‘MobLand’ Episode 2 Recap: Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan Break Down the ‘Psychosis’ Tearing at the Harrigans

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⚠️ WARNING: This discussion includes spoilers about episode 2, titled “Jigsaw Puzzle,” from the series “MobLand” which is currently available for streaming on Paramount+. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid any potential spoilers!

This week on “MobLand,” we find ourselves in the wake of last week’s events, as Harry, played by Tom Hardy, aids the Harrigans in tidying up the location where Conrad, portrayed by Pierce Brosnan, took Archie’s life (Alex Jennings).

Kevin (Paddy Considine) explains the events leading up to Archie’s death to Harry. He reveals that Maeve (Helen Mirren) publicly labeled Archie a traitor, and Conrad subsequently shot him. While struggling with the act of killing one of his long-time friends, Conrad is comforted by Maeve, who believes their actions – eliminating Archie and taking over the fentanyl trade from the Stevensons – are necessary steps to take.

[Conrad] is in a precarious state,” Brosnan stated during an interview with EbMaster. “He’s bordering on a particular form of madness that he can’t fully control. He heavily depends on Maeve’s direction and support, as they are almost like two parts of the same whole.

Following the arrangement of Archie’s funeral services at a nearby funeral home, Harry makes his way back home. A brief memory resurfaces, showing us how Harry and Kevin first crossed paths in prison when they were both young adults. By then, Harry was serving his third sentence, while Kevin had been arrested for an armed robbery, benefiting from his father’s influence, which resulted in a less severe punishment.

Currently, Harry manages to slip into bed only to have armed police forcefully enter his home, break down his door, and take him away in handcuffs, all while his wife Jan (Joanne Froggatt) and daughter Gina (Teddie Allen) watch. At the police station, he’s interrogated by DS Ivan Fisk (Luke Mably), who implies that Archie is deceased and suggests Harry should distance himself from the Harrigan family as soon as possible. Remaining silent, Harry is subsequently led out of the station by the Harrigans’ lawyer, O’Hara (Lisa Dwan).

Later on, it’s discovered that Fisk is involved in a unit working on the Harrigan case, and mysteriously, someone made an unidentified phone call to them revealing that Archie had passed away.

In the meantime, Richie Stevenson (Geoff Bell) is on a mission for vengeance, seeking answers about his son Tommy who has gone missing. He suspects Kevin is connected and pressures him, believing that Eddie, Kevin’s son (Anson Boon), holds vital information. Richie gives Kevin an ultimatum, demanding to know where Tommy is within an hour and to produce Eddie. Kevin alerts his family, instructing his wife, Bella (Lara Pulver), to relocate Eddie to the home of Conrad and Maeve for his protection.

Later, we observe Daniel Betts (portraying Brendan Harrigan) seeking assistance from his estranged sister, Seraphina (played by Mandeep Dhillon), at her jewelry store. Due to some questionable business transactions, Brendan has fallen out of favor with their father. He hopes that Seraphina can aid him in reconciling with Conrad. However, Seraphina, cautious due to Brendan’s past mistakes, promptly dismisses his request.

In another part of London, Bella makes a trip to see her long-separated father, who holds a prominent position within the government. Her aim is to set up a conversation between this influential figure and an unspecified acquaintance. This individual seeks to leverage her father’s government connections in exchange for financial compensation.

In the words of Hardy, the gap separating individuals within the criminal underground and the upper levels of society and government is not as vast as one might assume.

Hardy noted a striking similarity between the upper class and pirates: both embody an authenticity without pretense. It’s the middle class that grapples with self-identity, while those who assert ‘I am what I am; if you don’t agree, then leave me alone,’ are essentially lawbreakers. Criminals express their defiance in a straightforward manner, much like pirates. The upper class exhibits this same bluntness, but in a more refined and polite fashion.

While traveling to Harrigan’s mansion accompanied by Harry’s colleagues Zosia (Jasmine Jobson) and Kiko (Antonio González Guerrero), Eddie is ambushed by Stevenson’s henchmen. A gunfight erupts, culminating in Zosia and Kiko successfully neutralizing the attackers. Upon reaching the estate, Harry confides in Conrad that he believes Archie might have been a snitch, as Fisk moved swiftly to apprehend him after Archie’s demise.

During our journey to Harrigan’s property with Harry’s coworkers Zosia (Jasmine Jobson) and Kiko (Antonio González Guerrero), Eddie is assaulted by Stevenson’s goons. A firefight erupts, ending with Zosia and Kiko eliminating the adversaries. Once at the estate, Harry shares his suspicions with Conrad that Archie could have been a mole, given how rapidly Fisk arrested him following Archie’s passing.

In this scenario, Maeve and Eddie have a conversation. Eddie is distressed because he feels like a failure due to his family’s perception of him. Maeve consoles him, praising him for his actions at the club where he stabbed someone. Eddie confesses that he derived pleasure from the act of stabbing, and Maeve responds by giving him a small amount of cocaine as a reward.

Eddie appears to be basking in his family’s reputation, yet he acts in ways completely contrary to what’s appropriate,” Hardy stated. “It’s crucial not to draw unwanted attention or scandal onto the family, but that seems to be what he’s doing. However, it’s evident that he’s being swayed by something.

Later on, I (as Maeve) express to Conrad my belief that Eddie represents our future, given his straightforward acceptance of being a criminal. It’s evident that I hold significant influence within our family, but Conrad gently reminds me that he remains the one in control.

Conrad understands his own manipulation, as stated by Brosnan,” said Brosnan. “Conrad’s current situation is due to Maeve, and he’s fully aware of her considerable influence. This awareness creates a great deal of turmoil.

Harry returns to London, hoping to reconcile with Richie. However, Richie seems intent on revenge. He warns Harry that if Tommy isn’t found quickly, Gina will face consequences. At home, Harry learns from Jan that she’s contemplating divorce due to a missed therapy session they had arranged. He updates her about the Stevensons, assuring her and Gina are not at risk.

Harry persists in looking for young Stevenson, yet he encounters Bella at a London hotel initially. She shares with him her intention to present her father to one of her contacts, a move Harry had cautioned against earlier. Intriguingly, she proposes something to Harry, but he merely suggests that she waits in the hotel until the Stevenson matter settles down peacefully.

Next, Harry locates the pair of boys that were with Eddie and Tommy Stevenson on the evening when Tommy went missing. These individuals claim they don’t know what became of Tommy, but they do disclose a significant detail: Eddie was acquainted with the nightclub manager who had pretended not to recognize Harry during Episode 1.

At the nightclub later on, Harry and Kiko severely attack the manager. Eventually, he confesses about the fate of Tommy. Towards the end of the show, he reveals to Harry a storage trunk hidden at the back of the club, which holds Tommy’s fragmented remains.

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2025-04-07 00:17