Talking Timbuktu

by order of the peaky blinders, we suggestthat you pay proper respect to the following clips. welcome to wmuk, and today we’ll be countingdown our picks for the top 10 peaky blinders moments. for this list, we’re focusing on the mostmemorable moments from the birmingham-set, period piece bbc series. in the series two premiere, time has passed,but trouble persists. as the peaky blinders pay respect to the latefreddy thorne, their pub—the garrison—gets blown to smithereens.

unsurprisingly, mother shelby asks the mostobvious question. but in the world of “peaky blinders,”logic doesn’t always lead to the right answer. so, as thomas shelby views what’s left,he sees more than just an explosion; he sees the future. this event sets the stage for another iconicmoment in the series two finale. midway through series 3, thomas shelby hasconcerns about a gypsy sapphire, along with father john hughes, a known child molesterand potential double agent. but there’s more obstacles to overcome thanjust hughes, one of them being a russian business associate, princess tatiana.

she’s a cunning woman that doesn’t act without proof, but she recognizes that thomas and the peakyblinders often cause trouble based on their emotions. this meeting is then about plain facts, leadingthomas to consider the bigger picture and who’s actually in charge. what does it mean to be a peaky blinder? well, it means understanding who you are. near the conclusion of series 2, thomas haslost a grip on his personal and professional life, making him insecure and skeptical.

enter esme shelby, wife of john, who remindsher brother-in-law of a simple concept while suggesting a new way of life. it’s these moments that eat away at thomas,as he’s torn between happiness and power. he listens, but thomas shelby is a man whotrusts his instincts. in the series 1 finale, the peaky blindersare ready for war. they’ve had enough of billy kimber and plotagainst the italians on “black star day.” only there’s a twist, as thomas shelby’srivals show up at the garrison, surprising the peaky blinders who plan to attack at theraces. against all odds thomas and his crew giveit their all which, with the help of a machine

gun, proves to be enough. they may be crazy, but they’re not cowards,and in this moment the peaky blinders are willing to risk everything. after three months in a hospital, thomas shelbyseeks vengeance for a nasty beating, courtesy of father hughes. this prompts a meeting with alfie solomons,played brilliantly by tom hardy. by this point, thomas is fearless and fedup. meanwhile, alfie just wants some peace ofmind. this moment brings the two men together; twomen who view the world differently but ultimately

have common goals. in “peaky blinders,” power moves are bothnecessary and crucial for survival, even if the most trivial of situations. in the series 2 finale, thomas learns thathe’ll be a father, but there’s more important things to think about, as he’s on the vergeof being killed by major campbell. furthermore, his fails to one-up darby sabiniat the race track seems to seal his fate, especially since he’s taken to a shallowgrave in an empty field. it’s the logical conclusion to a seriesof mistakes, and thomas prepares to meet death. alas, there’s a greater plan at work, andthe peaky blinders rise again.

early on in series 3, thomas has conflictwith both the russians and the italians. but it’s the latter that concerns him most,especially after his younger brother—john—slices them up with a razor blade while defendinglizzie stark. thomas doesn’t request advice, but rathermakes his own call. it’s a polarizing moment for the shelbyclan, but thomas realizes that action must be taken to save john from the italians. the decision highlights the brutal natureof birmingham business, while demonstrating thomas’ ability to stay one step ahead. in series 2, thomas shelby looks for someonewith influence.

that man is jewish gangster alfie solomons,who's got his own history with darby sabini. the camden town meeting foreshadows a businesspartnership, but it also marks tom hardy’s debut, and he’s nothing less that extraordinary. intimidating yet charming, alfie is someonethat thomas needs, and this moment suggests their relationship is based on mutual respect,as both men seem to understand each other on a practical level. thomas also shows respect for his most trustedfamily members, evidenced by polly’s birthday surprise in the same episode. before john shelby married esme lee, the peakyblinders had some conflict with the lee family.

in the second episode, the gypsies clash aftera vulgar insult. it’s a highly stylized scene, which shedslight on the nature of the setting. violence comes naturally for both families,and the score gives the impression that it’s simply tradition. it’s a significant moment, as the lees ultimatelyplot revenge, leading thomas to execute his own cursed horse. after all, it’s the peaky blinders way,and their troubles often begin with physical confrontations. before we unveil our top pick, here are afew honorable mentions.

to be “the man,” you’ve got to beat“the man.” in this case, thomas shelby just needs tooutsmart alfie solomons to stay alive. but the problem is that alfie wants to killthomas, just after the peaky blinder signs over 100% of his business. it’s a moment of truth, as thomas calmlyreveals his backup plan: a plot to blow up alfie’s distillery should he be harmed. poor ollie buckles under the pressure, whilethomas suggests that he actually blew up his own pub, the garrison. the clock ticks, leading alfie to back downfrom his original “offer.”

per usual, thomas shelby stays cool underpressure, allowing him to fight another day.

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