We delve more into the Wallace's family with some excellent flashback scenes with some twists with them, and then the ending sequence is an action packed epic.
9 Reviews
Action epic!!
rstenstrom15 May 2020
Building a world
Leofwine_draca11 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The difficult second episode turns out to be a success that builds on the setup of the original. We're back in dark territory here, as the scope expands, characterisation emerges, and we get to know more about this world which we're inhabiting. Corin Hardy takes over the direction and does a sterling job, but the highlight is undoubtedly the climax when Gareth Evans steps in to deliver an astonishing shoot-out.
The Tap Stays Off
highmarksreviews7 May 2020
"Gangs of London" continues on with a very good second episode, one that finds director Corin Hardy taking the reins from Gareth Evans. The results are quite impressive, with a strong one-two punch of drama and brutal action.
It becomes evidently clear that this show has bigger aspirations, which it doesn't hide. This isn't just confined to London alone, the whole narrative is international, with connections and grudges crossing continents. It's a bold choice and one that looks like won't be a problem for the show to explore in the future. It really does serve it well, showing off a variety of layers to its characters.
While the world-building is all well and good, the series still has some glaring issues. The pacing doesn't seem to be too streamlined and some scenes drag more than others. It's especially annoying when the story at hand doesn't develop too much further. There were at least two that just cut out midway before they were resolved.
That being said, the main focus of the Wallace murder remains intact, sharply so. Moreover, there is a hint of a deeper brotherly dynamic between the two Wallace boys, which adds an extra bit of drama. The episode's opening minutes are also pitch-perfect in terms of writing and come back to underscore the brother's relationship. (No spoilers, but props to the casting department for absolutely knocking that sequence out of the park with pitch-perfect choices)
Then again, it wouldn't be an Evans vehicle without a helping dose of grisly fight scenes and thank goodness a decent segment of the episode is dedicated to reminding us of just that. Grenades go off, propane canisters fly and guns light up the sky. It's a drawn out, loud and shockingly brutal sequence. Whoever was working the blood effects, squibs, pyrotechnics and demolitions delivered action gold here, coupled with stellar coordination.
"Gangs of London" is coming into its own and it's so great to see a show show us it has what it takes to be bigger and have a broader focus. It still needs to figure out how exactly it will balance those ambitions, but that's a detail that will no doubt be worked out. The central story arc and the development of most characters remain as precise as ever, with an amazing action sequence to top if all off.
It becomes evidently clear that this show has bigger aspirations, which it doesn't hide. This isn't just confined to London alone, the whole narrative is international, with connections and grudges crossing continents. It's a bold choice and one that looks like won't be a problem for the show to explore in the future. It really does serve it well, showing off a variety of layers to its characters.
While the world-building is all well and good, the series still has some glaring issues. The pacing doesn't seem to be too streamlined and some scenes drag more than others. It's especially annoying when the story at hand doesn't develop too much further. There were at least two that just cut out midway before they were resolved.
That being said, the main focus of the Wallace murder remains intact, sharply so. Moreover, there is a hint of a deeper brotherly dynamic between the two Wallace boys, which adds an extra bit of drama. The episode's opening minutes are also pitch-perfect in terms of writing and come back to underscore the brother's relationship. (No spoilers, but props to the casting department for absolutely knocking that sequence out of the park with pitch-perfect choices)
Then again, it wouldn't be an Evans vehicle without a helping dose of grisly fight scenes and thank goodness a decent segment of the episode is dedicated to reminding us of just that. Grenades go off, propane canisters fly and guns light up the sky. It's a drawn out, loud and shockingly brutal sequence. Whoever was working the blood effects, squibs, pyrotechnics and demolitions delivered action gold here, coupled with stellar coordination.
"Gangs of London" is coming into its own and it's so great to see a show show us it has what it takes to be bigger and have a broader focus. It still needs to figure out how exactly it will balance those ambitions, but that's a detail that will no doubt be worked out. The central story arc and the development of most characters remain as precise as ever, with an amazing action sequence to top if all off.
Really loving it
grogan-6725024 April 2020
Another incredibly paced episode , the action scenes in this show are as full on and bloody as anything i have seen on TV , a really great second episode that just keeps piling the pressure on everyone with all the actors especially Joe Cole as Sean really flourishing in the parts they are playing . Last 10 minutes are gripping and so well directed .
powerful crime family
jonassladen27 November 2020
From Sean's point of view, why didn't he find out everything about Elliott when he had a gun pointed at the back of his head? Including, finding out more than just that he works for Jim, frisking him, looking through HIS PHONE? (Elliott does call Vick on it a bit later). How about putting a tail on him or discovering that Elliott answered his phone at the police station?
After all, his is the most powerful crime family in London and he does literally suspect everyone...
So real.
adamjdavis-9195025 April 2020
Simply brilliant
samdrammeh23 May 2020
1x02
formotog12 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Another meh episode. There was a continuation of the outlandish, unbelievable writing with some sprinkles of melodrama here and there. This episode was more well shot than the previous one I think. The pacing was once again very good, but the dialogue was once again not very good. The show is able to build tension fairly well but the action scenes that it's so impartial to just feel like action for the sake of it. Did the last scene really have to be so dramatic? I think it lasted too long and was an attempt to flout nice production rather than coming from plot necessity. The plot is definitely intriguing but the outlandish writing needs to stop
High 6
High 6
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