The second season of Guy Ritchie's crime dramedy "The Gentlemen" is now available on Netflix, continuing the story approximately one year after the events of the first season. The new installment offers a largely fresh narrative while maintaining connections to the previous storylines and its signature humorous tone, with a continued focus on its core characters.
The season opens with Eddie Horniman (Theo James) finding himself in a field, disoriented, with a note instructing him to "FOLLOW THE X." Three months prior, Eddie and his partner in cannabis production, Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario), have been actively expanding the illegal weed operation inherited from Susie's father, Bobby Glass (Ray Winstone), who is currently incarcerated for tax evasion. Their enterprise has grown to include production sites located beneath large estates across Europe.
Expanding the Empire and New Threats
During a gathering at Eddie's estate for a waterfowl shoot with some of their business associates, a new complication arises. Cico Maldini (Michele Morrone), an Italian fixer described as unreliable, informs Eddie and Susie that Marco Moretti, a prominent Mafia boss, is taking an interest in their Italian operations. Moretti reportedly demands a valuable Botticelli painting as a payoff. Simultaneously, Eddie is pursuing a relationship with the financially strained aristocrat Lord Hawthorne (Hugh Bonneville). Eddie's aim is to secure Hawthorne's support for his bid to join the House of Lords, which he believes will help him thwart a pending bill to legalize cannabis. However, Hawthorne appears to be developing an interest in Susie's brother, Jack (Harry Goodwins), suggesting he might want Jack involved in their business dealings.
The series maintains a fast-paced, humor-filled style reminiscent of other Guy Ritchie productions. Viewers can expect a blend of comedic moments, often enhanced by on-screen graphics, and the juxtaposition of the refined British aristocracy with the criminal underworld Eddie manages from his estate. The season promises an eventful trajectory as Eddie and Susie work to grow their empire, navigate the complexities of their business, and manage Bobby's increasingly erratic behavior. Bobby's decisions seem influenced by interactions with a spirit, the Bannik, which only he can perceive, leading to speculation about his mental state.
Character Dynamics and Performances
The chemistry between Theo James and Kaya Scodelario is highlighted as a key strength, portraying their characters as effective business partners rather than a romantic couple. The narrative remains centered on Eddie, Susie, and Bobby, preventing peripheral characters from complicating the storytelling.
In a peculiar development, the season finale shows Bobby serving his sentence in a lakefront cabin, with scratches on his back. These marks are interpreted as a sign that the Bannik disapproves of Bobby's dealings with Moretti, hinting at further supernatural or psychological elements at play. Despite these challenges, the review suggests that "The Gentlemen" Season 2 delivers a funny, fast-paced crime drama that showcases Ritchie's directorial strengths without excessive indulgence.