As the Billy Boys conflict takes a temporary reprieve and Linda finds herself on the wrong side of a bullet's path, we resume our journey into Peaky Blinders this week, precisely where our narrative left off. Arthur, with urgent care, conveys Linda indoors and lays her gently upon the dining table. Her wound reveals itself to be a shoulder shot, prompting Tommy to steady her by having her bite down on a cloth as he expertly extracts the bullet, all the while Arthur urges Mosley to depart with haste. Linda, left to recuperate, finds Arthur beside her, tears streaming down his face in a poignant display of affection.
Elsewhere, Mosley, addressing Tommy's assembled guests, ignites a spark of hope with his talk of opportunity. He unveils plans for a nascent political party, heralding a fresh epoch in politics. His oratory, fueled by passion and resolve, resonates through the applause as he declares that England shall forge ahead, encapsulated by the motto that will embody his party – "Britain First." With growing intensity, he reveals the moniker of this party: The British Union Fascists.
Meanwhile, Arthur, on the brink of desperation, pleads with Linda as she stirs back to consciousness, suggesting they flee together. Yet, she rejects him, her voice tinged with bittersweet resolution, stating that not shooting him was a mercy she bestowed upon him. Arthur, struggling to contain his sorrow, watches as Linda drives away, seemingly vanishing from the Shelby clan's life forever.
The subsequent day, Tommy compiles evidence against Mosley's illicit connections but encounters resistance. Ben, visibly stressed, warns him of potential repercussions, hinting at a demotion following his six-month evaluation due to his involvement with Tommy. Outside, in the confines of his car, Ben opens the letter entrusted to him, his eyes scanning its contents before swiftly returning it to its envelope. Tragedy strikes as he closes the car door; the vehicle explodes, claiming Ben's life instantly and injuring three innocent children.
Tommy, gun in hand, emerges into a world shrouded in dust and ashes, frantically rushing to rescue the children. The weight of grim news crushes him as he prepares to inform Ada of her partner's demise. Adding insult to injury, a ten-year-old child also perishes in the blast. As he retreats to his car, the specter of overwhelming grief threatening to engulf him, he discovers Grace seated in the backseat, an unwelcome reminder of his past sorrows.
Arthur, too, grapples with his pain, drowning it in alcohol as he joins his comrades in anticipation of a shipment from the Chinese by the docks. Their journey into Chinatown unfolds without a hint of the Chinese presence until they are ambushed en route – by the Irish, more specifically, the Titanic Boys. Brandishing an LMG, Arthur strides forth, unleashing a volley of bullets into the sky, his message clear and unequivocal: mess with the Peaky Blinders at your peril.
Arthur, upon discovering the shipment, serves as a poignant reminder to his companions of the true essence of being a Peaky Blinder, while Aberama eyes him with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. The once restrained mad dog has broken free from its chains, unleashing the old Arthur in all his fierce glory. Amidst the shroud of smoke, Tommy trails behind the horse-drawn cart carrying Peter, the ten-year-old boy whose death in the explosion he bears a heavy conscience for. Steering underground and steering clear of the mournful funeral procession, Tommy empties his pockets as instructed and ventures into the bowels of the insane asylum. There, he confronts Barney and unburdens his soul, enumerating the tragic fatalities that have struck his family. With the allure of freedom dangling before him, Tommy propositions Barney to join him in the impending battle, leveraging his prowess as a sniper, to which Barney reluctantly assents.
The episode concludes with Tommy standing by the deck, anxiously awaiting the shipment, as McCavern ponders the feasibility of enlisting Italians to bring stability to the South. Given Tommy's tumultuous past with this faction, the scene escalates tensions as Arthur arrives, gun in hand. A fraught confrontation ensues between Arthur and the Billy Boys' leader, with McCavern's presence at the dock only compounding the uneasy atmosphere. Their conversation segues into a discussion about Barney, whom Tommy has entrusted with the daunting task of eliminating Mosley. Upon the completion of this mission, Arthur and Aberama will be granted free reign against the Billy Boys.
The episode commences with a mesmerizing one-shot scene, setting the tone for a riveting and intense narrative that showcases Tommy's character in a more endearing yet unhinged light than ever before, masterfully portrayed by Cillian Murphy. The cinematography continues to astound, pairing seamlessly with a captivating storyline that solidifies Peaky Blinders' status as a stellar crime drama. While some may have preferred the Italian Mafia-centric arc of the previous season, this season still boasts ample elements to captivate and intrigue. The ultimate resolution remains shrouded in mystery, but with Peaky Blinders renowned for its climactic season finales, next Sunday's episode promises to be nothing short of tantalizing. Bring on the grand conclusion!
