The third episode of Season 6 of "Peaky Blinders" kicks off with Ruby being rushed to the hospital in a harrowing race against time. Tommy Shelby, fraught with anxiety, is implored to surrender his beloved daughter to the hands of the medical professionals, who promptly subject her to a battery of tests to unravel the mystery ailing her. The diagnosis shatters the air: Ruby harbors a tubercular infection in her left lung. Fortunately, the doctors' prompt detection offers a glimmer of hope, vowing to conduct further tests in a relentless pursuit to heal her. Nevertheless, there's a grim twist—Ruby must plunge further into illness before any semblance of recovery can be envisaged.
This dreadful affliction stands as a monumental threat, pushing Tommy perilously close to the brink of despair. Haunted by the superstitious belief that this is the gypsy curse come to fruition, Tommy resolves to negotiate with Esme in a desperate bid to salvage Ruby's life.
With a heavy heart, he embarks on a journey to confront the Lee family, specifically seeking out Esme. She, seemingly anticipating his arrival due to whispers of his inquiries, greets him with a mixture of curiosity and foreboding. Privately, Tommy confesses that it was Polly, albeit in the realm of his dreams, who guided him to seek Esme's help. Esme, stunned by the revelation of Polly's passing, reluctantly acknowledges the vast array of adversaries harboring malice towards Tommy, whispering their grief and hatred in the shadows.
To decipher this web of intrigue, Tommy places his trust in Esme, who leads him to a secluded, untamed locale, teeming with unspoken secrets and potential revelations.In Tommy's absence, he entrusts Ada with the challenging responsibility of filling his shoes for the ensuing five days. This mission proves arduous from the outset, as Ada finds herself locked in a verbal sparring match with Diana, Oswald's sharp-tongued wife. The duo exchanges cutting remarks, with Ada more than capable of holding her ground.
Oswald's arrival is met with less than enthusiasm regarding Tommy's absence, but his spirits lift when he learns that Tommy has secured an invitation for both him and Jack Nelson. Ada eventually divulges Tommy's whereabouts and reveals that she has delved into Nelson's past, uncovering the tragic tale of his siblings succumbing to consumption. As the conversation tilts in her favor, at least momentarily, she presents the invitation—an extension to Tommy's residence for a more formal gathering.
Next, Ada strides into Shelby Limited, wasting no time in flexing her muscle and initiating some changes. Arthur has retreated into the safety of the vault, while Ada harbors doubts about Isiah. Determined to put him to the test, she dispatches him to Liverpool to address a particularly damaging leak. It seems that the opium stored at the Salthouse docks has been stolen, orchestrated by a union leader named Haydn Stagg, who has orchestrated the theft by the bucketful.
Ada has imparted precise instructions regarding Ada's whereabouts and the appointed time. Isaih, entrusted with the task, is to accompany Arthur, who has managed a mere ten days of sobriety. Navigating through a warehouse reeking of opium will undeniably prove a daunting endeavor for Arthur. Yet, Arthur's moniker carries significant weight in these parts, and his reputation alone should suffice to stir the pot. As for Isaih, he harbors secret wagers and maintains a composed demeanor when confronted by Ada about his clandestine activities.
Isaih extends an invitation to his cousins from Alum Rock, vowing to safeguard Arthur as they embark on this mission to ruffle some feathers. Arthur, though unsettled, remains steadfast in his quest to locate Haydn Stagg. And indeed, they succeed in finding him.
However, Arthur finds himself vulnerable in Haydn's presence as the latter brings up his addiction, noting how rumors have spread along the canal. Haydn, who has traversed the same path as Arthur, offers him words of wisdom, urging him to "walk as if traversing a flat plain, not a towering mountain." Unfortunately, Arthur takes these words to heart and decides against physically confronting Haydn. Instead, he instructs a frustrated Isaih to depart with him, sparing him any repercussions for his actions. Considering the Peaky Blinders' ruthless nature, this leniency is bound to have severe consequences.
Meanwhile, in the mountains, Tommy is led on a wild goose chase to a graveyard, specifically to the grave of a young girl named Connie Barwell, who passed away at the tender age of seven. Esme believes it is her mother, Evadne Barwell, who has cursed Tommy, timing her vengeance to coincide with Ruby reaching the age of her deceased daughter to inflict maximum pain. The rationale? To make Tommy "understand how it feels."
Tommy loses all composure, desperately seeking to negotiate for Ruby's life, even offering Esme £10,000 to spare her. However, Esme desires gold, arguing that money can fluctuate in value at any moment. And of course, Tommy knows precisely where to obtain it.
When Tommy arrives at the hospital, Lizzie is there awaiting him, fury etched across her face. She points out that Tommy was absent when Ruby passed away... at 5:17 pm.
