#anti Lizzie Shelby

[huntzbergered]

I’m trying to get back into Peaky Blinders, and I feel like Lizzie’s enhanced role really plays directly into why the show became less appealing

That and the family dynamics falling apart, w everyone beefing, dying, or going off their rockers. Like there’s only so many “Arthur is off the deep end” and “Tommy alienates the whole family” arcs we can follow tbh. Not sure why the show didn’t just call it quits by s4/5. Esp w Polley, John, Grace etcetc all gone and Michael posed as an enemy.

[emotionalcadaver]

I'm curious. What is the one thing you don't want to happen? /I read tags

lfkjdhkljfhk I was actually just debating whether or not to make a post about this! 😂

I don't normally express my *opinions* on Lizzie and Lizzie x Tommy here because I absolutely hate the feeling of raining on other people's parades, but I don't think that this really counts as bashing, so I'm just gonna leave it here and put it under a cut so those who don't agree can just scroll on by. This is just my opinion, guys! No hard feelings or anything if you feel differently!

I really don't want Tommy and Lizzie to get back together in the movie.

Lizzie's character went through so much development in finally accepting that Tommy can't be who she wants him to be and breaking free from him, and I feel like it would be a massive disservice to both characters, but particularly her, to force them back together. That storyline was closed pretty definitively at the end of season 6, and I honestly don't think that there's time to be reopening and focusing on it when we've only got about 3 hours max to work with as far as runtime. And there are just so many other aspects of the story that I think would be far more interesting to explore.

She was so miserable the entirety of their marriage, and deserves to be free of the Shelbys and their bullshit and to either be happy on her own with Charlie or go find that nice, normal man that she so badly wanted Tommy to be post season 4, and finally have some peace and happiness.

And Tommy deserves to not be locked in a marriage with someone who only loves the fantasy of him that she's projected onto him, or to be weighted down by feeling like he's failed her by not being able to be someone he's not. I think that they could be happy co-parenting Charlie together, but outside of that, I really feel like they should go their separate ways.

I always had the interpretation that Ruby was the only thing holding them together. And that the moment she died, so did their marriage, effectively. I do think that they cared for each other, but I don't think either of them really were in love with the other (as mentioned above, I think even Lizzie only loved her fantasy of Tommy, and not who he actually was). And by the end they both just seemed to bitter and resentful of each other. So it's really hard for me to root for them to end up together.

Anyway, I've always gotten the feeling that most people in the fandom strongly feel like they are *the* couple of the show and are passionately in love and should be together, so I shall now go hide under a rock to avoid the barrage of shouting likely to commence in my comments and inbox 🙃

[tommygrace]

I'm a fan of grace and tommy x grace who was harassed by the user mrkdvidal and his followers. I didn't even get into arguments, but there he was, harassing us and sending his friends to us. It will sound ridiculous, but now I'm a little afraid to show my love for Grace and her union with Tommy after that experience. Reminded me of that whole anti-grace tag incident 🤣😭

Aww yes, most of us Grace fans went through that. I did have a fight with him, to defend Grace, because he started insulting her, and calling her a bitch, and the actress, and he tagged her, then I saw it, and I defended her, he became completely aggressive, he went to my blog and started insulting everything I wrote on my blog. There I realized that this person is completely sick in the head, it was clear that he was not normal. But that didn't stop me from continuing with my blog, and from continuing to love Grace, and I love her much more after that, and I love being on this Team. I began to analyze Tommy and Grace, and the two marriages, and Lizzie's fans began to attack me anonymously, insulting, or threatening, things like that. So my advice is to ignore them and continue loving this great couple Tommy and Grace, and our queen Grace.

