What is the plot?

The episode "Stick or Twist" begins with a tense scene where Harry Da Souza, a trusted fixer for the Harrigan crime family, attempts to mediate a peace between two warring gangs. These gangs have been involved in a long-standing feud and are crucial distributors for the Harrigans' heroin operation. Harry's goal is to find a common ground that would allow them to coexist peacefully, ensuring the smooth flow of their illicit business. However, after much deliberation, both sides agree to shake hands but refuse to apologize to each other. This stalemate prompts Harry to report back to Conrad Harrigan, the head of the Harrigan family.

Conrad, realizing that any truce would be temporary and potentially lead to further violence, decides to take drastic action. He instructs Harry to eliminate both gangs, reasoning that this would prevent future conflicts and maintain control over the London heroin scene. Harry follows Conrad's orders, and in a shocking turn of events, both gangs are killed in a violent confrontation. Conrad himself participates in the execution, finishing off one of the leaders personally. This act sets the tone for the ruthless nature of the Harrigan family and their willingness to use violence to maintain power.

Following the elimination of the gangs, Conrad sees an opportunity to fill the void in the heroin market. He sends Archie with an offer to the Maltese, another group involved in the trade, hoping to secure a better deal. The Maltese agree to pay 20% more than the previous arrangement, making the violent purge seem like a calculated business move.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Conrad's grandson Eddie Harrigan is out partying with Tommy Stevenson, the son of Richie Stevenson, a rival of the Harrigans. Despite the danger of their association, Eddie and Tommy decide to visit a club in Mayfair. Inside, a minor altercation escalates when Eddie stabs a young man named Hughie. This act of violence scares Tommy, who is already wary of Eddie's unpredictable behavior. After the stabbing, Tommy leaves the club, and Eddie follows him to the riverbank. There, Eddie disposes of the knife by throwing it into the Thames. Tommy expresses his fear of Eddie's actions, but Eddie dismisses his concerns with laughter.

The next morning, Eddie's father, Kevin Harrigan, contacts Harry to inform him about Eddie's late-night activities. Kevin mentions that Eddie returned home with blood on his clothes and hands. Around the same time, Richie Stevenson discovers that his son Tommy has not returned home, setting the stage for potential repercussions from their night out together.

What is the ending?

The ending of MobLand Season 1, Episode 1 "Stick or Twist" concludes with a tense and violent power shift within the Harrigan crime family. Conrad Harrigan kills Archie, a close associate suspected of betrayal, but his reaction afterward reveals deep internal conflict. Maeve Harrigan, Conrad's wife, appears to be the true manipulator behind the scenes, influencing Conrad's decisions and possibly orchestrating events to benefit rival factions. Meanwhile, Eddie Harrigan's reckless actions escalate tensions between crime families, and Harry Da Souza, the family fixer, is left to clean up the chaos, setting the stage for ongoing power struggles.

Now, a detailed, scene-by-scene narration of the ending:

The episode's climax unfolds after a chaotic night involving Eddie Harrigan, who stabs a man in a club, sparking a crisis. At a garage used as an operations front, Kevin and Bella, Eddie's parents, confront Harry Da Souza, the Harrigan family's trusted fixer, demanding he manage the fallout from Eddie's violent outburst.

The tension escalates when Conrad Harrigan, the family patriarch, confronts Archie, a close ally suspected of betrayal. In a brutal and public act, Conrad kills Archie, signaling a ruthless power play to maintain control. After the murder, Conrad, visibly shaken and wild-eyed, attempts to retreat upstairs. Maeve Harrigan, his wife, approaches him with a comforting touch, but Conrad snaps at her sharply, revealing a fracture in their relationship and hinting at Maeve's deeper influence over the family's affairs.

Maeve's role becomes clearer as the episode closes: she is not just Conrad's partner but a calculating mastermind who has manipulated key decisions, including Conrad's lethal choice against Archie. This suggests Maeve's loyalty may lie elsewhere, possibly with rival factions, as her actions seem to benefit the Stevenson gang, the Harrigans' adversaries.

Meanwhile, Eddie's reckless behavior continues to stir trouble. He lies to Harry about his involvement with Tommy Stevenson, a young man who disappears after being with Eddie, raising suspicions and increasing tensions between the families. Eddie's father, Kevin, is concerned and frustrated, especially after noticing Eddie's bloodied state, which contradicts his story.

Harry Da Souza, tasked with cleaning up the mess, remains a central figure, embodying the family's attempt to maintain order amid chaos. The episode ends with unresolved questions about loyalty, power, and the true control within the Harrigan family, setting a dark and complex tone for the series.

