The latest season of Game of Thrones is coming to an end. You’ve already powered through the new season of Daredevil. You even gritted your teeth and stuck with Fear The Walking Dead for reasons you still don’t understand. Now, you need your next TV show to binge on.
Might we suggest Peaky Blinders?
Season three of the BBC/Netflix show was recently released in North America, but if you haven’t watched the show before you’re going to want to start at the beginning. Before that, perhaps we can help lay down some general info to help you ease into life in 1919 Birmingham. Bring your flat cap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zqmu0KBYK0
The Plot
Peaky Blinders begins in post-World War I England, specifically the industrial town of Birmingham in 1919. The Peaky Blinders are a gang beginning to make waves in gambling, booze, weapons and racketeering, which catches the attention of Winston Churchill (yes, that Winston Churchill). Churchill enlists Chief Inspector Chester Campbell to bring down the gang and suppress violence in the region. His tactics are, shall we say, not much better than that of the gang.
Why Are They Called The Peaky Blinders?
We turn to you, Wikipedia:
According to Professor Carl Chinn, the name Peaky Blinders is popularly said to be derived from the practice of stitching razor blades into the peak of their flat caps which could then be used as weapons. Chinn describes this as an unrealistic scenario and says that a more mundane explanation is that “peakys” was a common nickname for popular flat caps with peaks. The gangs were known to have a distinctive clothing style, wearing peaked caps, cravats, bell-bottom trousers, and jackets whose “line of brass buttons down the front gave added distinction”.
Is It Really Any Good?
How does a 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes strike you? Those are Game of Thrones and Better Call Saul-type numbers.
Who’s Who
Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) – The lead of the series, Tommy is the very ambitious leader of the Peaky Blinders. He returned from WWI disillusioned and has decided to make his own mark with the help of his family and gang. He’s ruthless but he’s also troubled and suffering from severe PTSD.
C.I. Chester Campbell (Sam Neill) – Campbell originally comes to Birmingham to crack down on gangs like the Blinders and also attempt to recover a consignment of guns that have gone missing (courtesy of guess who?). As you might imagine, his mission turns more personal as things go on.
Polly Shelby (Helen McCrory) – Tommy’s aunt and the treasurer of the Peaky Blinders (they’re legit, you see). She was in charge of the “organization” while the brothers were off in WWI, so she’s re-adjusting to life as an underling. She’s also dealing with the fact that her two children were taken away from her when they were young, something that may come up at some point (it totally comes up at some point).
Arthur Shelby (Paul Anderson) – Tommy’s hot-head older brother. He’s the “attack dog” of the gang and he’s also suffering from severe PTSD from the war. Arthur owns The Garrison, the local pub, and is the most unpredictable of the Blinders, which is saying something.
Grace Burgess (Annabelle Wallis) – When we meet Grace, she’s an Irish barmaid at The Garrison. We won’t say anymore than that…
Who Else Shows Up?
It’s not Game of Thrones but PB has pulled in an impressive list of British and Australian actors for reoccurring roles, including Tom Hardy, who plays the leader of a violent Jewish gang, Noah Taylor, the leader of an Italian gang, Paddy Considine, and Alexander Siddig.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olwYxXWHBz8
What Makes The Show Stand Out?
This show’s got style. The costume designs and set designs are on point and you can feel the grime and smell the smoke as the Blinders walk (in slow motion) through the streets of Birmingham.
The musical score is probably the most unique feature of the show. Instead of sticking to era-appropriate music, the show has blended in modern and cool rock music from acts such as Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, Johnny Cash, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, PJ Harvey and Royal Blood. Not to mention that David Bowie requested that his music be included because he loved the show so much.
That might sound off-putting but the effect is actually quite perfect. The Blinders are themselves a violent push towards modernity in England at a time when so many were still trying to cling to the way things were before the war. Using music from another era matches the way the Peaky Blinders must seem to London’s upper class and old guard gangs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQkt5BV1OXY
How Long Will This Take Me?
Not that long! The show is three seasons in but each season is a scant six episodes. The show has also already been renewed for season 4 and 5 which means if you get on board now you’ll be well up to speed by the time the next season rolls around.
Anything Else I Need To Know?
You’ll probably be unable to refer to the show as anything but PEAKY FOOKIN’ BLINDERS by the time you’re done watching. Just an FYI.
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