MobLand Series Recap & Review - Episode 109: Beggars Banquet
- Chase Gifford
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
"I was taught to shoot the messenger too. Somebody playing both sides of the fence is more dangerous than your enemy." - Fabolous
Guy Ritchie has a very unique style but it’s undeniably entertaining. He creates electric dialogue, morally ambiguous characters and seems to really thrive in seedy underworlds where violence is as much of a currency as cash and in that sense his characters are always either rich or hopelessly poor and trying to remedy it through questionable means. These characters can range from drug addicts to bare knuckle brawlers to a member of an English crime syndicate.
Much in the same way American mafia stories explore themes of loyalty and betrayal and the consequences of violating these unwritten rules, a UK crime story such as MobLand addresses these same concepts, just with more worldly accents.
*I will post a recap and small review of each episode just like this every Sunday on release day. At the end of the season I will post a full review of the entire season. If spoilers are ever used, I will make sure it is obvious ahead of time to avoid any mishaps. Until the season ends, I can promise zero spoilers for the time being.*
MobLand is on Paramount +, new episodes, Sundays at 9pm PT
Starring: Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, Hellen Mirren, Mandeep Dhillon
Episode 109 - Beggars Banquet
Conrad aims to confirm his suspicions about Maeve and who tipped off Richie regarding Seraphina and Brendan. Despite Conrad’s warnings, Bella sneaks off property to continue her business dealings.
Tattersall continues to operate on both sides, supposedly to combat organized crime but his methods are proving to be less than lawful. After the incident with Richie, Fisk and Mukasa, it leaves Tattersall’s loyalties a bit scattershot. He then turns his sights to Alice, provoking her insatiable need to finally bring down the Harrigans. It just so happens to be in a way Alice knows is just shy of suicide if everything goes exactly as planned. She knows the Harrigans are unstable on a good day so maintaining a plan with them in the room is comically misguided and she knows this. But Tattersall has his ways of coercion.
In true Maeve fashion, for no discerning reason readily obvious, she confronts Gina about staying away from “her Eddy.” Needless to say this conversation is anything but cordial. Seemingly just Maeve continuing to stir the pot. As she contributes nothing but chaos and animosity, Harry, Conrad, Seraphina and Paul in tow, drive to their meeting with Jaime to discuss a potential business deal involving the fentanyl trade which would essentially cut out Richie, who currently runs it. Jaime makes his intentions quite clear at this meeting, only further angering Conrad.
While all this is happening, Kevin finally confronts his past, gun in hand and emotions running high. Nothing good can come of this.
The Harrigan shenanigans come to a head when Alice finally comes to dinner at the request of Conrad. This will prove to be quite the eventful meal complete with vulgar stories of eggs, knife and broken bottle threats, possibly a massive police incursion and of course, mashed potatoes, Maeve’s specialty.
Out of 10
Story: 8/ Acting: 8/ Directing: 8/ Visuals: 8
OVERALL: 8/10
Overall thoughts on Episode 109: Beggars Banquet -
The Harrigans appear to be faltering from all sides. Rats in their midst, open, outright betrayal among them, hidden business deals. It all reeks of an impending destabilization. I don’t trust Tattersall at all. He’s playing too many angles, potentially as a double agent but I can’t tell. His actions in the fate of Fisk and Mukasa are dubious at best. He’s either a cunning officer planning the downfall of crime families on both sides, or he’s playing policeman to gain intel for Richie.
The dinner with Alice, Jan and Harry sitting across from Maeve, Eddie and Seraphina, Conrad at the head, is double talk, hidden innuendo of the most ridiculous kind. None of it is sincere and it’s thick with it. Eventually truth comes to the forefront in more ways than one and to watch particularly Jan’s face as this easily becomes the worst dinner she’s ever attended is priceless.
Not to forget Kevin, I feel bad for him but his mind is in places it doesn’t need to be in the midst of a heated war that is seemingly just getting started. Kat McAllister has yet to showcase who she is in the grand scheme and what it is exactly that makes anyone who hears her name suddenly become uneasy. With only one episode left, a lot must come to fruition for this to be a satisfying conclusion to the freshmen season. Season 2 is confirmed so anything left at the table will still have its day eventually. Here’s to hoping for a thrilling finale!
Season 1 Trailer: