MobLand invites viewers into a gritty underworld where ruthless men are bested by formidable women, and young delinquents glorify violent confrontations. The second episode, titled “Jigsaw Puzzle,”resumes the suspenseful narrative left off at the conclusion of its predecessor. Following the shocking act of betrayal where Conrad (Portrayed by Pierce Brosnan) murders his longtime associate Archie (Played by Alex Jennings), Harry Da Souza (Tom Hardy), an adept fixer for the Harrigan family, steps into the fray to tidy up the mess. For those who might need a refresher while waiting for the wordy recap to diminish, Kevin (Paddy Considine) is there to fill Harry in, supplemented with flashbacks to jog the memory.
This episode, however, reiterates familiar scenes, plagued by a lack of progression. A chaotic and poorly shot car chase sees characters reversing their routes only to return to where they started, the scenes leaving little tangible impact. In multiple encounters, characters exchange bits of information that could have streamlined previous conversations, presenting a painfully stagnant narrative. Harry revisits a nightclub only to encounter a body, something he logically should have discovered during his initial visit. Despite these repetitive sequences, the storyline remains stagnant, lacking a clear trajectory forward.
MobLand Lacks Momentum Leading the Story Forward
Insufficient Action to Support the Slow Narrative Pace
In a continuation of its first installment, MobLand episode 2 appears indifferent towards propelling either Harry or the Harrigan family into the unfolding story. The narrative opts for a leisurely pace, with only hints of a broader plot. While this gradual development was charming in the pilot, the absence of engaging slice-of-life moments in the second episode leaves the characters seemingly adrift, traversing aimlessly between points without significant growth or understanding.
The framework of an enthralling plot exists but remains ensnared within a convoluted love triangle involving Harry, Jan Da Souza (Joanne Froggatt), and Bella Harrigan (Lara Pulver), Kevin’s wife, who is oddly sidelined for a majority of the episode. While the potential for compelling storytelling exists, the tonal discrepancies among these intertwining arcs dampen engagement. The dynamic between Conrad and his scheming wife Maeve (Helen Mirren) hints at a tragic Shakespearean saga, yet even the enjoyable presence of renowned actors like Brosnan and Mirren cannot sustain the weight of such a sluggish pace.
Lack of Engagement with Characters and Their Situations
Tom Hardy Shines as a Compelling Character
While metaphorical exchanges and competitive one-liners can add flair, they ultimately muddy the narrative concerning how the aging Harrigans have risen to power. The family’s internal strife suggests a band of misfit criminals rather than a cohesive operation. Notably, the series doesn’t justify the declining effectiveness of the Harrigan clan. DS Ivan Fisk (Luke Mably) presses Harry for assistance in dismantling the Harrigans, asserting their weakened grip on power, which leaves viewers pondering the real reasons for the police’s intensified focus on the family.
The storyline hints at a looming threat toward Harry’s daughter from the menacing Richie (Geoff Bell)—a development arising from the diminishing importance of Tommy Stevenson (Felix Edwards) if certain spoilings are true. The family dynamics intertwining with the impending gang warfare culminate in a potentially explosive anticipation. Hardy’s versatility and chemistry with the cast elevate what would otherwise be a monotonous storyline, but the question remains whether the narrative will eventually introduce the progress needed to fully engage the audience.