Written By Ben Murchison
Hopefully by now everyone understands that they should have binge watched Peaky Blinders. Those that have been eagerly anticipating the latest series know that sometimes storylines and overall quality of a show can wind down over time and in the end their death is a kindness. As expected, creator Steven Knight does not allow that to happen to Peaky Blinders Series 5 as the show returns for another installment riveting storyline, poignant character moments, unrelenting brutality and it’s all portrayed in an even more cinematic way than ever before.
When we last left the Shelby family, they had just avenged a tremendous loss and Tommy (Cillian Murphy) had found his way into Parliament as a socialist politician aided by Jessie Eden (Charlie Murphy). After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the family explores various avenues to recoup their losses, and Tommy has been sought out by Oswald Mosley (Sam Claflin) to represent a new party, the British Union of Fascists both in politics, and with means as a street gang. The decision to infiltrate and deceive Mosley brings more tragic consequences for those associated with the Shelby’s, as does the introduction of the Billy Boys and their leader Jimmy McCavern (Brian Gleeson) who also has been sought out by Mosley to run security for their Fascist rallies. Both Mosley and McCavern serve as formidable foes, as evidenced by the distrain you feel for both from the moment they are introduced, but neither may truly be the biggest opposition faced this series.
This series shows Tommy at his worst, plagued by his PTSD and visions of the love he lost onset by his use of opium, but it also may find him at his best. All of his prior actions seemed to be self-motivated for his own advancement and that of his family, while this time he has good intentions to stop something that he feels may bring the country to the brink of another war. Unfortunately, as stated by Tommy his good intentions end with the innocent being hurt, and his ambitions no matter how they are founded come with considerable risk.
Heavy material is nothing new to the show, but in some ways this series in particular takes on a much darker feeling that lingers throughout, maybe because you never really get the sense that Tommy is fully in control of his strategy or of his own mental health. He has struggled with that aspect since returning from France, but keeping busy and moving the company forward has been enough to keep him going, but with the loss of Grace (Annabelle Wallis) and his brother John (Joe Cole), even that might not be enough.
While other series have allowed Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson and Tom Hardy to steal episodes if not a series altogether, Peaky Blinders Series 5 really allows Murphy to lead the tone of the show with unabashed confidence just as he does his family in it. Don’t worry though, you will still see Arthur Shelby (Anderson) as off the rails as ever in the best way possible, the splendid Aberama Gold (Aidan Gillen) picking up where he left off, and the rest of the overwhelmingly talented cast growing and delivering in each scene.
There are several subplots that are not fully concluded at the end of the six episodes, and they will play heavily into the future series of the show. The most troubling story thread is a brewing mistrust between Tommy and his cousin Michael (Finn Cole), who failed to listen when he was told to sell just before the market crashed, and has fallen under the influence of his ambitious American wife Gina (Anya Taylor-Joy). Their issues put Aunt Polly (McCrory) in the middle, and the tension plays out in at a slow burn before fully igniting as plans are made and things begin to complicate.
As with prior series of the show, this one comes with a new Director (Anthony Byrne) and Cinematographer (Si Bell). They have worked extensively together on other projects, and their combination delivers some of the most stunning shots that you will ever see. From the opening sequence you know they went full board on style this series, and while it is noticeably different, it is still very much rooted in the Peaky Blinders brand, and they are further aided by the editing of Paul Knight who knows exactly how long to let things linger and properly pace the show.
From the beginning, the music of Peaky Blinders has added so much to its tone and feel, and it further separates it from being strictly a dramatized period drama. Anna Calvi is the Composer used for Series 5, and adds a theme to the score that goes beyond anything that has been previously done. While “Red Right Hand” continues to bring the nostalgic smile to your face, and hearing “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath will make you want to applaud its perfect timing, there is a chilling heavy breathing led score that can be heard several times when Tommy becomes overwhelmed, that really works well in increasing the tension on screen.
Ultimately, as the Shelby family continues to find their way between World Wars, and encounter fictionalized versions of real persons and events, Peaky Blinders continues to deliver and remain one of the best written and best acted shows on television. Fans are rewarded with everything that they want, things they didn’t know they wanted, and even things that they may have wanted but didn’t deem possible.
Peaky Blinders as always: 10/10
