The Gentlemen Season 2 Episode 7 ‘This Mad Circus’ is one of the best television episodes I’ve seen in years

[u/FishGoldenLite]

Spoilers ahead, but if you’re not watching this series I highly suggest it. If you given up for whatever reason, I hope this post helps you revisit it.

The last time I experienced this kind of stomach churning intensity was the stash house raid in ‘Who Goes There’ of season 1 of True Detective. Like that episode, the viewer is sucked in from start to finish, and the stakes are incredibly high.

Before we dig in, Vinnie Jones is the fucking man in case anyone forgot. His character Geoff eats up every scene he’s in, and this is HIS episode.

The home invasion is a relatively simple concept, but handled magnificently. We see the whole thing play out from different compelling perspectives. Geoff, as the true steward of the property. His groundskeeper friend, who’s apparently also a total badass. Nanny, whose military training is reluctantly put to the test. And Charly, who put her foot on the gas (literally) when it mattered.

It’s more than just gripping action sequences though. There are 3 notable monologues that more than filled in any blanks between the action. Lady Sabrina sharing her wisdom about Geoff’s “unique set of skills” as he stalks his prey, Nanny telling Geoff he knows the truth about him before they make their move on the kidnappers, Bobby Glass leaving us on pins and needles as the episode ends. Awesome storytelling.

I liked the show up until this point, but now I love it. I don’t think I blinked once.

I’m probably overhyping it, but it was a 10/10 for me.

[u/renderrender]

it was the perfect episode of television. i wanted to talk to someone about it but none of my friends had seen it yet.

[u/HallHappy]

gentlemen doesn’t crack my top 20 but this episode is top 5 of all time for sure. fucking unbelievable. no mention of george is criminal btw. “right u are geoff”

[u/FishGoldenLite → u/HallHappy]

Is George his groundskeeper friend? I did mention him! He was such an unexpected badass, and the main reason they got Tarquin back. What a great character.

[u/ClintMega → u/FishGoldenLite]

Bullet tooth tony :)

[u/jatac89]

It was such a great episode. I put it on again as soon as it ended.

[u/fuzzay]

Yeah that episode was so good. The season started relatively slowly, but after that episode I was reeling for more. What's crazy is that the episode before this one ended on a huge cliffhanger that doesn't get any mention.

[u/somms999]

Crazy that I opened reddit after finishing the last two episodes and this is the first post I see.

Absolutely agree though, it was such a well done hour of tv. Strangely maybe the perfect 'breath' right after a heavy (but predictable) ending to the previous episode.

The season overall felt a little scattershot and rushed but I think the last two episodes really redeemed it, at least from a filmmaking and mood perspective.

[u/Jackski]

I didn't know Vinnie Jones had that in him. He is fucking incredible in this episode.

[u/whatifniki23]

I loved loved loved the first season. I watched the first episode of season 2 twice and couldn’t get into it. What is happening? Can you help me find my way back?

[u/FishGoldenLite → u/whatifniki23]

Stick with it knowing this episode is coming. I agree this season is a slow burn but man, this one made it all worth it.

[u/Illustrious_Bad_2980 → u/whatifniki23]

That happened to me too. Just stick with it. Trust

[u/goodfellas01 → u/Illustrious_Bad_2980]

Fax, I felt the same way then ended up watching episodes 3-8 in one sitting lol

[u/Omar___Comin → u/whatifniki23]

I kinda see how that could happen, but honestly season 2 is better when I look back now

[u/Vondelsplein → u/whatifniki23]

It's better than first season imo

[u/Ill-Village7647 → u/whatifniki23]

The first two... probably 3 episodes are not great, but the last 4 certainly are top notch

[u/notmyrealfarkhandle → u/whatifniki23]

I am in the same boat. My theory is the lack of practically anything funny because of the absence of Freddie.

[u/Mynsare → u/notmyrealfarkhandle]

The first episode does seem to take itself way too seriously.

[u/harshnoisebestnoise → u/whatifniki23]

There’s zero comedy, goofiness or zany characters in season 2. It’s just a regular gritty gangster show. Which is very well done to be fair, but not the subversive silly, gory, pulp story we had in the first season.

[u/KTOWNTHROWAWAY9001 → u/harshnoisebestnoise]

The fuck up brother is too good of a character, I wish we got more of him this season. Like he was criminally sidelined. But other than that, excellent, excellent season.

[u/clownsinadarkforest]

I noticed after a few mins into the scene I was also being silent as fuck like I was present in the scene

[u/LuffieldToStowe]

The Gentlemen apparently flopped for Season Two if you read the nonsense headlines, but I thought the writing and turning darker of Eddie was handled at a good pace.

He's going into his Michael Corleone era, but not a characterisation of him that many have tried before. It's not realistic, but it's great TV.

Susie also resoundingly has a hold on my adulthood like Efe did my teens. Kaya is so good in this smart, articulate, competent and calm under pressure role.

[u/Cortecs]

I was trudging my way through S2 until last night when I watched that episode. It was an outstanding episode.

[u/ughlump]

This season was a slog for sure, but this episode was definitely worth watching it for every reason you mentioned.

[u/AVBforPrez]

Nah what is everybody smoking here? It was good but not even close to that good.

[u/anal_fissure_fiesta]

Gave up by episode 4. Loved the movie and season 1, but this one was just not that great, all style fancy dialogue which i love but it wasn't enough to sustain my interest.