MobLand (1×06) Antwerp Blues Review

For our review of the last episode of MobLand, click here.

For those who have patiently waited for the inevitable war to commence between the Harrigans and the Stevensons, you need not wait any longer. While the murder of Tommy Stevenson did not seem to truly move the needle as far as their already heated relationship was concerned, that, and some choice words at Tommy’s funeral appeared to finally kick it into high gear. The clear puppet master at this point, Maeve continued to play all her chess pieces to near perfection. Mostly a prelude for what is to come, but for real this time, the episode was all about getting the family together in order to keep them safe. However, some were certainly more jazzed about it than others, as they faced the reality of the world in which they were living. Though, in the midst of everything else going on, Seraphina and Brendan were off doing their own thing, having everyone believe that they had gone rogue. Arguably making themselves into east targets, of course it would be up to Harry to rescue them but would they need to be? At the bottom of the family totem pole, it’s hard to blame them for even trying to do something to help. Even as a prelude, there was still plenty to unpack here.

Following the sudden explosion of Vron Stevenson’s car, the focus of the Harrigans was to ensure their safety, anticipating a response from the Stevensons, rather than taking time to assess the situation. However, making his second appearance at the mechanic shop, Donnie (Alex Fine) finally got Harry’s attention after mentioning who his boss was. Upon hearing the news of what had happened, it was time to round everyone up. At his point, Jan is used to it (bonding over her situation with Bella), Gina, not so much. In other news, the episode did not waste any time with revealing who was responsible for the bomb, if Conrad is to be believed (it was clearly Maeve). Conrad or Maeve, the next step was what to do next. Pushed over the edge, it was time for war. Richie was a man of few words, leaving them a one word warning.

Remembering Brendan and Seraphina, it was up to Harry and his team to find them. In their case, they now found themselves in Antwerp, Belgium. executing the former’s diamond deal under the steady eye of Seraphina. Taking the Harrigan helicopter, Harry was off to retrace their steps so he could find them before it was too late, but their biggest threat may not be the Stevensons. Continuing to play the board, Maeve would throw Brendan and Seraphina under the bus by giving their whereabouts to her old friend Richie. Meanwhile, though not the perfect situation by any means for Jan and Gina Da Souza, it did not take long for them to be turned off by their new surroundings. Already on edge because of Conrad, the former was not going to let her daughter fall under his clutches.

Through their transaction, Brendan would show his true colors as his insecurity manifested itself in an outburst spawning out of his need to not be upstaged by his sister (Seraphina was well aware of her business partner’s many flaws). Inspecting the merchandise herself, it met her standards but the deal may not go any further. As Harry raced to their location, a hit team arrived to eliminate everyone on site, setting up a cliffhanger.

In a war that will surely lead to casualties on both sides, the most pressing issue is whether or not Maeve will get away with it. Helen Mirren shines at the conniving Harrigan matriarch but she can’t stay in the shadows forever.

Score: 74/100

*still courtesy of Paramount+*

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.