I write “season 1 review,” because I sincerely hope we get more seasons of The Gentlemen. Do I think Netflix was the best place for this series? No. I think it could have guaranteed itself a better future on Prime, but I’m just hoping the algorithms and whatever fake viewing data they gather is enough for more.
To be fair, I never would have thought anything more would have come along from the original film of the same name which it’s based on. The Gentlemen has been one of my favorite films since it came out some four-odd years ago, so this series coming to fruition was a supreme delight! In this, we get a new cast of characters but the premise is fairly similar. A weed-growing family empire is built underground and thriving at the estates of the wealthy who are in a financial bind. Things start to get a little shaky when Eddie Halstead takes over the estate from his late father after his older brother is passed by in the will.
Though the financial gain in helping out the Glass family peddle their wears is mouth-watering, Eddie doesn’t want him or his family involved in this criminal enterprise. It’s kind of crazy how unaware the rest of the family was to this side-hustle the deceased patriarch had going on, but if you can’t see it, why should it be your problem? Eddie meets Susie Glass, a bit of an interim leader for this weed empire while her father is serving time in a very nice prison, to discuss the future and in Eddie’s mind it has nothing to do with them staying past the start of the new year. In order to make this vision a reality, he has to sort of get in bed with the criminals to be rid of them.
As much as Eddie wants out of the weeds, it’s kind of crazy how unaffected his is by the brutality of everything. I suppose war really does harden you. Eddie and Susie make a terrific team, though you know she has his back so much because she’s hoping she can swing his desires in the opposite direction. The show almost plays out in a “case of the week” sort of way where they’re having to deal with one nefarious bonehead after another. Of course, the overarching goal is there, and there is plenty of backstabbing happening along the edges of the action. It took me a few episodes, but I came to really like this series. It doesn’t have quite the same flair as Guy Ritchie’s films, but this is another hit as far as I’m concerned.
If you like any of Ritchie’s previous work, or just The Gentlemen, or heck, just British gangster shit, then this is totally for you!