The thought that all hell would break loose at Epsom racecourse looked a tantalising choice of concept for the final episode of Peaky Blinders – and so it proved in a fitting and rip-roaring finale to the second series. Tommy’s highly orchestrated machinations pay off for the Shelbys, appearing to overcome Sabini’s bookies and outsmart him through an uneasy alliance with Tom Hardy’s Alfie Solomons. The one scene Hardy has in the finale, a dangerous battle of wits with Cillian Murphy’s Tommy, is incredibly entertaining stuff. His performance has hardly been one of restraint or nuance, but Hardy has been a great addition to the cast. Considering there are so many characters to juggle and plotlines to wrap up, the story feels streamlined and easy to follow, and that is the hallmark of a top writer in Steven Knight. Not a moment is wasted in terms of furthering the plot, establishing character or mood. Choosing Epsom as the main setting for the episode proved to be a masterstroke. The finale is a feast of noise and visual splendour throughout, making for a great spectacle fitting for a series that consistently makes such a stylistic impact on screen. It really shows off the wonderful set design, costumes and direction that is a hallmark of the series. A strong theme for the episode is the sorrows suffered by the women connected to Tommy Shelby. Be it the heartbreak being suffered by May Carleton and Grace, or the objectification of Polly or Lizzy, these women get a pretty raw deal. All of them are strong characters though, and in a series you would have thought would be dominated by male actors, they make their mark considerably. It is great to see a series like Peaky Blinders give these female characters such a central role in a frantic finale. Considering the hatred Tommy and Campbell share for each other, it was surprising that Polly would be the person to shoot Campbell. Whether he is dead or not is left ambiguous, much like the ending of the first series. Yet it would be an appropriate ending for Campbell that Polly, the woman he forced himself upon in such a disturbing fashion, should be the one to serve him his comeuppance. Polly’s line “Don’t fuck with the Peaky Blinders” has to be one of the most satisfying character moments on TV this year. Kudos to everyone involved in the second series of Peaky Blinders. It gave viewers another enthralling journey into the world of the Shelbys, while continuing the brave visual direction taken in the maiden series. With several plotlines left open for further exploration in the next series, it will feel a long wait until the return of the Blinders. 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.
