Helter Skelter

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Helter Skelter", an eight episode of "Mobland" was an entertaining one, if not the best. The endin (no spoilers) suggests that the plot of the show is just going to happen - no matter what it's just for an entertainment value. I liked it because of that. It's clear at this point that Mobland isn't concerned about family depth and etc. - it's all very fast paced and for fun. And that's what I like about it.

Overall, if you enjoyed Mobland up until this point, you will enjoy this episode as well. Looking forward to watch last two episodes. A fun series so far if not great.

Pierce Brosnan (Conrad Harrigan) continues to absolutely shine in this crowning role of his career! This is his episode from beginning to end. His charming Irish menace is chilling, yet in the hands of a less-skillful actor it could come across as camp.

The sit down Harry (Tom Hardy) has with Eddie (Anson Boon) is priceless; beautifully written and masterfully acted by Tom Hardy!

Just when we think this series couldn't get any better, Toby Jones (Tattersall) appears.

Maeve (Helen Mirren) is playing a treacherous game that can only end in blood, sweat and tears! But, Harry is on to her shenanigans.

This is "MobLand" storytelling at an extremely high level: engrossing, to the point and packing a wallop! Bennett & Butterworth's writing is better than ever, with the talented ensemble cast revved up and perfectly in character.

Beyond the machinations and infighting of the Harrigan clan, I was amazed at how Tom Hardy, with just limited screen time, adds so much dimension to his central character. He's got three show-stopping scenes: his highly surprising confrontation (marvelously underplayed in master-class acting) with Eddie over the romance with his daughter Gina; followed by his talk with Gina where she gets the last word, and finally his artful manipulation of Donnie.

But the introduction of two powerful outside forces played by Toby Jones and Janet McTeer expands the scope of the show immeasurably, as it takes us beyond the mere Richie versus the Harrigans war which remains just at the simmering rather than "going to the mats" stage. And Geoff Bell as Richie is the show's secret weapon -we're so enthralled with the Harrigans that it's easy to forget how clever and sinister an adversary he is. Like a Bond film, the strength of the chief villain is one key to a show's success.

I Don't do reviews but this series well... Episode 8 is a masterpiece in storytelling, acting and a gripping story to boot. Tom Hardy is becoming one of my favourite actors and delivers a phenomenal and powerful performance especially when he's faced with the usual father daughter situation of boyfriends, I thought he was going the belt Eddie, but the way he handled that and the way Tom acted it was tense but magical. Every episode lands with enough tension & emotion & purpose. The twists and turns just keep on coming & keeps you thinking....didn't see the detectives well......you need to watch it. Huge respect to the Guy Ritchie for this brilliant work.

As in the previous episode, once again I'm impressed by the flow (a little less), amazing quality, stylish vibe (a little less), great acting (mostly Brosnan, Hardy and Bell), menacing continuity and suspenseful atmosphere with new home & road drama, the crown this time incontestably going to Conrad and Richie.

After eight episodes, knife on throat, we are back in business and owe another one to Kat.

Richie needs to be wiped out in an all out war.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 8
• Production value/impact: 8
• Development: 8.5
• Realism: 8
• Entertainment: 8
• Acting: 8.5
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 8
• VFX: 8
• Music/score/sound: 7
• Depth: 7.5
• Logic: 6
• Flow: 8
• Crime/Irish/British/drama/mysterious thriller mist: 8.5
• Ending: 9.