[bed-of-ashes]

god I wanna add the hermit/empires girls to the life series so bad. desperately wanna see ms falsesymmetry wreaking havoc on the pvp game with gem. i need nature wives trying to live out the game like 3rd life flower husbands only to go red and suddenly become very dangerous. ms stressmonster charming her way into op items. theyd kill me I need them added

grian would NOT know what to do with the fem alliance of pearl/cleo/lizzie/gem/katherine/shelby/false/stress. man could not deal with the anti video game sexism team and i want it so bad

[passerineee]

hi! i’m passerine! this is my about me because u probably should’ve made one a long time ago.

i’m a writer, violinist, singer, and occasional artist.

i’m genderfluid, and alternate between she/they, he/they, and they/them. if you’re not sure of my pronouns, just use they/them. i’m also trans, asian, avian, therian, and agrosexual.

my avian side is a kea parrot hybrid, which means i’m half kea parrot and half human. i’m also a red fox therian!

as for my sexuality, i alternate between A TON of them, so i’ll give you the basic rundown.

the two sexualities i’m most often is homoromatic pan and omnisexual leaning towards women. when i’m using he/they, i’m usually homoromatic, and when i’m using she/they, i’m usually omni. i’m also always polyamorous. my other sexualities that i sometimes am are: demisexual, asexual, aromatic, and aroace.

i have alexithymia (the inability to express or recognize emotions), and kinda ADHD, except it’s mostly the HD and instead of not being able to focus, i hyper fixate on things. i also have restless leg syndrome, which makes me unable to stop fidgeting my legs, and means i lack vitamin E

also this probably isn’t relevant, but fun fact: i’ve changed my name three times, so i can technically tell you my name rn bc it’s not my legal name. (i’m not going to tho bc it feels weird. i might in the future.)

also with people i’m closer w irl i prefer nicknames, but with people i don’t know very well i prefer my real name.

i’m a fan of mcyt, specifically Lizzie (LDshadowlady), Pearl (PearlescentMoon), Gem (GeminiTay), and Shelby (Shubble), but i also watch grian, scar, scott, joel, and others!

dni interact if you’re:

anti-therian/otherkin/otherlink/etc.

homophobic

transphobic

racist

a wilbur soot supporter

just anybody who’s negative to a valid cause

[msfbgraves]

Getting a bit worried that so often when tv writers write an aspirational man, a 'real tough guy', they write him as an asshole.

Cobra Kai's Johnny Lawrence, early Dean Winchester, Whedon's Mal Reynolds (when Whedon wrote him) and Paul Ballard. Tommy Shelby. Short fused, short tempered. Dour. Dismissive of other people's feelings. Violent. Obsessed with Their One Purpose - so boring as heck outside of it. Unimaginative. Anti-intellectual: do you ever see these people engage in song, or dance, or culture other than maybe film? Do you ever seen them clean up after themselves (Johnny Lawrence had to fumugate his roaches)? Any interests other than sports? These men are created by storytellers, but they're too cool for stories. Goodness, if they earnestly ran a hardware store they would be more interesting to have a drink with.

Ok so these types are dull as a brick. But what really scares me is the female exploitation that so often comes with it. If a man's "actual role" is violent asshole, a woman's "actual role" seems to be disempowered sex object, and these stories will not rest until their female characters are put in that position (OK, not so much Cobra Kai, but the surprise unaborted pregnancy is on thin ice; also, most of the show has only two adult female characters with anything resembling an arc. The other girls are minors). Buffy gets a sexbot. Cordelia gets usurped by a demon more than once. Kaylee gets threatened with rape, Inara gets assaulted by a bounty hunter (and who can forget the floated gang raped by reavers subplot). Grace and Lizzie get assaulted. Yes, they usually let the villains pontificate about the fact that all women are whores. But gosh don't they like writing in violent scenes the real men can save them from.

Women write plenty of romance in which this simply doesn't happen, and there is still plenty to tell. But 'real men' must have their object it seems, and I keep wondering why. Why they feel that is something that has been 'lost'. The only times when this behaviour is commonplace in history and now is during violent invasions. No one likes those. What are they dreaming of?

Why dream of boring, violent men committing or at least watching horrible abuse?

