The episode opens seven years earlier, with Johnny Galloway (Victor Alli) and Attorney Naomi Keegan (Evelyn Miller) parked in a remote area. He gives her evidence of three gang leaders, their territories, and what they grow. He voices concern about the evidence leading back to him. She claims no one knows he is her source. As she walks away, Jack (Emmett J Scanlan) shoots Johnny and searches the car to come up empty-handed. A short time later, Jack orders Naomi to pull over. When she refuses, he sideswipes her, sending his car spinning out of control until it comes to a stop. She speeds away from the scene. He emerges and alerts someone of Naomi heading in their direction with the file. As Naomi approaches the intersection, a Smith & Davis truck speeds up and crashes into her, flipping her cover on its top. The driver, Zeek (Andrew Koji) rolls down his window and the car ignite. A traffic camera captures Zeek leaving the scene. A man emerges from a vehicle, approaches her car, grabs the file, ignores her pleas for help, and walks away. The car explodes.
In Myanmar Southeast Asia, a vehicle speeds down a dirt road. At a farm, Sebastian (Theo Ancient) explains how a variety of Papaver somniferum (poppy seeds) cultivars are utilized to expand the yield. Slicing open a pod, he tells Isabel Vaughn (Janet McTeer) that it provides about 95 mg. Henry Amiel (Sebastian Armesto) and Miss Kane (Amanda Drew) arrive and inform Isabel of Naomi and Samuel’s deaths.
Present Day – Billy Wallace (Brian Vernel) has Ed Dumani (Lucian Msamati) beaten to extract information from him. He threatens to kill Danny Dumani (Taye Matthew) and Shannon Dumani (Pippa Bennett-Warner) if he doesn’t identify the person who ordered the cocaine spiking. Ed claims to have done it alone. Elliot insists he is lying and asks if he wants to give Henry and Asif Afridi (Asif Raza Mir) some credit. Cornelius (Richard Dormer) complains about wasting his time on Ed. Marian Wallace (Michelle Fairley) orders Liam (Tim McDonnell) to kill Shannon and Danny. Ed demands a promise that no harm will come to his family. She says if he gives us the intel they seek, his family will be safe. Ed claims Isabel was behind it. Billy asks how do they reach her. He tells them about her impending meeting to which he has an invitation.
Sitting on a bench, Mayor Simone Thearle (T’Nia Miller) ignores her buzzing phone. A short time later, she arrives at her office where Henry is waiting. She confronts him about his connection to Ed and Asif, who are behind the cocaine spiking. He suggests Elliot told her and denies the allegation. She says Asif’s companies donated large sums to their campaign. She threatens to report it to the police. Sniggering, he calls her a drug user and accuses her of releasing a criminal from custody. He boasts of making her London’s mayor. Upon leaving, he threatens to expose her if she reneges on their drug decriminalization plan. Elsewhere, Marian tells Billy to find and kill Sean’s killer. She gives him a handgun, embraces him, and says she is proud of him. Elliot insists on accompanying Billy to meet Isabel. Elsewhere, Liam and Cornelius cover the floor in plastic, place a chair in the center, force Ed to sit, and restrain him to the chair. Luan Dushaj (Orli Shuka) watches from a few feet away. Cornelius admits to enjoying it. Ed claims to have wanted him gone back then but Finn Wallace (Colm Meaney) wasn’t sure he liked him. He says Marian agreed with him. Cornelius hits his legs with a metal bar. In pain, Ed continues to taunt him and Cornelius repeatedly hits him. Cornelius leaves the room with Ed’s phone. Ed reminds Luan of their promise not to harm his family. Luan walks out of the room.
Shannon and Danny put their luggage in the boot of their car. She receives a text from Ed’s phone asking her to meet him at the factory and bring their passports. Upon arriving at the factory, Shannon goes inside, leaving Danny in the car. She calls his phone and it rings. Armed, she makes her way through the factory. Luan approaches with his gun aimed at her. He takes her gun and drops it on the floor. Cornelius approaches with his raised. Luan asks where Danny is. She says he is only a child. He says Elira was also. Standing in the doorway, Danny fires several shots, hitting a man. Another man returns fire but misses him. Shannon charges the man, grabs an object, and stabs him with it. Approaching from behind, Cornelius puts a gun to Danny’s head and tells him to drop his gun. Shannon repeatedly stabs the man. Luan yells at her to stop.
Billy and Elliot arrive at the meeting location. Elliot hands Ed’s invitation to a security guard. Inside, the meeting is in progress. Henry informs the attendees of Simone’s 18-month plan to decriminalize drugs in London. Isabel says the new legislation will create a $100b drug production market. She announces Vaughan Alliance’s acquisition of large land parcels in Pakistan, Turkey, Peru, and Myanmar, where testing is in progress. She says the company will be fully prepared to bid on the licenses. Elliot and Billy enter the room. Henry recognizes them. Isabel asks James to escort them to her office. Elsewhere, Marian slams the door to wake Ed. He tries to convince her to release him. She reminds him of his ordering the hit of Sean. He claims Emi Kimura’s son, Zeek killed him. She asks for Liam’s gun. He gives it to her and leaves the room.
