By Issam Raad | Staff Writer
“It’s in our gypsy blood. We live somewhere between life and death, waiting to move on. And in the end, we accept it. We shake hands with devils, and we walk past them.”
- Aunt Polly
Gypsies have a special lifestyle of constant movement, but have you seen someone who cannot stop moving up the ladder of success? Well, let me tell you something: there’s a man, whose headquarters is located in Birmingham, and whose limitations do not exist, a man who continuously wanders between life and death, so determined to achieve what’s on his mind that he’s ready to erase you from existence if you dare to stop him. His weaknesses are freedom and madness, and like a Capricorn, he won’t relax until he reaches the top of the mountain – even if he has to shake hands with devils to make it. His name is Thomas Shelby, a classy and savage individual who runs a business that doesn’t concern anyone, not even his family sometimes. He carries out matters silently and cleverly behind the curtains and would manipulate even his siblings, Arthur, John, and Ada for the Shelby family. But every human has a shoulder to lean on at times, and Tommy trusts his dear aunt Polly when he feels threatened by anyone who endangers his British gang and family. Based on the real existence of a gang by the same name based in the Midlands in the late nineteenth century, Peaky Blinders is a thrilling British crime and drama TV series with a magical touch of classiness, madness, and a load of impressive quotes. First released in 2013, the show has completed 5 seasons till 2019 then concluded with its sixth one in 2022.
As mentioned previously, Thomas is a man to watch out for, but also a kind gentleman who prefers to hide his emotions because he perceives feelings as weakness. Unfortunately, he couldn’t stick to his preference for too long because a fine lady has come to Birmingham and shook his heart, which was followed up by events and secrets that got unraveled over time. The British gangster believes that the line between legal and illegal is sometimes wrongly drawn; he favors drawing his own line instead, by his rules. He’s an outlaw who lives by his own laws and is ready to fight for his mindset. However, resistance attracts policemen, and this time, Birmingham has invited a ruthless major to lead its forces into catching outlaws and cleaning out trespassers from the neighborhoods of the city. Nevertheless, Tommy has a plan and is smart enough to negotiate rather than use violence. But how long will his negotiations save him? And where will his ambitions take him? I’d say across the city, and even anywhere beyond, because as Tommy says, “I have no limitations”.
I admit it, part of me admires the show because I relate to the main character in terms of personality and traits, and I admire his spirit. Cillian Murphy, acting as Thomas Shelby, is a mysterious, often misunderstood man; you scantly know what’s on his mind. But what I’m sure of is that he does what he does to protect his large family and his growing reputation. To continue doing that, Shelbys need allies, and they found some unpredictable gangsters like them. So, what will this alliance create? Will it last? Will Tommy keep his affairs together? To know, and as the Shelby brothers say, I command you to watch the famous TV series by order of the Peaky Blinders.