[lucien-calore]

Welcome to my blog!! My name is Amanda, my pronouns are she/her and I'm a proud Brazilian. I'm a huge extrovert, so i love talking to people!!

READ MY DNIF (DO NOT INTERACT IF) LIST BEFORE FOLLOWING

JUST SCROLL DOWN AND I PROMISE YOU'LL FIND IT

My fandoms:

Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard

Throne of Glass series by Nehemia Ytger

A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Lucien Vanserra

Harry Potter series by Emma Watson

The Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo

The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black

The Riordanverse in general

Top Gun: Maverick

Peaky Blinders

My Favorite Characters

Red Queen

Tiberias "Cal" Calore VII

Kilorn Warren

Lucas Samos

Evangeline Samos

Elane Haven

Iris Cygnet

Throne of Glass:

Chaol Westfall

Dorian Havilliard

Manon Blackbeak

Elide Lochan

Yrene Towers

Nesryn Faliq

Lorcan Salvaterre

Aedion Ashryver

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Lucien Vanserra

Azriel

Elain Archeron

Gwynneth Berdara

Nesta Archeron

Eris Vanserra

Helion

Lady of Autumn

Harry Potter

Draco Malfoy

Theodore Nott

Blaise Zabini

Luna Lovegood

Ginny Weasley

Narcissa Malfoy

James Potter

Regulus Black

Sirius Black

Remus Lupin

Dorcas Meadowes

Marlene McKinnon

The Grishaverse:

Kaz Brekker

Inej Ghafa

Jesper Fahey

Wylan Van Eck

Nina Zenik

Matthias Helvar

Zoya Nazyalensky

Nikolai Lantsov

Genya Safin

David Kostyk

Alina Starkov

Tolya Yul-Bataar

Tamar Kir-Bataar

The Riordanverse

Jason Grace

Percy Jackson

Piper McLean

Nico Di Angelo

Will Solace

The Folk of The Air

The Ghost

Cardan Greenbriar

Jude Duarte

Top Gun: Maverick

Jake "Hangman" Seresin

Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw

Natasha "Phoenix" Trace

Peaky Blinders

Esme Shelby-Lee

John Shelby-Lee

Finn Shelby

Thomas "Tommy" Shelby

Ada Thorne née Shelby

Elizabeth "Polly" Gray née Shelby

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Shelby née Stark

Arthur Shelby

Gina Gray née Nelson

My Favorite Ships:

Red Queen

Calorn (Cal x Kilorn)

Marecas (Mare x Lucas)

Evane (Elane x Evangeline)

Evare (Evangeline x Mare)

Sharley (Shade x Farley)

Throne of Glass

Chaorian (Chaol x Dorian)

Malide (Manon x Elide)

Nesrene (Nesryn x Yrene)

Rowcan (Rowan x Lorcan)

Fenaedion (Fenrys x Aedion)

Sorchahemia (Sorcha x Nehemia)

Celehemia (Celaena x Nehemia)

Herrin (Hollin Havilliard x Terrin Westfall)

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Luzriel (Lucien x Azriel)

Gwynlain (Gwyn x Elain)

Neris (Nesta x Eris)

Helloa (Helion x LOA)

The Folk of The Air

Ghardan (The Ghost x Cardan)

Jucasia (Jude x Nicasia)

Harry Potter

Dreo/Dragonott (Draco x Theo)

Linny (Luna x Ginny)

Jegulus (James x Regulus)

Wolfstar (Remus x Sirius)

Dorlene (Dorcas x Marlene)

Pandalily (Pandora x Lily)

Narlily (Narcissa x Lily)

Nobleflower (Narcissa x Alice)

The Grishaverse

Helnik (Matthias x Nina)

Wesper (Jesper x Wylan)

Tolnej (Tolya x Inej)

Kazper (Kaz x Jesper)

Zoyalai (Zoya x Nilolai)

Gevid (Genya x David)

Genyalina (Genya x Alina)

Zoyalina (Zoya x Alina)

Zonya (Zoya x Genya)

Darkolai (The Darkling x Nikolai)

