In the third episode of "The Gentlemen" Season 2, titled "Do You Reject Satan?", Lord Eddie Horniman finds himself increasingly entangled in the morally gray world of the Horniman-Glass operation, facing down labor disputes, dangerous thefts, and the growing disquiet within his own family.
Escalating Problems and a Shifting Morality
The episode delves deeper into the complex challenges of managing the cannabis empire. A batch of psychosis-inducing weed, developed by the stoner botanist Jimmy, leads to a serious accident and prompts a work slowdown among the farmhands. Their demands for better conditions, higher wages, and a profit share are met with a tense negotiation by Eddie and Susie Glass. While they offer some concessions, the refusal to meet all demands results in the firing of the ringleader, Red Ned, and a veiled threat of violence.
Eddie's internal struggle is palpable as he continues to be haunted by the memory of the accountant he killed in the previous episode. Despite assurances that his actions are beneficial to the organization, the guilt weighs on him, particularly as he witnesses the fallout of his decisions on ordinary people.
The Stolen Weed and Shifting Alliances
The conflict with Red Ned escalates when he, with his Albanian associate Kris, steals ten containers of the lethal strain of cannabis. The potential release of this dangerous drug onto the streets poses a significant threat to Parliament's decriminalization bill, adding urgency to the Glass family's efforts to recover the stolen goods. The Albanians' boss, Victor, sees an opportunity in the situation, attempting to ingratiate himself with the Glasses by eliminating Red Ned and offering his own more compliant workers. However, Eddie, demonstrating a growing ruthlessness, dispatches Victor's entire crew with the help of a sniper.
Eddie also asserts his dominance in a separate matter, forcing his neighbor Simon MacDougall to sell a property with historical ties to the Horniman family. MacDougall's initial refusal, based on perceived slights and his knowledge of Eddie's activities, is met with Eddie's chilling assertion of his intent to get what he wants, regardless of the obstacles.
Family Tensions and Shifting Reputations
Amidst the escalating criminal dealings, personal developments occur. Geoffrey is named a godfather to Charly and Nanny's child, a gesture of inclusion from Charly, who knows Geoffrey is her father. However, more ominous signs emerge regarding Bobby Glass, Susie's father. Victor's comments about Bobby's increasingly erratic behavior and rumors of him seeing things suggest a decline in his reputation and mental stability. These rumors surface in an episode focused on maintaining the organization's image, indicating potential internal instability.
Susie's growing closeness to her former associate Joe Green also draws Bobby's attention, highlighting a potential conflict between father and daughter, as Susie appears to disregard his wishes regarding the decriminalization bill.
The episode underscores Eddie's transformation, highlighting his capacity for both charm and brutal action. The narrative suggests that his aristocratic background, military experience, and current involvement in crime have blurred the lines of his morality, leading him to make increasingly difficult and ethically questionable decisions for the sake of the business.