Well that was more like it. Last week’s episode of Peaky Blinders felt like the return of a show with much to like, but not quite firing on all cylinders. The second episode felt like a top drama much closer to reaching top gear. Grace continues to enter the thoughts of both Tommy and Campbell, and her departure continues to haunt Tommy. Assuming she returns later in the series (pure speculation on my part), it will be intriguing to see how it affects the duo. The episode keeps up the pace, swiftly introducing Tom Hardy’s gang boss Alfie Solomons and further establishing his main rival, Darby Sabini. Getting Tom Hardy to appear on Peaky Blinders was something of a coup for the casting team, and one that pays immediate dividends. An unhinged rage consumes Arthur too, as he continues to battle Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The war continues to cast a shadow over the lives of those involved, and it is good to see that it has not been forgotten. Paul Anderson handles Arthur’s anguish with intelligent restraint in another solid supporting performance. It may not have been mentioned often in these reviews, but the sets and costumes on Peaky Blinders are truly excellent. They make a huge contribution to the visual feel of the series. The soundtrack, so often the heartbeat of the first series, also comes to the fore once again. The list of artists involved now feels more varied, with PJ Harvey, Arctic Monkeys and The Kills among those to contribute songs. Using a wider variety of artists may be a minor change, but it is a welcome one and gives the series a slightly different flavour than before. Besides that minor grumble, there is so much here to like. Bringing Tom Hardy into proceedings is more than welcome, and the show is back to its gripping best. Read Tom’s review of the previous episode, here. Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.