The Riordanverse

Jercy (Jason x Percy)

Pipabeth (Piper x Annabeth)

Valdangelo (Leo x Nico)

Reynalia (Reyna x Thalia)

Frazel (Frank x Hazel)

Top Gun: Maverick

Sereshaw/Hangster (Hangman x Rooster)

Payboy (Payback x Fanboy)

Peaky Blinders

Jesme (John Shelby x Esme Shelby)

Pollyrama (Polly x Aberama)

Finnsiah (Finn Shelby x Isaiah Jesus)

DO NOT INTERACT IF:

• you are a manorian shipper

• you are a maven calore fan/stan/defender/apologist

• you are pro the inner circle

• you are anti any of my favorite characters and/or ships (specifically chaol, chaorian, malide, nesrene, cal, calorn, draco, jason and/or jercy)

• you are pro sjm and/or jkr

• ANTI ZIONISTS

i hope you enjoy your time here and feel free to message me and/or send me an ask anytime!!

[vole-mon-amour]

I am not sure I will have the energy to write a decent post on this later, so here is this: Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Stark reserved so much better. She deserved to know what her husband is up to. She deserved to know that he is grieving, too. She deserved to know that he DID love her and was not saying this for whatever reason. She deserved to be trusted and loved the way the show portrayed he always wanted Grace which is an absolute nonsense. Lizzie deserved to have her husband by her size when their daughter was dying. She deserved to carry all his secrets and not be cheated on—again, for whatever reason. If he claimed to love her, there was no such reason to cheat on her. Lizzie deserved to feel safe, well cared for, LOVED. At some point it was Ada who cared about Lizzie much more & I even started wishing that it was Ada and Lizzie who shared the same house and the same bed and were supporting each other through every battle. Even Charles saying Lizzie is more of his mom than Thomas is his dad. I don't understand why they needed to create such drama for s6 where the plot weren't moving at all & they wasted all the opportunity (Ruby was supposed to be a Hollywood star! Like Polly predicted!), but I know that Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Stark deserved so so sooo much better. I loved her and I loved their couple with Tommy that I am really sad and disappointed about what the writers did to her and to them. Portraying as if Grace was his tribe soulmate, hunting him everywhere, when she wasn't even accepting him and his life and his personality. While Lizzie has to sit through every one of his nonsense and be by his side. Say goodbye to their dying daughter and making excuses for why Daddy isn't there. I can't say s6 was good & I can't fully feel for the finale. As glad as I am that Thomas is okay, as much as he can be with his ptsd & hallucinations, the creators completely ruined that part that I loved very much and cheered for. Thomas and Lizzie were so soft, so in love, and in the end?? Like, I shipped Tommy and Alfie a little, but I wanted for my canonical couple to be happy together. We couldn't even get that.

Well, at least Lizzie said that she would blow up the house and Thomas did it. And he was wearing the wedding ring till the very beginning which, you know, kinds shows that Lizzie DID mean something to him. Still, it wasn't nearly enough. The grief and disappointment I feel about the writers ruining Lizzie and Tommy's potential as a couple and their future... It is kind of unbelievable. Not to mention what Lizzie succumbed to be as a character for the couple of last seasons. God, she was so cool. I loved her so much. Now it's just empty and numb. Will forever love and miss my girl.

upd: I specifically tagged this post as an anti Tommy x Grace. I don't want to see your opinion. I don't want to discuss that ship or Grace. block me please and be on your way. if you're a Grace fan, keep whatever you have to say to yourself. show some restraint for once.

[evita-shelby]

Cursed

Part two.

Part one

Cw: suicide, mentions of past cheating, refrences to an abortion, murder and the usual Peaky Blinders dark themes

Gif by @peakyblinded

“You lied to me, Grace. You told me he was mine, you told me you had been with no one else but me.” Tommy is bruised physically and emotionally, but his voice never rises against her.

He is not the type to hit or even yell at a woman, and Grace feels relieved to know that.

