glances and impatient frowns. Tommy's eventual arrival provokes Linda into a tirade about undisclosed stocks, underscoring Tommy's de facto leadership despite Arthur's official title, which spurs Linda into an indignant exit.
The meeting's specifics remain shrouded, but as the Shelby clan steps into their familiar pub sanctuary, greeted by a sympathetic throng, they soon find themselves alone after buying out the patrons. With privacy secured, familial fractures surface as secrets spill forth. Driven by an urge to capitalize on the stock market turmoil, Tommy endeavors to convince his kin of the need for liquidity, prompting Ada's abrupt departure and leaving Arthur, Polly, and Tommy to deliberate in private, where Ada's pregnancy is revealed.
Transitioning to Tommy's role as an MP, the scene shifts to the House of Commons, a political arena where Tommy navigates with growing adeptness. His eloquent discourse on the stock market captivates Oswald Mosley, who takes a shine to him. Yet, more pressing matters loom as Tommy issues an ultimatum met with hostility. It's a perilous game, yet Tommy, devoid of any qualms about bending rules, is poised to see it through.
In the episode's climactic denouement, Tommy agrees to an interview with a London Times reporter. His piercing gaze bores into the journalist as the latter hesitantly phrases his questions. Aware of Tommy's infamy, the reporter inquires about his criminal past, prompting Tommy to employ his unique tactics to curb further probing. "I'm old-fashioned, Michael," Tommy remarks coolly, a trail of white smoke trailing from his cigarette, "Private lives ought to stay private, wouldn't you agree?" It's a stark, piercing reminder of Tommy's astuteness, effectively silencing the reporter.
Returning to his manor with a purposeful stride, Tommy inquires about a snap election before engaging in an intimate conversation with Charlie in the stables. Asserting that he's not a deity, Charlie responds cryptically, "Not yet." This arrogant exchange mirrors the Blinders' bold actions as they trail the journalist to his hotel and brutally eliminate him. In the world of the Peaky Blinders, disrespect incurs dire consequences.
In true Peaky Blinders style, the critically hailed BBC series once again captures the essence of stunning cinematography. From the opening, sweeping shot of the barren, desolate landscape to the exquisite utilization of lighting throughout the episode, it is undeniable that the scene composition and color palette elevate this crime drama above many others in its genre. The show's signature eclectic blend of rock music continues to shine brightly, with intriguing selections that perfectly complement the action on screen. While plot development is somewhat minimal in this episode, with the Wall Street Crash serving as a backdrop and the enigmatic Angels of Retribution reduced to mere whispers for the moment, the direction of the story remains a mystery. With the groundwork laid in this opening installment, Peaky Blinders leaves the door ajar for a season filled with drama, tension, and unforeseen twists.
