Plan B

First three episodes have had me at rapt attention. And Tom Hardy does all the heavy lifting.

Harry De Souza (Hardy's lead character) recalls a bit of Ray Donovan -- at least the Ray of the first few seasons of that show, before it left L. A. -- and in this episode there was a hint of a potential storyline development similar to Barry Levinson's "Sleepers" (and Ray Donovan, for that matter) thrown in to whet our appetite.

None of what happens in MobLand is particularly new or original, but the "feel" of the story, its visual style, pacing, tone & undercurrent combine to create a very specific place, with very specific people. For the viewer, it's not a comfortable place to inhabit, but it's one that's certainly intriguing.

One thing that has me wondering so far is Maeve, Helen Mirren's character. I can't trust her judgment if she sees the whacked-out, sociopathic, black sheep Kevin as the heart and soul of the Harrigan clan. Something seems off about her. The way she has sway over Pierce Brosnan's Conrad makes me think of the way Pierce Brosnan's Liam Hennessy got played by Maggie Dunn/Sara McKay in Martin Campbell's "The Foreigner." It seems eerily familiar. I hope that's not the case b/c if it is, a lot of bodies are going to drop and a lot of blood -- guilty and innocent -- is gonna be shed.

"MobLand" has extremely colorful villains: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Geoff Bell as their adversary Richie, but the show revolves around Harry, the anti-hero vividly depicted by Tom Hardy. He can do anything, even many things at once, yet still manages to project a vulnerability.

This episode, directed by Anthony Byrne (not Guy Ritchie this time) has Harry in charge of cleaning up the royal mess created by Eddie Harrigan, with an all-out gang war seeming imminent. His "Hail, Mary" effort to coverup for Eddie seems doomed to failure, but it is still tense and exciting to see him and Kevin Harrigan (Paddy Considine) try it out.

Yet another Harrigan, Bella (Lara Pulver) has put her foot in it by betraying her dad for a fast buck but instead finding herself in the blackmail hotseat, and of course only Harry can fix her dilemma.

Like most if not all dramatic TV content, it's the writers (Ronan Bennett and Jez Butterworth) who run this show, not exec producer Ritchie. I like their pizazz (even though the C-word used as British slang in every other sentence falls poorly on my American ears), but they lost me when they introduce yet another subplot for Harry quite awkwardly and by utter coincidence when he encounters an old nemesis (prison guard) who beat him, as an obvious and digressive set-up to some future episode showdown. Clearly the auteurs believe in the "in for a penny, in for a pound" principle, but there has to be a limit to how many problems they can put on Harry's plate before the show just becomes silly.

Wow, just AMAZING! Hooked from the 1st scene! Great cast and absolutely addictive. Always a unique spin to an old subject! Intricate relationships and always teasing out the clues in a not so linear way. Each episode drops weekly, so you'll need to wait it out or binge later, if you can hold out that long. If you loved "The Gentlemen" and want more from Guy Richie, hold on tight!!!

Helen and Pierce have such great chemistry they need their own drama! However, this is Tom's show for now and his acting boots are in and kicking butt! Hopefully, just hopefully, I think we got a winner on our hands!

Ultimate luxury with breathtaking views in episode 3. Lot's of pain to Richie Stevenson a magnificent plot across London's one of the largest family. In these generous plots, personality and stylish touches abound. The unique details discovered at every turn in Harrigan family. The enchantingly modern design style dressed in the refined hues of the English country garden represent by Conrad Harrigan /Pierce Brosnan/ MobLand episode 3 is welcoming you waiting beyond the curtains and luxury cars. Wow, just AMAZING! Hold on tight! Enjoy its unbeatable views over beautiful London at a glance. Pure comfort wrapped in bright elegance, delivering exactly what your needs, action series for the perfect stay, from plenty of space and episode 3 Plan B.

This is quite simply the best drama to come along since 'Breaking Bad'!

The writing is superb. The story is fantastic. The direction combines break-neck action with character development. Nothing is as it seems. Treachery is everywhere.

I am so happy to see Pierce Brosnan (Conrad Harrigan) getting to sink his teeth into a meaty role on a hit series. Helen Mirren (Maeve Harrigan) hangs right with him brogue for brogue.

Of course, Tom Hardy (Harry Da Souza) is the star and he shines brightly as the magician juggling 10 balls at once.

It was also an excellent episode for Paddy Considine (Kevin Harrigan), as he grapples with his incorrigible son Eddie (Anson Boon).