In terms of character fates at this episode's end:

  • Conrad Harrigan remains the nominal head of the family but is emotionally unstable and possibly losing control to Maeve.
  • Maeve Harrigan emerges as a powerful, possibly duplicitous figure manipulating events behind the scenes.
  • Eddie Harrigan's reckless actions have endangered the family's standing and escalated conflict with rival gangs.
  • Harry Da Souza continues as the fixer, responsible for managing the fallout and maintaining the family's operations.
  • Archie is dead, killed by Conrad in a shocking act of betrayal and power assertion.

This ending highlights the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the shifting power dynamics within organized crime families, emphasizing that appearances of control may mask deeper manipulations and fractures.

Is there a post-credit scene?

The first episode of MobLand, titled "Stick or Twist," does not have a post-credit scene. The episode ends with significant plot developments, including the disappearance of Tommy Stevenson and the escalating tensions between the Harrigan and Stevenson families, but no additional scene after the credits has been reported or described in available sources.

What is the role of Harry Da Souza in the episode 'Stick or Twist'?

Harry Da Souza is a fixer for the Harrigan crime family. He attempts to mediate a peace between two warring gangs but ultimately follows Conrad Harrigan's orders to eliminate them, as he believes any truce would be temporary. Later, he is tasked with cleaning up after the Harrigan youths cause chaos.

What happens to Tommy Stevenson after the club incident with Eddie Harrigan?

After the club incident where Eddie stabs a kid, Tommy is visibly shaken and curses Eddie out for his actions. Tommy's whereabouts become unclear as he does not return home, causing concern for his father, Richie Stevenson.

How does Conrad Harrigan handle the situation with the rival gangs?

Conrad Harrigan decides to eliminate the rival gangs after Harry Da Souza fails to broker a lasting peace. He sees this as a strategic move to maintain control and expand his empire, even if it means using violence.

What is the dynamic between Eddie Harrigan and Tommy Stevenson?

Eddie Harrigan and Tommy Stevenson are friends despite being from rival crime families. Eddie's reckless behavior, such as stabbing someone in a club, scares Tommy, who is already wary of the risks of their friendship.

What role does Maeve Harrigan play in the episode?

Maeve Harrigan is portrayed as a decisive and fearless figure within the Harrigan family. While Conrad can be indecisive, Maeve is willing to make tough calls, suggesting she might be a significant influence behind the scenes.

Is this family friendly?

MobLand, Season 1, Episode 1: "Stick or Twist" is not family friendly and is rated TV-MA for mature audiences only. The episode contains several elements that are likely to be objectionable or upsetting for children or sensitive viewers, even though detailed scene-by-scene breakdowns for this specific episode are not available in the provided sources. However, based on the series' overall content warnings and tone, here are the types of potentially disturbing content you can expect, described in a general, non-spoiler manner:

The episode opens with a tense, atmospheric introduction to the Harrigan crime family's world, establishing a mood of underlying threat and moral ambiguity. Early scenes depict the family's close-knit but ruthless dynamic, with characters demonstrating loyalty through acts that blur the line between protection and intimidation. The emotional undercurrent is one of simmering tension, as characters navigate a landscape where trust is scarce and betrayal is lethal.

Violence is a central element. There are scenes of physical confrontation, including sudden, graphic acts of violence such as beatings and stabbings, often accompanied by significant bloodshed. These moments are not stylized or glamorized but presented with a raw, visceral intensity that underscores the brutality of the criminal underworld. The violence is not gratuitous in a narrative sense--it serves to establish stakes and character relationships--but it is explicit and may be distressing.

Language throughout is harsh and frequent, with pervasive use of strong profanity, including multiple instances of the f-word and c-word. The dialogue reflects the characters' hardened lives and the high-stakes environment they inhabit.

There are brief moments of sexual content and nudity, though these are not the focus of the episode. Such scenes are presented matter-of-factly, in keeping with the series' adult tone, and may include partial nudity and suggestive situations.

The emotional tone is one of paranoia and dread. Characters are often shown in states of anxiety, suspicion, or cold calculation, their internal struggles visible in subtle gestures and expressions. Loyalty is constantly tested, and the fear of betrayal is palpable. Even in quieter moments, the threat of violence looms, creating a sense of unease.

In summary, "Stick or Twist" contains explicit violence, strong language, sexual content, and a pervasive atmosphere of tension and moral ambiguity. None of these elements are suitable for children, and sensitive viewers may find the graphic nature of the violence, the intensity of the profanity, and the overall bleak tone to be deeply unsettling.