“I’m sorry, Tom. I thought he was, but when I realized that he was Jack’s---” she found herself lost for words.

“It was too late.” He finished for her.

“What will happen to us?” She asked, afraid of what will become of them.

“We’ll divorce, I’ll be generous and provide for the two of you. Given that you refused to let me adopt him and his birth certificate shows your late husband as his father, we will say that he is his son. Charles will be Charles MacMillan just as you still are Grace MacMillan.” He explained as of she was an employee and not his wife.

You don’t even deserve his kindness, Clive says in her ear.

“And what will we say?” the world isn’t kind to divorced women, especially women who cuckold men.

“That it didn’t work, that I cheated on you and that it was my fault.” That is was my fault for trusting you, she can hear it.

“I’ll leave Arrow House and go to London, I'm expanding my offices there anyways and I won’t be spending time here.” He added.

I’m leaving you. You have lost me forever.

“Did you think karma wouldn’t find you, Gracie dear?” Clive laughs over her shoulder.

The household looks at her with pity especially when Tommy leaves with his things and has what’s left moved to a room far from hers.

Its then that Grace decides that she will only be here until the divorce is finalized.

He hasn’t touched her since that day, she and Charlie live in Arrow House and he lives in London.

There is no chance for reconciliation, no chance that he will accept Charlie as his son after the reveal.

Whatever love they had was killed by her.

Her fourth casualty.

She calls Clive’s mother, tells her a sanitized version of the events and reveals that Charles is Clive’s son.

“We will take the boy, but not you.” The woman says in her thick Irish accent.

So she calls her family, praying that she could have a life with her son without being a burden for Tommy.

“Charlotte told me what happened, even worse, she told me she had an interruption after falling pregnant under your roof. Some maids had a field day with the gossip. The best we could do for you is to get you to Boston and have you live there under an assumed name.” her uncle, General Curran, said. “Better dead than a divorced whore.”

---

“It has to look real.” Grace goes to the only person who can kill her.

Tommy hadn’t been able to pull the trigger, Michael had trembled like a leaf before retching into a vase, so it falls on the one woman who can: Polly.

“I may be able to help you with that.” This isn’t the same Polly she met. No, this one has dark circles under her eyes and a sickly undertone to her skin.

This one can see ghosts, sees Clive smothering her with his presence and communicated with him as if he were alive.

This one would kill her in truth, but either way Grace has lost all that she had.

She lost herself the second she returned to England, she lost Tommy with her lies and now she’s lost Charles.

Death would be a kindness.

“He wants to marry Lizzie, you know. Says she’s the only woman he can trust now.” Polly says as she aims the gun at her forehead.

“I wish them well and tell Tommy I never meant to hurt him.” Grace shuts her eyes on instinct as the bullet is fired.

----

Grace Helen Shelby died, and Helen Nelson was born.

She is a barmaid, who helps her neighbor who has too many children and no husband to help her.

Helen likes to keep up with news in England, Boston and Ireland.

Helen isn’t hurt when she reads about Thomas Shelby who has become an MP and his wife, Elizabeth, and their daughter, Ruby.

But Helen cries herself to sleep whenever the Macmillans are photographed with the boy who was once hers.

“Did you really think karma wouldn’t find you, Gracie-dear?” Clive says as the woman aims her old gun at her temple and pulls the trigger

[gonnabreakhisheart]

after watching the first two seasons, I have to say, I FUCKING HATE TOMMY SHELBY. He is a TERRIBLE person with zero point zero redeeming qualities!!! D:

this past season...WTF. what he did to Lizzie...disgusting. 

as he was sobbing while walking away from his grave I was just like, “oh you’re fucking crying for yourself?? are you crying for Lizzie?? Or Michael??? or Polly? Or any of the innocent victims of your bullshit this season?” 

