Gangs of London Season 2 Episode 3 Review: Episode 3
Gangs of London Season 2 Episode 3 boasts reunions and bloody betrayals in equal measure, with Michelle Fairley delivering a standout performance.
“Episode 3” brings about the full-fledged return of Sean Wallace. We see where he was for the past year, from getting saved by Lale and her crew after Elliot shot him to undergoing torture in captivity before snagging a deal to kill the Investors. Joe Cole gives it his all in these scenes — physically, emotionally, and mentally.
KOBA: I get it. You’re like a secret f*cking agent. Who knows where you go … what you really see?
It’s fun gauging Billy, Marian, and Elliot’s varied reactions after Sean crawls back from the brink of death. Billy and Elliot almost seem unsurprised, while Marian initially doesn’t believe her son is alive. Marian’s big confrontation with Sean later in the episode gives us an award-worthy performance from Fairley. She’s piss and vinegar and searing vulnerability all at once.
Gangs of London also explores the change in relationship dynamics for a few characters. For starters, we have Marian and Floriana’s peculiar bond. Floriana saved Marian’s life, so the latter returned the favor by taking in her late husband’s mistress and child. She could’ve easily turned her back on Floriana. After all, she did play a role in Finn’s infidelity. However, this speaks to the importance of loyalty in the Wallace family. It takes precedence above all else.
Another intriguing new dynamic is that of Elliot and Sean. “Episode 3” is the first time we see them interact after Elliot shoots Sean. Before that, Sean believed they were thick as thieves. But now all the cards are on the table. The added layer of the fact that both men are temporarily on the same side despite being enemies will make for exciting dissection down the line.
SEAN: Turns out you and I are on the same side. For now.
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Cole play around in this new sandcastle, pushing the boundaries of how far Sean and Elliot can go under the current circumstances. Sean perpetually looks like he’s on the brink of explosion, so I imagine it won’t be long until the highly anticipated showdown between these two transpires. Revenge and all that.
Of course, I’d be remiss if I omitted Lale and Sean’s convoluted bond. The pair had sex for the first time last season, then Lale saved Sean after he was shot. When both are taken captive by the same captor, Sean negotiates for her release. He doesn’t explicitly say she’s important to him beyond her military skills and mere numbers, crew-wise. He takes her advice to do everything “without fear, without care” by killing Floriana by the episode’s end.
At face value, one would think the relationship is primarily physical, especially since they have sex again in “Episode 3.” In this world of gangs and ultraviolence, it’s easy to switch allegiances and be self-serving. However, I think some kind of love is bubbling beneath the surface. It might not be an all-consuming love, perhaps not even romantic, but Sean and Lale love each other in their own way, in all their complexities. I’m curious to see where they go this season.
LALE: If you want what you claim, you must be prepared to do everything without fear, without care. This is what it asks of you.
“Episode 3” harbors some fun storytelling tricks, notably the beginning sequence featuring Sean’s return from the dead. The camerawork and blurry visuals immerse us in his perspective, making us feel we’re also having an out-of-body experience. We’re seeing it all through his eyes. The moment with Billy at the end uses rapid cuts between three scenes to convey Billy’s sensory overload. It’s such a great bit.
“Episode 3” perfectly balances tense action, emotional moments, and entertaining character beats to make for a fast-paced, engaging hour of television. The lines are drawn between Koba and everyone else, and I can’t wait to see who emerges victorious.
Stray Observations:
- RIP, Lennie. A loyal badass to the end who went out with a bang.
- I’m going to petition for a Three Men and a Baby remake, but all three men are Billy. The baby is, obviously, Roze. So … one man and a baby?
- Poor Floriana. Her first and last mistake was getting involved with Finn Wallace.
- Lale seems like one of the few characters besides Elliot who’s not in the game to obtain power for the sake of having power. She genuinely wants to help her people flourish. Lale for president of the world.
- Marian has every right to be angry with Sean. I’d be furious, too, if my son were out in society for three months without telling me he was alive.
- Koba looks like a little kid on Christmas morning when his team sets out to kill Marian and her crew.
- Is there anything creepier than Sean grinning from ear to ear while saying, “Lucky break”? Nope. Nothing at all.
What did you think of this episode of Gangs of London? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Gangs of London drops new episodes every Thursday on AMC+.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.