Peaky Blinders finale: A sensational conclusion to a dull season
After six seasons, Peaky Blinders finally came to an end last night. I must admit, I expected it to be quite a weak ending, given that we already know about the film continuation, but I was pleasantly surprised by it.
*WARNING, THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD*
I’m not going to give you a full recap but the highlights were – Lizzie (Natasha O’Keeffe) finally leaving Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and taking his son with her, the Shelbys foiling the plan to kill them all, Tommy shooting Michael Gray (Finn Cole) straight in the eye – fulfilling Polly’s prophecy – and Tommy’s family home being demolished to make way for affordable housing.
Towards the end, Tommy planned to take his own life – thinking he was dying anyway – but his late daughter Ruby appeared and warned him that he wasn’t sick. He soon realised that the doctor who gave him his prognosis was working for Oswald Mosley (Sam Claflin) and he didn’t have tuberculoma after all. As a sign that he’s changed his ways, Tommy said “peace at last” and decided not to shoot the doctor. He then rode his horse away from his burning carriage – reminiscent of Polly and Ruby’s gypsy funerals – perhaps symbolising the old Tommy is dead.
I must admit, I really struggled to stay interested in Peaky Blinders this season – and the past couple of seasons. The show was at its strongest when the family were together in Birmingham so I increasingly lost interest as the world of the show got bigger and the family went off to do their separate things. I really struggled to keep track of who was who (so many of the men look the same!) and feel captivated by all these business negotiations.
Although this season has been mostly unremarkable, I thought the final episode was a fitting way for the show to bow out and there were plenty of exciting moments, plus another hilarious turn from Tom Hardy as Alfie Solomons. The cinematography was gorgeous in places, Helen McCrory‘s presence was felt, and Murphy is always brilliant as Tommy.
I worried that it would leave huge gaping threads hanging to tease the movie and I’m relieved it didn’t do that. Sure, I have questions. For example: How will Jack Nelson (James Frecheville) and Gina Gray (Anya Taylor-Joy) respond to Michael’s death and their foiled plan? But, that’s not a massive cliffhanger I care too much about. The finale felt quite conclusive (as it should) and like a chapter of Tommy’s life had ended and he was about to turn over a new leaf.
My only gripe would be that the movie was announced before this so you knew Tommy wouldn’t actually die. It would have been so gripping and nail-biting watching him with a gun to his head if you thought he might actually pull the trigger. And Tommy not dying also meant it was quite obvious that Michael was going to be killed off, given the prophecy.
I don’t think a film is absolutely essential. I would have felt quite satisfied if the Shelby story ended here but I’m not going to argue about seeing more of them!