also, the Finn/Michael and Grace/Lizzie parallels were really fucking illuminating. basically, if you’re a real person to Tommy, then he gives a fuck about your suffering. but if you’re “just” a prostitute or a cousin, then your safety and wellbeing is just not a big concern. and better yet, he sooo doesn’t give a fuck about Michael that Polly ended up getting hurt as well. you’d think he’d give a fuck about his family members being raped at least because Michael and Polly are both important to the business, and they’re not going to be as useful to Tommy if they have PTSD (or...more PTSD, really). but no, Tommy is such a selfish a-hole that he can’t even foresee that getting Michael out of jail would have benefitted himself in the long run. besides, he had MUCH more important things to focus on, like cheating with Grace (who also has no redeeming qualities--they deserve each other so perfectly!).

also, I know this is a rant-post about how much I hate Tommy, but special mention has to go to how up-her-butt Grace is. a dude got SHOT mere feet from where she was sitting and she literally didn’t notice. how the fuck was she ever a spy? and she’s so MEAN. like, that might seem petty in a show where people are slicing each other with razor blades, and children are getting tortured and Tom Hardy is murdering people during religious holidays >_< but Grace is honestly a horrible bitch for no reason. May was being perfectly civil and Grace is like, “oh, I’m so clever and moral. and so much better than you. how dare you date my boyfriend when he was single and I was married.” how the fuck does she have a single moral ground to stand on? she cheated, lied, betrayed, and then acts like she’s so desperately in love. sure, I totally buy that she’s madly in love with the guy she barely dated, barely knew, and banged twice. sounds legit

Grace’s horribleness compounds Tommy’s horribleness, because he thinks she’s the greatest thing ever, and also apparently the love of his life? Tommy is a gangster and I’m still judging him for forgiving and dating Grace. Like, Tommy, I know you’re a terrible person and all, but try to have some standards. I can’t get over Tommy using Lizzie like that though, especially after what happened with Grace. like, Tommy, the last time you tried to exploit a woman for personal gain you BARELY got there in time. but of course, this doesn’t matter because it’s Lizzie, not Grace. like how it didn’t matter because Michael, not Finn, got thrown in prison. Ugg, if only Tommy had the dignity to “get lost” when Esme suggested it. Or maybe just listened to Esme from the start, and then none of this would have happened. But then again, when does Tommy do anything sensible? It’s much easier to make risky plays for $$$, and piss off corrupt cops, and have innocent people pay the price.

[harleyinhell]

im about to take tommys kids away with if he doesn’t change his tune right the fuck now. and im not a fan of kids. they’re cute but i don’t want any of my own. especially some rich kids. yet here i am, removing those shelby kids away from that household- lizzie can most definitely come with us too. mwah mwah

[huntzbergered]

Ok like once again, WHY is it Lizzie???

Of all the people

We have May back!!! WHY LIZZIE

Who asked for this!!! WHO

I want names.

Fucking hell lizzie gtfo

[emotionalcadaver]

Part 13: Dance of Darkness

Fandom: Peaky Blinders

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Grace Burgess x OC

Summary: Tommy and Lucy spend a little more time with May.

Word Count: 3,445

Notes: Warnings for references to violence.

Previous Chapter • Series • Fic • Next Chapter

Chapter 8: Temptation

“What happened here?” Lucy asked, brushing her fingers along the scrape that marked Tommy’s right temple.

“I went to the Digbeth Kid’s grave site to give his mother the first payment from the fund,” he said glumly.

“She hit you?”

“Only a few times. It was the ring that scratched me.”

“Mm,” she ghosted her fingers along the red markings once more before dropping them. “How was the meeting with Campbell?”

Tommy let out a bitter chuckle, leaning back in his chair. “You remember those Irish people who blew up the Garrison? The ones I had you look into?”

“Irene O’Donnell and Donal Henry?”

“Mhm. They’re working with Campbell.”

She straightened. “Irish working for the King?”

“Funny, isn’t it?”

“What did they want?”

He reached into a drawer, and pulled out a file, handing it to her. “For me to kill this man.”

Thumbing through the pages, she frowned. “Why?”

“They weren’t particularly forthcoming with that information.”

