‘Gangs of London’ Recap: ‘Season 2, Episodes 1 & 2’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season two premiere of ‘Gangs of London’. To revisit the season one finale, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that the season one finale of the stunning AMC+ series, Gangs of London, offered up a masterclass in storytelling. For it was a perfect finale really. One that closed the books on the Wallace saga by bringing their reign to a true end, all while revealing new threats and new challenges for the characters to face in the second season. Making this a satisfying and engaging finale, one that has left all of us starving for knowledge for some time now. Simply because we’ve been dying to know what has become of Elliot after accepting that scary offer and of course, what had become of London and those left behind in the wake of the Wallace family’s collapse.
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But thankfully our wait to learn more and experience more about his show has come to its end. For today marks the two-episode season two premiere of the series and thankfully… this premiere wasted little time in answering all of our questions. Since we came to learn that London, isn’t quite what it used to be under the control of the Syndicate. Because in order to keep order in the wake of a power vacuum, the bosses sent one man into the city to bring it into focus, Koba. A ruthless and bloodthirsty gangster that will straight up feed a man, bullets from his own rifle, if it meant that control and fear would rule the day and that style of leadership… has indeed transformed this city.

For it has kept all the houses in line through powerhouse fear and it has allowed for Asif to consolidate the power he craves, and it has also… brought forth resistance. For fear never produces results just trouble, not that Koba cares, but his iron grip has indeed pushed men such as Luan to use old haunts to try and resist and others… have their own plans for pushing back against the Syndicate as well. Since someone in a mysterious red car often popped up in this tale to bring about all kinds of trouble. The kind that came dangerously close to harming Koba and well… that allowed for us to come to learn what became of Elliot Carter. Who as it turned out, had been working hard around the globe, bringing the Syndicate’s enemies to their knees and end.

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Which was… a miserable existence for certain, one that became further complicated when the Syndicate recalled him to London to help Koba with his own mess. A move that resurrected old ghosts and struggles and led to one shocking moment after another. The kind that saw stunning deaths take place and a surprise reveal for the ages that we… we won’t spoil here. Because those moments are that big and that important. Instead, it is best we talk about the fact that no one likes the freakin’ Syndicate in this tale. Because everyone has beef with them, from Elliot to others from season one and that disdain and that disgust for how things are done and how Koba operates, truly sets the stage for one epic and powerful and downright philosophical season of storytelling. 
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One that quite frankly… asks an important question. In that… are gangsters privy to the same freedom that we receive in our everyday world? Because in many ways, that appears to be what everyone wants to fight for this season. Freedom from the horror of the Syndicate so they can carve their own path, and that is a fascinating question to find here. One that is snuck into a stunning pair of episodes. For these two stories are even bigger than anything we saw in season one, which is saying something since those episodes were cinematic masterpieces. But Corin Hardy’s direction here, takes some big risks that pay off and wow us every step of the way and that’s not the only magnificent wonder present in this premiere.

Because it is equally as amazing to see how so many characters have grown since the events of season one and find them in the midst of new chapters in their lives. Granted most of them are supremely dark in nature, but that’s to be expected. For the end of season one featured scorched earth, and was bountiful with blood and suffering. So, it only makes sense to be plunged into a world worse than the one we left behind and it truly compels us to continue this journey. To see if that question is answered and to see if everyone will find the peace and agency they crave and really in the end, it is just wonderful to have this series back on the air. Because this show is one of the most unique and refreshing crime shows on the airwaves, courtesy of its quality direction and writing and it will be wondrous to continue this journey in the weeks to come and see where this year’s bold concepts take us as the battle for the soul of London’s underworld continues along. Until next time.

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