Antwerp Blues

I am as addicted to this show as I am routinely disappointed by it. By that I mean, I really do want to know what comes next, that I won't be tuning out, and that I am looking forward to seeing the impending slaughter play out. The problem with this show is that although it's well acted, has a brilliant cast, and the minutes often fly by (I have never been bored once) it just gets sillier and sillier. Surprisingly most of the silliness comes from our grand dame Maeve (in probably the most ridiculous (albeit fun) role Helen Mirren has ever played) and Pierce Brosnan's Conrad, who looks like he should be some kind of elder stateman figure, meting out justice wisely and fairly but here he's just a deranged if understated psycho trying hard to not face up to the fact he's constantly manipulated by his wife.

After the ridiculous Gangs of London (which like this started off really well) I was rather hoping this show would be more subtle, but unfortunately it's only a little bit better, and most of that is the tireless, uncomplaining Tom Hardy in the lead role.

The other thing I don't like much is that the family seems to be based on the siblings in Succession, especially the eldest, who seems to be based on the equivalent character in that series, and is just as insubstantial. Serafina is the Shiv character, and I guess that puts Paddy Considine in the Kendall Roy role. Ok that's where the analogy probably breaks down, except to the extent that Paddy's Kevin, like Kendall isn't a serious person. But in this case that just means we find ourselves wondering why he's there at all, which given his talent is just a terrible shame.

Anyway can't wait until the next episode, but unfortunately I will be cursing right the way through.

I have to say that this series is genius. It's a modern take on the classic gangster. Each episode explodes with such action, suspense and all things with such greatness. Each week I'm in the edge of my seat.

Guy Ritchie continues to get it each week. Between the story line, cast and each and every element of the show is all put together like a perfect storm of what so many shows lack these days.

I look forward to every episode, every week just to see what they can come up with that can top the previous weeks episode. Not dropping any spoilers but just when you think this family can't top the previous episode..... well just wait and see!

This show may have started promising, but the last three episodes have continually worsened. This was the weakest episode of the season so far.

I'm not buying any of it. The male lead (Brosnan) is being cuckolded by his ugly, incestuous wife. Jeez, how original.

Crime story aside, the main sensibility I see here is the typical man-does-not-know-how-to-write-for-women-characters show. In other words, plain and simple misogyny. Which is pretty much a staple of action and crime movies, both in film and TV. Well-defined, positive female characters are an exception rather than the rule.

Here, the women aren't just an afterthought, they're hopelessly defective. Basket cases, psychos, etc. It's easy to write for that because you don't have to put much effort into it. And you either lack or are oblivious to real-life experience.

The only female role that's written with a touch of reality is Seraphina. But I guess that's too much for the writers to deal with, so why not just get her out of the way. That way we can spend more time with the two-dimensional nutjobs who serve only as MacGuffins.

In keeping with this misogyny, the only thing missing from this show is a bumper-sticker credit at the end that says something like "Abortion is Murder."

The state owns you, ladies. Body, mind & soul. And more than half of you seem to be more than fine with that.

I was surprised at the egregious gloating "in your face" by both Conad and Eddie Harrigan, on the phone with the gangster they victimized, Richie Stevenson. Add some more treachery by Helen Mirren's Maeve, supposedly in character , found the latest plot twist quite unbelievable.

Meanwhile, the subplot involving the "left out" family members Seraphina and Brendan takes center stage, as they're in Antwerp finalizing a dodgy diamond deal worth millions of pounds, not authorized by daddy Conrad. Naturally, only Harry can save the day!

While the war remains in the background for the moment, there's tremendous suspense built up in this segment, with a cliffhanger ending.

This sets up the inevitable gang war at the heart of this series.

This series is on fire!

Director Daniel Syrkin does a great job in this episode matching brilliantly written dialogue with sudden bursts of action.

At one point, Maeve (Helen Mirren) refers to chess, when speaking with her utterly-useless grandson Eddie (Anson Boon), whom she adores, and that is a great metaphor for this episode as the pieces are moved around the board.

Pierce Brosnan continues to delight in his best-ever role. The scenes between Brosnan and Mirren are a Master Class.

Harry (Tom Hardy) is like the elephant trainer at a mega circus parade trying to clean up the mess. His wife Jan (Joanne Froggatt) is one of those wives who loves to eat, but doesn't want to know how the stew is made.