Guy Ritchie's "The Gentlemen" season two pivots from its established comedic roots, attempting a dramatic retelling heavily influenced by "The Godfather." This tonal shift, while aiming for ambition, largely sidelines the quirky characters and British criminal underworld humor that defined its predecessor, opting instead for a more somber, albeit visually striking, narrative.
Season two sees Duke Eddie Horniman (Theo James) fully embracing his role within the criminal enterprise, driven by a desire to seize power from the aging cannabis kingpin Bobby Glass (Ray Winstone). This ambition is fueled by frustration with Bobby's increasingly eccentric leadership, including advice from a "mythical sauna sprite." Eddie's journey is marked by a constant scowl as he navigates the pressures of being both a criminal and a member of the House of Lords.
While season one benefited from the dynamic between Eddie and Bobby's daughter Susie (Kaya Scodelario), her role in the second season is diminished, often finding her caught between conflicting allegiances. She does find a potential alternative path through an old flame turned cocaine dealer, Joe (Tyler Conti), and the chemistry between Scodelario and James remains a notable element, though their characters are frequently kept apart both personally and professionally.
The season's attempt to portray Eddie's suffering and growth often falls short. Brutal beatings leave no lasting marks, and attempts to replicate devastating moments from "The Godfather" lack emotional weight because Eddie's attachments to what he loses are not sufficiently established. Many potential antagonists are presented as easily overcome or arbitrarily decide to support him, and the rival billionaire Stanley Johnston is reduced to offering platitudes about lineage.
Key comedic characters from the first season are noticeably absent or underutilized. Jimmy Chang (Michael Vu), Susie's chief weed grower, provides brief moments of humor dealing with labor disputes and experimental products, but these subplots are resolved too neatly. Eddie's older brother, Freddy (Daniel Ings), whose chaotic presence was a highlight, is confined to a rehabilitation facility for the entire season, leaving a void in the show's comedic fabric.
New additions to the Horniman family, such as Eddie's status-obsessed brother-in-law Nanny (Benjamin Clementine), fail to significantly enhance the narrative. Nanny's obliviousness to the family's criminal dealings and his dismissive attitude towards the groundskeeper Geoff Seacombe (Vinnie Jones), Charlotte's father, serve more as a narrative impediment than a source of intrigue.
Despite these narrative shortcomings, "The Gentlemen" season two remains visually impressive, featuring opulent sets and elaborate costumes. Ritchie's signature action sequences and chaotic shootouts are present, though often undercut by excessive close-up shots that detract from the lush scenery. Humorous moments do surface, such as money launderer Chucky Kubra (Guz Khan) detailing a restaurant scheme or Eddie's quest for a prized falcon to gain favor in the House of Lords.
The season concludes by setting the stage for a third installment, promising further developments for Eddie, his family, and Bobby Glass's operations. However, the review suggests that Ritchie should learn from Eddie's ambition and avoid straying too far from the elements that made "The Gentlemen" successful, focusing on the U.K. criminal underworld rather than less successful international expansions. The series is currently streaming on Netflix.