“Hm…” she rested the knuckles of one hand against her lips as she scanned over the papers. “You tell Campbell about how Henry meets with anti-treaty Paddies in the backroom of the Mother Red Cap in Saltley?”

“Yeah. I also told him that he needs to take care of Henry first before I even think of taking on the assignment.”

She closed the file and handed it back to him. “Good. Donal Henry’s an ass.”

“You’ve never even met him.”

“I know what you’ve told me about him. And I’ve heard the reports from our men who have followed him. That’s more than enough to convince me.”

∗ ∗ ∗ 

“Donal Henry’s dead,” she told Tommy as soon as the doors to the office were shut behind her. “They just found the body and confirmed it.”

Looking up from his desk, Tommy’s eyes darted away, nodding.

“So, shall we start planning the murder, then?”

“I suppose so.”

They began to pour over the file Campbell had given Tommy in earnest. Lucy kept chancing glances up at Tommy as she leaned back in one of the chairs in front of his desk, a leg crossed over the other. He was hunched over his papers, sighing and pressing his fingers to his temples, massaging circles into them while he cleared his throat. It was unsettling to see him looking so anguished and stressed, to the point that she considered suggesting to him that he just let her take the whole assassination on by herself.

Brows furrowing, Tommy pulled his hands back, staring at the bloodied smear that stained his fingertips. The rubbing had torn open the scabs on his temple from where the Digbeth Kid’s mother had struck him. He stared at his hand for several long moments, before closing the file and putting it in a drawer, clearing his throat as he stood to get a drink from the shelf, wiping a rag over his fingers.

There was a knock at the door, Lizzie poking her head in to tell them that there was someone here about the accounts clerk position they’d put an advertisement for in the paper. There was mumbling outside the office as Lizzie ushered the man in, and then approaching footsteps, the door closing.

“Michael?”

Lucy looked over her shoulder to see the boy smiling, and grinned to herself, turning back to face Tommy’s desk as she shook her head fondly. Good to know that the incident back at the auction hadn’t scared him off, she supposed. 

He was a stubborn one, not dissuaded by Tommy’s attempts to tell him that the position was already filled, listing off his qualifications after setting his application down and taking the empty seat next to Lucy in front of the desk. 

When he was done, Tommy put his glass of whiskey down and picked up the phone, setting it down in front of Michael.

“You phone your mother,” he gestured to Lucy and she stood, following him as he headed to the door. “Good luck.”

Lucy snorted. “Poor kid,” she said, once the doors were closed. Tommy chuckled.

“He did make a compelling argument for himself, though.”

“Mhm. And it would be nice to have the vacancy finally filled. The work’s starting to pile up. You think Polly will actually agree to it?”

Tommy sighed as they headed for the doors leading outside, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Maybe. She’s been better, since he got back, but she’s still…”

“Unpredictable?”

“She’s very protective of him.”

“Understandable.”

He hummed in agreement. “But could cause issues. And not just regarding this. You heard him in there. He’ll be eighteen by the end of the week. I think she still sees him as a little boy, in a lot of ways.”

“Not exactly the way that a young man wants to be treated,” Lucy huffed, pulling on her cap as they stepped out onto the street. “Only so much we can do, though.”

“Mm. I’ll try talking to her. Give her some assurances.”

∗ ∗ ∗ 

“May!” Lucy rushed through the kitchen into the main part of the betting shop, heading straight for the brunette standing in the middle of it all, wide eyed and looking a little lost. John was standing in front of her, incredibly close. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Hello, Lucy,” May greeted, looking relieved at the presence of a familiar face. 

“Sorry that I’m late,” Tommy cleared his throat as he came in behind her. “There was a family matter. Esme, keep it locked up for a minute.”

“Yes, Thomas,” Esme said.

“I’ll show you around,” Tommy told May. John didn’t move, continuing to stare at Tommy with a mischievous look on his face.

“John, scram,” Lucy said. He snorted, but spun on his heel and headed to his office.

