The second episode of Netflix's "The Gentlemen" delves into Eddie Horniman's burgeoning ambition and moral complexities as he attempts to secure his family's position within the criminal hierarchy. The narrative employs stylized on-screen text to explain intricate plots and concepts, a technique praised for its clarity and adherence to the show's tone.
During a dream sequence, American meth kingpin Mr. Johnston (Giancarlo Esposito) illustrates the symbolic meaning of royal regalia to Eddie. He explains that the scepter represents masculine energy and the orb feminine energy, with the crown symbolizing their reconciliation and the monarch's role as a unifier. Johnston asserts that Eddie possesses this unifying power, visually depicted as glowing fire.
Upon waking, Eddie's actions reflect this ambition. He expresses a desire to rule the ancestral lands as far as the eye can see and seeks alliances with powerful figures. To gain influence with Lord Hawthorne, Eddie arranges for him to spend time with Jack Glass, a boxer, in hopes of securing Hawthorne's support for entry into the House of Lords. Simultaneously, Eddie agrees to assist Marco Moretti, the head of the Italian mafia, by eliminating an accountant in witness protection as a gesture of goodwill.
Both schemes quickly encounter unforeseen complications. Lord Hawthorne is displeased when Jack Glass shows more interest in other partygoers than in him, highlighting a misunderstanding of "a night on the town." Meanwhile, Moretti's assassin, Mr. Takashi, proves to be a ruthless figure who disregards orders when the accountant's family is present.
Confronting a Moral Dilemma
Eddie and his associate Geoffrey are forced to intervene, killing Takashi to prevent further harm to innocent civilians. Eddie then takes on the burden of the assassination himself, approaching the accountant with a fabricated story about a rat problem, subtly instructing him to flee with his family. The accountant's wife appears to understand the hidden meaning as they say goodbye. However, Eddie ultimately cannot go through with the act. The situation escalates when the accountant attacks Eddie with a kitchen knife, leading Eddie to shoot him in self-defense.
In a strategic move, Eddie and Geoffrey use Takashi's body to stage a scene in Lord Hawthorne's bedroom at a party house. They then offer to help Hawthorne conceal the incident in exchange for his political backing, a maneuver compared to a plotline from "The Godfather Part II."
Family Business and Shifting Alliances
Meanwhile, Susie Glass is pursuing a potential business opportunity with Joe Green, who is interested in involving her family in the cocaine trade. Susie declines, deeming the risks too high, though she does engage in a personal relationship with him. She also interacts with Bella, who has taken over as the liaison between Susie and Eddie in England, and Moretti in Italy, following the death of Bella's previous boyfriend, Cico.
Susie, aided by Gabrielle, a former employee of Mr. Johnston, uncovers Eddie's plan to support a marijuana decriminalization bill in Parliament. Their strategy involves profiting from the legal market by selling their illegally grown cannabis at high margins. This plan diverges from the potential opposition from Susie's father, Bobby Glass.
Unforeseen Entanglements
Eddie's disinherited brother, Freddy, reappears when their mother, sister, and nephew visit him at a rehabilitation center. They discover that the center is religious and that Freddy's sponsor is John the Gospel, a fanatic and crime lord whose brother Eddie killed, setting in motion events from the previous season. John the Gospel intends to use Freddy, who harbors resentment towards Eddie, as a pawn.
The episode highlights Eddie's character, portraying him as a duke who engages in murder to maintain his family's wealth. Actor Theo James is noted for maintaining Eddie in a gray area between likability, decency, and complex characterization, fitting for the antihero of a comedic crime drama.