As we hit the midpoint of Season 5 of Peaky Blinders, the simmering conflict with the Billy Boys is temporarily shelved, paving the way for the rise of the menacing Mosley to center stage. With the Billy Boys' saga on pause, this episode intensifies its focus on the dramatic machinations surrounding the fascist politician, while the specters of the past haunt both Arthur and Tommy as they grapple to maintain their dominance. A lucrative opportunity looms on the horizon, promising to catapult them back into affluence, but only the passage of time will unveil its ultimate outcome.
At the docks of Birmingham, the Billy Boys arrive to find Tommy awaiting them, a picture of resolve. Jimmy McCavern gripes about the truce's white flag, and despite the palpable tension, Tommy manages, with difficulty, to broker a tentative deal with him, extending an olive branch of accommodation and a temporary sanctuary.
Returning to don his parliamentary mask, Arthur finds himself reminiscing about simpler times before updating Tommy on their ill-gotten gains from rigged sports betting. A Chinese gentleman named Brilliant Chang enters Tommy's pub office, exuding an aura of mystery. As he settles into conversation, a scene unfolds at the bookies where a seductive, enigmatic woman bursts in, enchanting Finn and holding him at gunpoint. A phone call reveals Finn's perilous plight, and Chang, with a nod of acknowledgment to Tommy, admits to orchestrating this as a demonstration of his unwavering attention. He then lights a cigarette, transitioning seamlessly into business matters, presenting a pouch of opium—the purest in Europe. Tommy reciprocates by disclosing the shipment's intricate details and its substantial monetary value.
Gathering the family, Tommy unveils the opium deal. Polly immediately votes against it, but Tommy persists, suggesting they utilize canal boats to hold the opium for a week in exchange for a fortune that could restore their royal status. Arthur voices his dissent too, but Tommy persists, sweetening the pot by proposing that Michael be reinstated to spearhead the venture, offered a generous cut of the profits in the process. This arrangement, Tommy argues, would effectively erase half the debt incurred from Wall Street. The offer proving too good to resist, Polly reverses her stance, and they collectively agree to proceed.At his office, Aberama storms in to confront Tommy, voicing his dissatisfaction with the arrangement brokered with the Billy Boys. Tommy's disbelief intensifies when he learns that Polly is integral to the deal, her role entailing an agreement to marry Aberama—a union that temporarily stalls McCavern's fate. After a handshake sealing their accord, Tommy proceeds to wield his silver tongue adeptly within parliament, garnering the backing of fellow politicians.
Post-conversation, Mosley enters, steering the discussion towards Lizzie, Tommy's spouse. As the fascist baits him, Tommy retaliates, revealing that he has delved into Mosley's clandestine affairs, now privy to his secrets as well. Extending an invitation to Tommy's party, Mosley departs, leaving Tommy to exhale a profound sigh of relief, navigating Mosley's intricate web of duplicity with great effort. On his exit, Tommy slips Mosley-related intelligence to Ada, and then confides in her about the visions that haunt him. Disregarding his medical appointments, Ada urges him to cease his opium indulgence, pleading that he steer clear of her unborn child as he exits.
Polly persuades Michael to abide by the agreement, and amidst the delicate balance between camaraderie and rivalry, Tommy and the Billy Boys consent to a temporary truce, with Tommy scheming to turn the tables in his favor. Returning home, Mosley arrives, where Michael briefs Gina on the pact, emphasizing its potential to reshape their future, hinting at an annual windfall of approximately £1 million.
With minimal preamble, Polly outlines the array of pleasures awaiting Mosley—maids, narcotics, and cognac—all at the guests' disposal. Conversing with Lizzie, Tommy welcomes Mosley, who's irked by the abrupt entrance and the lack of a proper greeting. Tommy swiftly transitions to business, requesting Mosley's signature, which prompts Mosley to remain vigilant. He surmises the party as a sophisticated scheme to uncover his vulnerability, a suspicion he openly communicates to Tommy—his weakness lies in trusting others. As Mosley inks the cheque and retreats to the grand hall, Lizzie offers him a chilly reception, recognizing him instantly from her nights as a nightclub hostess.
Amidst the Blinders' captivated viewing of the ballet at Mosley's residence, Aberama seeks Polly's attention, proposing marriage to her outdoors. She smiles, accepting the proposal, just as a vehicle slowly approaches the mansion. Arthur ventures out to discover Linda's arrival, who trains a gun on him. However, Polly's timely emergence results in her shooting Linda down at the eleventh hour. The thunderous applause that follows masks the Blinders' gaze upon Linda's lifeless body, while Mosley and the others indoors applaud the ballet's conclusion, oblivious to the darker events unfolding beyond the stage's glow.
Stunningly filmed, "Peaky Blinders" continues to mesmerize with its intricate weaving of narrative and artistic mastery. The episode teems with happenings, and the culminating scenes featuring a ballet performance intertwined with Linda's poignant demise serve as a delightful visual flourish amidst the bustling narrative. However, the abrupt conclusion to the Billy Boys subplot leaves a lingering sense of dissatisfaction, particularly for those anticipating an epic street battle in Birmingham. Mosley emerges as a fascinating adversary, arguably the most formidable challenge Tommy has confronted in his life thus far.
There's a persistent niggle that "Peaky Blinders" might neatly tie up its tale and vanquish Mosley, mirroring the fate of all the adversaries Tommy has faced over the seasons. Despite this lingering suspicion, the narrative does an admirable job of keeping things captivating. Polly's bold move to eliminate Arthur's wife stands out as a case in point, undoubtedly one of the episode's most shocking revelations.
What's more, Gina's enigmatic character adds another layer of intrigue. Her knowing glance directed at Mosley towards the episode's end hints at a far deeper conspiracy. Could it be that Mosley is pulling the strings while Gina subtly feeds him crucial intelligence about the family? This episode is rich with food for thought, as "Peaky Blinders" exits with another exceptional installment, one that leaves the door wide open for the remaining episodes of this gripping series.
