When Studly Doright and I finished watching the series, “Dexter,” we were conflicted about what to watch next. I was rooting for “Weeds “ while Studly really wanted to watch “Peaky Blinders.” Since I’d chosen “Dexter” I gave in to him this go around.
Now, we’re seven episodes in, and if I could understand all of the dialogue I believe I’d really like “Peaky Blinders.” Even so, I comprehend well enough to keep watching.
Set in Birmingham, England, in 1919, the series centers on the Shelby family, and their gang, for which the series is named. I won’t reveal why the gang has such an odd name; that’s something one has to see to believe.
Thomas Shelby, the protagonist, is seriously flawed. He’s struggling with PTSD from his service in World War I; although, they didn’t call it that back then. He’s cruel and ruthless, and somehow we find ourselves rooting for him against our better judgement. Played beautifully by Cillian Murphy, one wants to alternately kiss him or knock some sense into him. Maybe that’s just my reaction. He is rather delicious.
His love interest, the barmaid, Grace Burgess, played by the stunning Annabelle Wallis, is a match for Thomas in every way. She’s not who he thinks she is, and that could cost him everything.
Perhaps my favorite character is the matriarch of the Shelby family played by Helen McCrory. She’s tough as nails and you don’t want to mess with her family.
As much as I hate to admit it, Studly chose a great series. If I could just get him to let me use closed captioning, it might be my favorite series so far.
Peace, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Oh I’ve that series since episode 1 first aired years ago. Giving no spoilers.
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It’s intense!
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It is indeed. i love the writing, the quite dreadful characters, the music, the costumes, the chutzpah. In all regards it was and is a ‘historical’ drama that blows the rst off the screen for me. And I love how they get so much into a series of like 6 episodes and still manage to pull the rabbit out the hat by tying it all up in the last 20 mins of episode 6. I always laugh when people who have not seen it ask what it is about and I have to say, no idea. I don’t watch it for that. These things i mentioned there are what I watch it for. Having said that series 1 hooked me in cos I know what they said it was about, the men returning, how damaged they were and they were–, I know from everything I heard of my grandad how these men were never the same again– how Tommy tries to builds this empire, put the family back on the map, but pure and simply for me, it was a love story between him and Grace. Cos the whole time I was thinking….will she betray him and see if he finds out the real truth of her…… It just did the whole thing of conflict in human emotion so well.
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The music is outstanding! And when Grace sings, I want to cry. So beautiful.
And the flashbacks Tommy has from the brutality of war really brings home that what our soldiers here are experiencing is not a new thing. They aren’t the first to return broken and scarred emotionally for life. And with Tommy’s generation, there was no help in the form of mental health aid for veterans. It’s heartbreaking to think of the lives lost—and not necessarily on the battlefield.
Great, gritty, thought-provoking series.
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Indeed it is thought provoking. My grandfather ran away to join up aged 14. He did four years, latterly as a diver because he had been wounded. My understanding is that he would spend days cowering under blankets suffering flashbacks. He drank like nothing on earth and treated my dad with brutality. There was no help for these men None.
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Oh. Breaks my heart. I hate war.
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Me too Leslie xxxxx
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This is fine, but does Gracie like it??
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She snoozed on the back porch while we watched. I think she’s declining to give her approval.
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If you like the English drama genre make sure to watch the 1st season of the new All Creatures Great & Small. I hear there’s plans to continue it for a 2nd season. I enjoyed it very much. It’s a PBS/Masterpiece show.
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Loved the book!
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It’s an engrossing series. Have you also watched « Line of Duty »?
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We have not watched that. I’ll add it to my list. Thanks!
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You’re welcome
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I love love love love love Peaky Blinders!!!!
Still hoping Tommie is going to knock on my door some day. Oh the things I would do to that delightful creature 😳🤐
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I hear you! Of course, I’m old. So, at my house he’d likely only want a cup of tea. But I’d make him the best damned cup of tea ever. 😉😉
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This hasn’t appealed to us. Maybe we should rethink
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It’s very dark.
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That’s what we thought. Jackie would not like it and there is plenty that we both like
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Right! It wouldn’t have been my first pick, but Studly likes it.
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Someone suggested I watch this a couple of years ago. Never got around to it. Maybe I’ll give it a spin now– thanks for the tip!
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It is intense!
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