Beggars Banquet

The creators of "MobLand" (not Guy Ritchie but the writer duo) command a wide audience and are having fun manipulating audience expectations. I enjoyed the sort of self-destructive writing here, for its audacity, but wonder whether a more conventional approach would have been more satisfying. Like the expected "Godfather" style gang war, promised but never materialized.

When "Knives Out!" was released to great popular/critical favor, I was reminded of a more innovative in-joke mystery exercise: 1973's "The Last of Sheila", written by no less than Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins. It wasn't a hit but did set a standard in cleverness for its own sake.

Of course, now we have Wes Anderson's "cute" and absurd movies (which I don't like) and the ultra-cleverness of "Succession" (which I did). One-upmanship dictates that "MobLand" lure in a mass audience, and then trick and/or tickle that audience's fancy. Episode 1.8 was spectacularly effective and entertaining, so to follow it up the auteurs undermine the story completely in Episode 1.9, a case of sheer showing off.

Helen Mirren's scene with Gina more than hinted that she was being directed to be campy. That sets up the segment's title climax, hardly a banquet but as strange a family dinner as could be -strictly Theater of the Absurd. One part "Alice the professional evidence-planter", two parts Great Stars Brosnan and Mirren going way over the top in theatrical acting that's shocking on the small screen, and Tom Hardy as Harry utterly subdued, as the central schemer we all thought was on the level.

The subplots involving Gina/Eddie, Paddy Considine's revenge and Bella's own harebrained scheme do not fit with the main action at all, unfortunately.

Episode 9 of Mobland was decent but felt more like a setup than a strong standalone episode. I've been hoping for more action - it's what the show really needs to elevate itself. This episode didn't offer much excitement and felt a bit like filler, though the introduction of Kat Williamsclearly hints at plans for Season 2. I'm still watching because I've come this far, but the show is starting to feel predictable. You can see the plot direction from episodes away, which takes away the suspense. I just wish it delivered more surprises and intensity. All in all something to get time by because of the lack of shows we have.

I understand the need for "set up episodes" we're not much really happens beyond setting the stage for what's going to happen later on. And sometimes, with clever writing, those can be some of the most gripping episodes of a season. That is not the case with this episode.

Without getting into spoilers, I'll just speak in generalities. They have sure driven home the point that no one in the family is relatable, likable, order even all that interesting anymore. Conrad and Mae are just total nutters. It's a little late in the season to just start throwing curveballs around when it comes to Harry's true intentions. The story seems so disjointed at this point that I'm not where I should be at this point in the season.

By the penultimate episode of a season, I should be absolutely desperate to find out what happens next. Quite honestly, I'm not even 100% sure what I just saw or how it relates to anything I've seen in the prior episodes. If the goal is to drive home, the point that none of the characters are relatable or even worth rooting for, maybe other than Harry, I suppose they've succeeded.

I've thought that the character development regarding Harry this season has been very well done. I felt like I "know him" and he's every bit bad ass, loyal soldier we would expect from a Tom Hardy character. Then again, I'm certainly reassessing all of that, based on what I just saw. One episode to go and if they play their cards right they may succeed in making sure the viewer cares about no one at all. If they manage to pull off that? Then at least we won't have to worry about a second season because no one will care to see what happens to any of the characters at that point.

I've liked the show up until now. I'm not saying I don't like the show, but rather that now I'm not so sure. Instead of how I should be feeling, furious that I have to wait an entire week to see what happens next, I'll swing back around in a week just to see if they've somehow managed to redeem the story or if I've wasted a good 10 hours of my time on this show...

The action slowed in this episode, but the dialogue and acting shone brightly!

I'm not enamored of the boy's reformatory storyline, but that's concluded. It did, however, give the excellent Paddy Considine (Kevin Harrigan), a meaty episode.

Once again, the highlight of this episode was the Master Class between old pro's Pierce Brosnan (Conrad Harrigan) and Helen Mirren (Maeve Harrigan). It's like watching Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor squaring off!

Toby Jones (Colin Tattersall) is an excellent late addition, and were I Ritchie (Geoff Bell), I wouldn't be so smug.

Clearly, Clever Harry has a grand plan and it's about to hit the fan next week.

Absolute tried changing the angle in this episode and absolute stuck the wrong foot on the wrong peddle.

This series has gone from bad, to guilty pleasure, to may aswell finish, to absolute nonsense but still gonna watch the last episode, theyve got it so terribly wrong its almost right. There was a film with james franco in that reminds me of how this series has come across in real life.

Too many different acting styles going on; some parody type of acting, some attempts at serious acting, some of the worst acting in many of these actors portfolios but I just don't think that any of the actors have taken this project very seriously at all. I'm almost embarrassed for Helen mirren and paddy Constantine, I've come to expect this type of rubbish from pierce brosnan but Tom Hardy is the most overrated actor in the world, including the rock.