In the thrilling opening episode of "The Gentlemen," titled "Refined Aggression," we are introduced to Edward, a resolute Border Patrol Agent. Suddenly, he is approached by Ahmed, a loyal servant to Edward's esteemed father. Ahmed urgently conveys the dire news that Edward's father's health is deteriorating rapidly, pleading with Edward to hasten his return home before it's too late.
To set the scene, Edward is the second-born son of the illustrious Duke of Halstead, a man whose fortune ranks among the country's elite. Upon his arrival, Edward meets his father, whose voice is now a mere shadow of its former strength. With deep emotion, the duke beseeches his son to oversee the estate and to care for his troubled younger brother, Freddy.
After the untimely passing of his father, Edward unexpectedly inherited everything - the esteemed title, the vast estate, and the extensive tracts of land. However, the rest of the family would only receive a weekly allowance, the amount of which rested solely in Edward's hands. This news did not sit well with Freddy, the eldest son, who had harbored the expectation of inheriting everything in his father's wake.
In a moment of desperation, Freddy approached Edward, pleading for 8 million pounds to settle a debt he owed to a notorious Scottish crime family. Freddy's life hung in the balance, as the consequences of defaulting on the debt were dire. This unexpected request put Edward in a precarious position, forcing him to scramble for a solution to save his beleaguered brother.
Despite inheriting his father's immense wealth, Edward's financial situation was not as rosy as it might appear. While he was asset-rich, he was cash-poor, leaving him with few options. One such option was the possibility of selling the stately Halstead manor, a prospect that filled him with reluctance.
As the episode unfolded, Susie Glass, a woman with a history of business dealings with Edward's father, unexpectedly came into his life. She revealed a shocking secret - Edward's father had been raking in 5 million pounds a year by allowing people to cultivate weed in the secluded backyard of their estate. This revelation opened up a new world of possibilities for Edward, potentially providing him with a way out of his financial quandary.
Now, as the new proprietor of the manor, Edward stands poised to reap the benefits that come with ownership. However, Edward confides in Susie that he's considering selling the manor to raise urgent funds and repay his brother's debt. Susie assures him that if he reconsiders, she has the connections to negotiate a whopping 50% discount.
Edward's path crosses with Stanley, an aristocrat with a penchant for acquiring historical properties. Stanley expresses a keen interest in purchasing the Halstead manor, claiming it's for cultural reasons. He makes Edward an offer that's outrageous even by aristocratic standards, but when Edward turns it down, Stanley pivots and offers to purchase Edward's prized wine collection. After some hesitation, Edward agrees to the sale for a sum of three million pounds.
Unfortunately, Freddy, with his eyes set on bigger prizes, steals the money to gamble on an illegal fight, hoping to double his fortune. But he falls prey to a cunning scam, losing every penny in the blink of an eye. Once again, Susie steps in to help resolve the mess. However, Freddy's pride is deeply wounded, and in a fit of humiliation, he lashes out and shoots Dixon with a double-barrelled shotgun.
