‘MobLand’ Season 2 Premieres with Intrigue and Tom Hardy's Signature Gravitas

The second season of Paramount+'s crime drama 'MobLand' has premiered, reintroducing Tom Hardy as Harry Da Souza, a competent fixer navigating the treacherous landscape of the Harrigan crime family. The opening episode, "I Wanna Be Your Dog," sets a complex stage involving family betrayal, power struggles, and the looming threat of external forces.

This season picks up with Conrad Harrigan (Pierce Brosnan), the patriarch, recently released from prison and nominally in charge. However, his son Kevin (Paddy Considine), aided by his politically astute wife Bella (Lara Pulver), is actively seeking to usurp control. The family's internal strife is further complicated by the existence of Eddie (Anson Boon), Conrad's son with Bella, who is now under the influence of Conrad's wife, Maeve (Helen Mirren). Adding to the intricate web of alliances, Conrad's estranged daughter Seraphina (Mandeep Dhillon) is aligning herself with American power broker Kat McAllister (Janet McTeer), who harbors ambitions for the Harrigan organization.

Meanwhile, Harry Da Souza finds his personal life in disarray. Recovering from an injury inflicted by his estranged wife Jan (Joanne Froggatt), he faces marital issues and the complication of their daughter Gina (Teddie Allen) becoming involved with Eddie's protection racket. The situation intensifies as Harry's associate Zosia (Jasmine Jobson) locates Gina and Eddie.

The episode features a pivotal scene at a dog track where Conrad, feeling betrayed by Kevin's independent dealings with Turkish business associates, retaliates violently. Harry, though suspecting Kat McAllister's involvement in orchestrating the conflict, carries out Conrad's orders, killing the Turkish businessmen. Harry's actions highlight his internal conflict between loyalty to the Harrigans and his growing awareness of the senseless violence.

Beyond the immediate family drama, the series introduces a broader threat from Kat McAllister, who has secured the American ambassadorship, mirroring the influence of historical figures like Joseph Kennedy. McAllister is actively seeking a pawn within the London underworld, with the help of the corrupt cop Tattersall (Toby Jones). Tattersall identifies Frankie (Johnny Flynn), a seemingly unassuming family man, as a potential candidate to lead the operation.

Directed by Guy Ritchie, the season premiere draws comparisons to his other crime thriller, 'The Gentlemen.' While 'MobLand' may lack the satirical edge and grander visual style of 'The Gentlemen,' it compensates with a powerful cast, led by Hardy, Brosnan, and Mirren. Hardy's portrayal of Harry Da Souza is noted for its understated menace, presenting him as a pragmatic fixer who views violence as a necessary inconvenience rather than a moral quandary. This approach, the review suggests, raises deeper questions about Harry's motivations and his continued service to a destructive system.