Peaky Blinders: Season 1, Episode 5

 Peaky Blinders: Season 1, Episode 5

September 30, 2014

The penultimate episode of Peaky Blinder’s first season is a fiery episode with gut-wrenching scenes that will stay with you. Paul Anderson takes the limelight this episode as “the head of the family” Arthur Jr. He goes through some intense daddy issues as he tries to prove himself but all for naught. His response is a suicide attempt that will make your heart stop because you feel so much for the guy. That and the tension that builds between Tommy and IRA agent Byrnes who declares to be Tommy’s “judge, jury, and executioner.” This really brings out the best of Cillian Murphy who nailed every scene. Not to mention that Tommy and Grace finally are in love with one another. If I did not know better, I felt like this could have been the first season’s finale as many storylines seem complete, but we still have one more episode to go!

A father comes home! After a decade away from the family, Arthur Senior (played brilliantly by Tommy Flanagan whose scars added intimidation) returns home. Tommy wants him to leave, but Arthur believes he is a changed man. Arthur gives him a small fortune so he can build a casino in America. When he leaves with no intention of being in Arthur’s life, the eldest son becomes extremely distraught. The IRA comes poking around about the stolen arms, so Grace helps Tommy set a trap for them. Grace also confesses her love for Tommy to Inspector Campbell and tells him to leave Tommy alone if she gives up the stolen arms. In response, Campbell proposes a marriage between the two in which they refuse. After Arthur’s suicide attempt, Tommy tries to make things right for him, Arthur, and John by making them partners in a legalized gambling business.

This episode packs a punch. It is very well acted from Murphy, Anderson, and Sam Neill who is great showing jealously rage. The episode doesn’t show much of Ada’s self-exile or Freddie’s imprisonment, but I am sure that storyline will be wrapped up in the finale. The sexual tension that was bubbling underneath the surface between Tommy and Grace finally comes to light. Fantastic episode!

My Grade: A


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