Lizzie tells Tommy that she’s been through a lot lately and that she’s not the same as she was before. She says that her husband has done something terrible and that it won’t be lifted anytime soon.
Lizzie and Tommy are leaving, but Ruby is staying with them. After saying goodbye to Ruby in her own way, Charlie decides to stay with Lizzie, pointing out that his father has never really been there for him.
What is the fate of Shelby Ltd?
Tommy tells Arthur he’s going to Canada to sort out a business transaction with his brother Charles. This will be shared out among the Shelby family, as Tommy ignores his brother’s concerns.
Tommy is working with the housing minister to sort out some contracts worth £10 million so the Shelby company can continue to make money “in the interest of a fairer future.” Tommy is keeping his condition a secret from everyone else, demanding Arthur keep to this too. “When the time comes, I’ll call you.” Tommy goes on, hurriedly going over the logistics of his funeral.
Arthur is angry, but his anger quickly dissipates into grief as he hugs his brother and shakes his head. Tommy reminds him that he’s not dead yet as they continue forward with their mission to wrap up loose ends.
Tommy Shelby is encouraging the Shelby family to have a good time this Sunday. Arthur, on the other hand, plans to have dinner at the bar. ..
Michael is released from prison and heads to Boston. He’s not drinking, wanting to keep a level head, as Billy feeds back what he’s learned to Gina on the phone. Gina is cold, deciding they should kill Arthur at the same time, given Tommy’s death will spark a rebellion. In 3 days time there’s going to be a bloodbath, and Gina has already made all the arrangements to see this through to its conclusion.
How does the confrontation between Oswald and Tommy end?
Tommy is invited to attend the wedding of Diana and Oswald, but declines because he will be in Canada at the time. Oswald warns Tommy not to try anything with Diana or he’ll have him killed. When Tommy leaves, his hand shakes.
Does Michael get his revenge?
Tommy flies out to Canada, where Michael begins putting his plan into action. He’s lying in wait on Miquelon Island, with a bomb no less. Tommy shows up at the pub – the same one he and Michael spoke during their meeting way back in episode 1 of this season. Michael demands Tommy show them where he’s stored the opium. Only then will be get his 5 million dollars.
Tommy waits for Michael in the car, while Polly’s son is in the pub. Suddenly, there is an explosion outside and Michael breathes a sigh of relief. “Mum, it’s done. It’s over. May god forgive me.” Thomas Shelby may be dead or he may not be. ..
It turns out Tommy is still alive. He had Charlie switch the cars and as such, the car behind Michael’s is blown to smithereens. Charlie decides to go and look at the fog. In his absence, Tommy and Michael come face to face. Eventually Tommy shoots Michael right through the eye, pointing out he has no limitations and ending Michael’s revenge mission once and for all.
Tommy heads into the bar where Alfie Solomons is drinking. Alfie is married now and Tommy isn’t in the mood for celebrations. A long trail of dead bodies lie in Tommy’s wake but as he mentions this, Alfie encourages him to go and see someone who gives a sh*t. Right on then. After downing his drink, Tommy prepares for the final act. ..
Does Captain Swing die?
Billy Shelby is shot and killed by Duke Shelby in cold blood, and Finn Shelby is promised that he will no longer be a part of the Shelby family “by order of the Peaky Blinders.”
At the Garrison Tavern, Arthur blindsides the assassins, led by Captain Swing, and takes them outside. As a really tense game of cat and mouse ensues, Arthur eventually gasses them out, donning his own gas mask and following the trail of coughs to where Captain Swing sits, choking. Arthur eventually shoots her in the chest, avenging Polly’s death.
The Final Supper
Tommy heads back to London, where he blows his house sky high, detonating charges that drop it to the ground. He’s back where he began, with horses and wagons. The difference here is that he’s actually done some good, allowing the housing plans to go ahead. He toasts to family and encourages Ada to run for parliament if a position opens up.
Arthur is not at the funeral, unwilling to say goodbye, as he promises to join him very soon via a letter read by Linda. Tommy hugs Curly, whispers something in Duke’s ear and says goodbye to everyone as he walks away. He refuses to tell Ada what’s going on – or where he’s going. ..
Does Tommy die from his illness?
Tommy, a month after his suicide attempt, is still a mess. He’s out in the countryside alone, and he’s about to shoot himself in the head with a bullet engraved with “Tommy.” But just before he does, Ruby comes to him and tells him that he needs to live. She urges him to light the fire, and Tommy finally decides to listen. ..
The charred newspaper clipping depicts the wedding of Oswald and Diana. And who else is in attendance? His doctor. ..
Tommy was never actually sick. He was just using the illness to get out of doing things he didn’t want to do, like going to school and working. His doctor told him that he had TB, but that didn’t stop Tommy from believing that he was sick and that death was coming for him. “The gun no longer belongs in your hand.” Tommy says, as he tells his doctor that he’s back from under the ground with a vengeance. ..
Tommy doesn’t shoot him though, instead turning and walking away. As he does, his wagon is set on fire and goes up in flames, which Tommy sees and eventually rides away. ..
The Episode Review
The final episode of the season is a tense and climactic affair. Michael’s storyline is the best part of the episode, while Arthur manages to redeem himself and gain revenge for Polly’s death, shooting Captain Swing outside while she chokes on gas. ..
The big reveal that Tommy isn’t actually sick after all is a bombshell, and it definitely undermines the emotional power of that final supper outside.
The final scene in parliament felt like a setup for the upcoming movie rather than providing closure for Tommy. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but as the last ever episode of Peaky Blinders on the small screen, it would have been nice to get something to sink your teeth into.
While the lack of resolution for the whole Jack Nelson story is a bit disappointing, the fact that Finn gets such a non-ending while Duke is elevated up to head-honcho (presumably anyway) feels, again, like set-up for the movie. That’s to say nothing of the whispering at the end which is never fully explained. What did Tommy whisper in his ear? ..
The season has been frustrating for a few reasons. First and foremost, the story has been slow to develop and it feels like there are a lot of loose ends that need to be tied up. Secondly, the writing has been poor in recent seasons and it seems like some of the plot points have been left unresolved. Finally, there is also the issue of character development which feels like it’s lagging behind other series in terms of progress.
However, the upcoming movie will presumably look to tackle this issue, but it’s a catch-22 situation - how do you produce a big budget movie and appease both fans and newcomers to a series that has such a long and illustrious history? We’ll have to wait and see. ..
For now, Peaky Blinders is riding on a high. It subverts expectations in a clever way, and there’s plenty of promise for the future of this series.
