The Noose

Never watch TV these days apart from news and sport. Soaps dominate the air time in what has become a sad epitaph for a once great institution. Then, unexpectedly I'm off work indisposed with illness following an operation. "Watch Peaky Blinders on iplayer" said a close friend "Peaky What" Never watch TV these days - but out of sheer boredom and curiosity, I did. From the very start of this episode, the dawning realization that I was not only watching a TV drama, I was enjoying what I can only describe as a work of art. The acting, the script, the story-line was brilliant but far better left for others more competent than me to review. From a technical point, this was sheer creative excellence to the highest degree. The use of lighting to enhance the scenes - brilliant, sublime. The dark modern music to complement this period piece was risky to say the least but worked unbelievably well. The costume, make-up, sets and properties, all presented so meticulously, so precisely, so professionally. The film and sound editors need to be given the highest accolades available. Never since Bladrunner in the 1980's have I seen such cinematic creative brilliance. I hate watching TV these days, but this one will go down in History as one to remember.

The opening episode of series 4 is an excellent return to form for this excellent series. All of the elements that make this show great are here front and centre from excellent performances, tight script with comical asides that make it so great, superb cinematography and insanely good plotting. Nothing is wasted and each character is very well written; this is not the kind of show where you could redistribute lines from one character among the others. The wonderful way a discussion about what time the guests will arrive for lunch can turn into a gruesome bloodbath is a highlight of the episode which is immediately topped by the next scene. Peaky Blinders is a very special show and this is a very special episode. The 6 episode format is totally right for this because the amount of care put in and the calibre of the cast would make a longer run an impossibility. Even if it ends after the 5th series we will be left with 30 hours of some of the highest quality TV in years.

Pretty Solid episode, entertaining from A to Z, and thats rare enough in Peaky blinders to notice.

But still so unrealistic on how women act in this show. Never a woman in 1930' Era would have talk like this to a man, i understand it is fan service to please femalr viewers but it make the show unrealistic from that period ! In the 30' Women got no power no leadership and couldnt talk to a man with such arrogance, and you got to respect that when you made a show from the 30'.

Still I give an 8/10.

**Update-Sorry to readers of my reviews**

This is an update on my review. For some reason the Netflix iOS app had narrative voice over settings in place, which contributed to my frustration. So please read my review with this in mind. I work in the industry and at first I accepted what was presented to me, but within 5 mins of posting my review below, I thought this just can't be right. And in fact after tracking down the app settings for the visually impaired being in place, I turned them off. Low and behold my beloved Peaky Blinders returned! So apologies to the small following who read my reviews, and to the cast and crew. My mistake...mmm or Netflix.

***orginal review below***

I'm a die hard fan of this production and enthusiastically embrace some of the truly innovative approaches to storytelling. Most of them work, not as a novel approach to storytelling, but because they endure throughout the production to become the style and feel that supports the main narrative.

But I'm truly struggling with this voice-over narration that starts as a recap for the audience to recall after the hiatus. But it's the voice-over is of the entire script excluding the character dialogue. I'm half way through this (S4E1) episode, and after the almost constant voice-over explanation of the character's actions, it has become excruciatingly redundant. It's annoying, unnecessary, frustrating, and clouds the storytelling of what is a brilliant script...

Don't get me wrong, this is quality television, and compelling viewing, but at 30 mins in (yep I lasted that long)...I wish I didn't have to shout at the screen, "Please stop!", "For goodness sakes, I can see what's going on!"

This episode was insanely good for a season opener.. especially when you look at the previous opener! The season 3 finale and this opener.. amazing 2 hours!

This episode sees the aftermath of the events of season 3, as the familly is devided and still trying to move on from what happened qnd what they went through!

This felt like a true return to what make this show a treat to watch! I am glad we got rid of the politics and went back to the old fashioned threat from other crime families!

The episode has a constant tension slowly building until it all just explodes in the last 10min!

Cillian Murphy was INSANELY good! His scenes near the end gave me chills! He was intemedating and scary!

Season 4 is off to a really good start and proves the show is still going strong!