In a gripping episode of “MobLand,” the aftermath of Tommy’s funeral unfolds with escalating tensions, hidden agendas, and unexpected confrontations. The serious nature of grieving turns on a dime. As the story unfolds, characters show their true intentions, bringing longstanding grudges and power plays within the Harrigan family and their business partners to light.
The harrowing day starts with Harry catching a glimpse of Freddie amidst the sea of mourners on the first floor of the wake. Through all this Freddie’s eyes never leave theirs. It’s the subtext implied by his secretive nod toward the garage — plans and conspiracies that may lie just beyond the light. While this is happening, Maeve places an early-morning mysterious call to her henchman Paul, moments before Vron’s car blows up. The timing is particularly suspect. It implies that Maeve could be doing a whole lot more when it comes to the larger unfolding drama than we had initially thought.
As the wake continues, tensions start to simmer just under the surface. Harry informs Kev that Richie wants everyone to attend both the wake and a post-service reception at the Stevenson home. While Richie remains stoically grieving in public, he has an agenda to pursue at home, personally with vendettas, especially against Conrad. Tensions intensify between them as Richie stands up to Conrad. He does so with remarkable frankness, as he unashamedly shares his long-standing racial animosity towards Conrad and his family.
Meanwhile, Conrad and Harry begin to conspire in secret to get ready for war. They pack a carpet bag full of weapons to sneak into the Stevensons’ house on the morning of the reception. This decision shows that all is not what it seems at Tommy’s funeral. Underneath that polite veneer, old family feuds are waiting to explode into deadly confrontation.
As if that wasn’t enough, Richie’s wife escalates the tension further by verbally assaulting Maeve, cruelly deriding her appearance in front of a room filled with mourners. This confrontation is a clear example of the fragility of their exclusive alliances and reveals the hatred that lies beneath them.
Harry’s not one to wait for help from above, so he takes matters into his own hands. He picks up a duffle bag filled with weapons and explosives and goes to a local pub, obviously preparing for an upcoming confrontation. By these actions, he’s telegraphing the message that he’s prepared to double down to defend his turf, mission be damned.
Brendan, seeking his father’s favor, makes a bold move by brokering a lucrative deal, hoping to solidify his position within the family hierarchy. This move shows that in times of mourning, ambition and competition can still take precedence over authentic sadness.
As the action of the screenplay continues, Vron approaches Richie lying down asleep on his couch. Then he leans in and asks Richie if there’s anything he can get him. The sweetness of this seemingly innocent gesture only underscores the tension that exists within these characters. In the course of this extended vacation, Kevin’s damaged history is repeatedly and inescapably invoked. He is tormented by traumatic memories of his childhood inside and his psychic scars only hint at the load of emotional trauma that almost every player carries in this complicated network of connections.
Amidst the chaos, Maeve awakens from a hangover, fueled by a roofie that Kev had slipped her at the service. Her white-hot anger in response to this gut punch demonstrates just how deeply dishonesty and betrayal cut, even in the most intimate exchanges, with this cohort.
Harry’s power is displayed further when he confronts and scares Eddie after chasing him outside, commanding him to return downstairs. The brilliance of this act of aggression is that it exposes the power structure beneath. Actors jockey for opportunities amid mourning and retribution.
In a rare, devastating moment of vulnerability, Maeve advances to go after Vron. She says she’s sorry for his loss, and all of the tension that has lingered in their exchanges dissipates. This simple act of compassion is a shining example of what it means to be human in an often dehumanizing world.
In the end, “MobLand” documents the birth not only of a funeral but of a potentially explosive convergence of rage, aspirations and bitter grievances. From both the reader’s and characters’ perspectives as relationships develop and morph, it is clear that friendships and alliances change in a heartbeat.
“People Ain’t No Good” – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
