”By order of the Peaky Blinders.” These words are enough to send shivers down anybody’s spine in the ghettos of Small Heath, Birmingham. In Peaky Blinders, the year was 1919, an ambitious man by the name of Thomas “Tommy” Shelby (Cillian Murphy) harbors grand plans of growing his meager horse betting den into something more. However, business in Birmingham is tight. One way to succeed is by either cooperating with fellow mob leaders (usually on less than agreeable terms.) In Tommy’s case, it usually ends up with taking over enemy territory — at the cost of his life.
At a glance, the general premise of Peaky Blinders revolves around Tommy seizing, clawing, and fighting for every opportunity to grow his betting den into a respected empire with legitimate business dealings (on paper, at least.) However, as much as he loves his family, he’s not shy about using them as collateral for what he perceives is the greater good of the company. Sometimes, he’s lucky and the gamble pays off. Other times, he faces near death, only to escape the Grim Reaper time after time again. To understand how the Shelbies operate, both as a family and a business, look no further than Season 2, Episode 6 — the only definitive episode to rewatch just in time before the Peaky Blinders movie arrives.
Tommy Shelby’s Good with His Guns, but He’s Far Superior at Outwitting His Enemies
Despite being head of Shelby Company Limited, Tommy doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty on the field. On top of being a World War I veteran, he shucked razor blades in the eyes of gypsies, shot Billy Kimber (Charlie Creed-Miles) right in the head, and started a fistfight in enemy territory. But what makes Tommy so enigmatic is how much of a calculative and crafty mastermind he is. For example, in Season 1, when Tommy’s men accidentally recovers a crate of weapons meant for the English army, he uses them as leverage to get his business a license from the authorities.
In Season 2, Episode 6, viewers are treated to a masterclass in closing business deals — the Tommy way. Throughout Season 2, Tommy forms an acquaintance with the head of the Jewish mob in Camden Town, Alfie Solomons (Tom Hardy). This newfound relationship is crucial to the Shelby Company’s expansion. But Alfie, who previously had ties to Darby Sabini’s (Noah Taylor) Italian crew, doesn’t plan on switching sides any time soon. In the beginning of the episode, Tommy finally drafts up a business proposal that would benefit the two parties. However, Alfie wants more out of the deal — failure to comply would mean instant death for Tommy.
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‘Peaky Blinders’ began its six-season run in 2013.
If there’s one thing about Tommy, it’s that he’s always prepared when somebody says no. In a more-than-convincing bluff, Tommy explains that he’s secretly placed a grenade near Alfie’s barrels of combustible rum. If Tommy doesn’t not get out of the premise alive by the strike of seven, he’s got someone outside ready to launch the bomb and put Alfie’s entire enterprise into flames. Although the Jewish gang leader doesn’t believe it at first, he ultimately surrenders out of fear and shakes on the deal. If you don’t succeed — try blackmail.
Unlike Tommy, There’s Only So Much Polly Gray Would Sacrifice for the Family Business
While Tommy acts on impulse, his aunt Polly Gray decides based on rationale. In addition to being Deputy Treasurer, she’s also the voice of reason to Tommy’s dangerous whims. In Season 1, she was the first person to tell Tommy to dump the weapons, to which Tommy refuses. Of course, Tommy’s the head honcho of the business. No matter how much Polly is against his risky plans, she is left no choice but to trust in his decisions.
That changes in Season 2, Episode 6. For context, another major storyline throughout the season is Polly reconnecting with her long-lost son, Michael Gray. Polly introduces Michael to the rest of the Shelby family, but she had no plans of inducting him into the family business for his safety. However, the more Michael reacquainted with Tommy, the more attracted he becomes to the establishment’s promising future. Despite Michael’s lack of experience in the gang, Tommy sees potential in his ability to count, and appoints him as accountant.
Another thing about Tommy is that his sole decisions end up risking the lives of his family. To ensure Tommy carries out his assignment, Major Chester Campbell (Sam Neil) takes Michael in as collateral. A grief-stricken Polly did everything she could to get her son out, including being sexually assaulted by Major Campbell. By the time Michael is released, Polly hands him wads of cash and instructs him to leave the Shelby family, move to London, and start a clean life. To Tommy, Michael is a valuable asset. To Polly, Michael is her life and blood — hurting him means hurting her.
At the End of the Day, Tommy Is Just a Pawn in Somebody Else’s Game
Tommy presents himself as a man very much in control of his future. Like the gangster-slash-businessman that he is, he’s constantly negotiating his way through his enemies. In Season 1, when Tommy encounters Inspector Campbell, he’ll tell him where the stolen weapons are provided he leaves Tommy and his men alone. When Tommy was almost shot by rival businessman Billy Kimber in the head, Tommy offers an opportunity to work together and maximize their profits instead.
But the truth is, Tommy is no more than an expendable tool in somebody else’s grand scheme. Season 2, Episode 6 follows Tommy and the rest of the Peaky Blinders carrying out a risky assassination at the Epsom Derby on behalf of Winston Churchill and under the supervision of Inspector Campbell. In return, Tommy receives an Empire Export License that allows him to transport certain manufactured foods from Birmingham to other parts of the globe.
However, the deal goes sideways. By the time Tommy completes the job, he is double-crossed by Major Campbell. Taken away by three members of the Red Right Hand, Tommy is nearly killed – until the executor unexpectedly kills the other two men and spares his life. Tommy might count himself lucky, but the only reason his life is spared is because, “At some point in the near future, Mr. Churchill will want to speak to you in person, Mr. Shelby. He has a job for you.”
One one hand, getting in direct contact with a higher-up in the British government is good for the Shelby Company, as it gives Tommy the leverage to negotiate more benefits for growth. But on the other hand, that’s all his life is – a never-ending series of negotiations that require him to do dirty deeds in exchange from business expansion. And that always comes with the risk of being double-crossed, imprisoned, or killed. At the end of the day, Tommy is just a pawn in someone else’s game.
- Release Date
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2013 – 2022-00-00
- Showrunner
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Steven Knight
- Directors
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Otto Bathurst, Tom Harper, Colm McCarthy, Tim Mielants, David Caffrey, Anthony Byrne