Elliot asks Isabel why she spiked the cocaine. She insists it was necessary to shift public perception and approach the drug problem in a new manner. He reminds her of the hundreds of victims. She calmly says war comes with a price and assures them the decriminalization of drugs will save many lives. He says she will profit from it. Billy asks if Sean’s death was part of the greater good. She claims Ed made the call. He argues that it wouldn’t have been carried out without her approval. She signals to James. Billy shoots her and fires at Henry but misses. Henry and Billy wrestle over his gun. Elliot fights with James. Billy stabs Henry in the neck with a pen. Elliot shoots James and charges another guard. Billy stabs Henry in the chest. A guard grabs him from behind. Utilizing a fire poke, Elliot hits a man in the leg and stabs another man. A swings an axe at Billy. A struggle ensues. The guard knocks him down, retrieves his gun, and aims it at Billy. Elliot approaches from behind and hits him with the fire poke. Billy thanks him. An injured Isabel promises to make Elliot rich. He denies caring about money. She claims Naomi worked for her and supported the decriminalization of drugs. He accuses her of killing Naomi and Samuel. She claims Finn ordered Naomi’s death. Billy refuses to believe it. Elliot hits him and threatens to kill whoever is lying.
Ed promises to ensure Wallace and Dumani are part of the new order. Marian receives a call from Billy confirming Ed ordered the hit on Sean. Aiming her gun at Ed, she says this is for Sean. He tells her that Finn had mistresses because she is cold and never cared about family. He says he will knowing he loved and was loved. She shoots him in the head. Elsewhere, Mirlinda Dushaj (Eri Shuka) scolds Luan for bringing Danny and Shannon to their house. He says she spiked the drugs that killed Elira. She slaps him and asks if he thinks their deaths will bring her back. She expresses her desire to grieve for Elira. Irate, he insists she must pay and draws a gun on Danny. Shannon pleads for his life. He screams in agony. Elsewhere, Elliot finds Samuel’s drawing and Naomi’s framework to legalize drugs.
Upon arriving home, Billy reminds Marian of their promise to Ed. She says it’s done. He says Finn ordered the death of Elliot’s wife and her son died in the crash as well. He tells her that Isabel told Elliot but he denied it. She orders him to kill Elliot. He asks if killing is the solution. She asks if he would like to wait until Elliot comes for them. Elsewhere, Elliot informs Simone of Ed and Asif being behind the cocaine spiking. She admits to already knowing and claims they groomed her to legalize drugs. He gives her Naomi’s file and urges her to utilize the evidence to take down the gang. She gives him his confession. At the City Hall, Simone arrives for her press conference. At the factory, Billy notifies Elliot that he may know who killed Naomi and Samuel. Elsewhere, Marian watches the press conference live on TV. Simone says Henry’s murder was linked to organized crime. She praises him and promises to make his decriminalization of drugs a reality, with the PM’s support. Billy snorts drugs. Luan, Mirlinda, and Lale watch from different locations. Shannon and Danny listen while driving down the road. Simone issues a warning to organized crime syndicates.
Billy tells Elliot about Finn burying a man up to his neck. In a flashback, Finn gives teen Sean (Thomas Simpson) a rifle to shoot the man. Sean refuses to pull the trigger. Finn puts a metal bucket over the man’s head. Teen Billy (Pete MacHale) shoots a hole in it, killing the man. In the present, Billy places his gun on the table and asks Elliot how many people he killed. Elliot denies knowing. Billy says he doesn’t either, refills his glass, and admits some people he couldn’t kill. He urges Elliot to leave London because their life ruins them and no one wins. He drinks from the bottle. Elliot demands to know who killed his family. Billy gives him his gun and asks to be killed. Elliot refuses to do it. Billy claims to have been present when they were killed. In a flashback, Billy watches Zeek crash into Naomi. He shorts drugs, walks over to the car, and takes the file. Naomi says her son is in the back. Billy sees Samuel covered in blood. In the present, Billy tells Elliot that Naomi begged him to save Samuel but he let them burn. Outside the building, two gunshots ring out.
Gangs Of London Review
The episode had too many implausible action scenes to count. One example is Naomi’s car ignites and burns but the file left is untouched. When Billy approaches the burning car and takes the file, no flames or smoke are visible.
Simone’s speech about the decriminalization of drugs felt preachy, propagated, and completely unnecessary. It is a controversial topic that some support and others not so much.
Ed, Asif, and Henry were killed off. If Sky commissions a season four, the saga will continue, with Shannon, Marian, Isabel, Elliot, Luan, Danny, and Lale at the forefront. The ending alluded to Elliot killing Billy which would be a travesty in my opinion.
With Henry out of the picture, how will Simone manage? He was more qualified to be the Mayor of London than her. He managed every aspect of her campaign.
There was little about the finale to entice viewers to stick around. The episode deserves a 5.4 out of 10. Get more Gangs Of London recaps here. Learn what others are saying by visiting our forum. Check our advertising packages here. Support our site by clicking the link.