01E04 - Episode 9

You get what it says on the tin on this one. A gangster movie based in London, and it really does reflect the modern cosmopolitan ethnic mix. However, that's where reality begins and ends with this ultraviolence show.What we have in this first season is an Anglo-Irish gangster family in business and at war with all the other ethnic gangs to remain at the top of the ladder. Thinking themselves as the apex predators, they find themselves to be as vulnerable as the rest. Add in undercover cops, financial shenanigans and dysfunctional families, and you have all the ingredients to a modern gangster drama.The problem is that it becomes clear that this was made by a director is interested in the action scenes only (no surprise this being made by the director of the incredible 'The Raid'), yet that becomes a distraction. London gangwars are made out to be like as if the city is in the middle of an apocalypse, with heavy artillery and covert green berets on the prowl. It's a bit laughable and nauseating in that sense.The action scenes are way too much, and there is one big action scene after another in each show, when really they could have just done fewer and built up to the story to each.The show is good, and actors are fine with a clutch recognisable stars from Peaky Blinders and Game of Thrones. However, our lead never convinces in his role, but Michelle Fairley more than compensates for that with another stand out role as the cheated matriarch of the family.I won't give anything away. There's a lot to take in. You'll have to get your head around the different gangs (Turks, Irish, English, gypsies, Pakistanis, African groups, Danish etc), and unlike Game of Thrones, they don't give you time to take it all in. It's all in your face. Just accept it and maybe dont' think too much.Improves as it goes on the first season, but the ending is a sham, and completely nonsense I thought. Almost ruined it all but they reined it all in partially.Despite my mixed comments above on the show, it's a fine series to watch, but it's not some game changer for British gangster film making. Enjoyable & entertaining for the action scenes and some of the story, but nothing more to date.Maybe the second season will see some big changes that will move everything along better.