May began to wander about curiously, eyes still wide as Tommy explained where the offices were and how they conducted business.

“When I drove into Small Heath I thought I was going to get murdered. Then I mentioned your name. It was like being escorted to see a king,” May leaned against the desk across from them.

“You came here to get my girl, right?” Tommy asked. Lucy bit her lip at the potential double entendre that was there, elbowing him just lightly enough to be subtle. He shot her an amused look for a fraction of a second.

“Right,” May said.

“Come with us, then,” Lucy beckoned with her head, and May followed them outside and down the road to Charlie’s yard, where the horse was being kept.

“This is Charlie. Charlie, this is May Carleton,” Lucy introduced them. “And Curly.”

Curly waved excitedly at May while Charlie gave her a respectful nod. 

“Go get her, Curly. Go on,” Tommy said. The stableboy rushed off, returning a moment later leading the gorgeous gray filly by the reins. 

“She looks in very good condition considering she’s not been out on the gallops,” May began to approach the horse, assessing her. Tommy stroked the horse’s snout. Lucy gave her a little kiss between the eyes. 

“So what time is your box van coming?” Tommy asked.

“Midday.”  

“You’ve got time to take the lady to the Garrison. Show her the spa and the tearooms,” Charlie said.

“Very funny,” Lucy glowered at him playfully.

“I’d like that. Why not?” May interjected. Lucy shot Tommy a look. He shrugged.

“All right, then.”

“Do you keep other horses at the yard?” May asked, as they began the walk to the pub.

“Tommy has a stallion. I have a chestnut filly. We take them out riding, whenever we get the chance,” Lucy said. May nodded.

It was quiet in the Garrison, when they stepped in. Empty.

“I just had it done up. There was a fire,” Tommy went behind the bar, asking May what she would like to drink. 

“It’s so early, but gin.”

Lucy hopped into a chair at the bar. May slid into the space next to her. Close enough that Lucy could smell the flowery scent of her perfume. Tommy grabbed a bottle and a glass, placing it in front of May and pouring the clear booze until it nearly touched the rim. May looked somewhat horrified.

“Goodness. With something?”

Tommy’s eyes darted to the glass of liquor, up to May, then back again. Lucy pressed her knuckles to her lips to try to hide her smile. He looked so utterly confused. Like the idea of a mixed drink was an entirely new concept to him.

“Like what?”

“Tonic water or…”

Lucy giggled. Tommy turned back around to stare at the shelf of booze behind him. “Uh…” he cleared his throat. “We have, um…cordial,” he snatched up the bottle, went back to May, nodding to her glass. “There’s not much room in there, but…” he poured the cordial in, stopping just when she was worried that the glass might overflow. He gave Lucy a glass of whiskey, before pouring one for himself.

“Do you want to fuck me, Mrs. Carleton?” he asked, turning to face her, leaning against the bar in front of May, who looked like she’d been dangerously close to choking on her drink. Lucy raised her eyebrows. Wouldn’t exactly have been the approach she personally would have taken in regards to them all getting into bed together. But she couldn’t deny Tommy’s success rate, so she’d let him work without interjection. “Perhaps because I…perhaps because I represent something to you?” he pulled out a cigarette. “We should have this conversation before the booze starts talking for us,” he explained at May’s perplexed expression, striking a match.

May looked to Lucy, eyes wide. Lucy just smiled at her, shrugging. Betting that the woman was smart enough to be able to figure out the whole arrangement on her own without needing it spelled out for her. May’s eyes darted between them. Yes, definitely smart enough.

She spoke slowly, clearly choosing her words carefully, as she explained that she was there purely because of the horse. And the money Tommy was paying her to train her. 

Lucy eyed her carefully, not entirely sure she believed her. But certainly not willing to push the subject anymore, should she be wrong. Tommy let it go as well, simply raising his glass in a toast to their horse and the Derby. Lucy clinked her glass with his before drinking.

“So is that what you say to women?” May asked.

“Sometimes,” Lucy volunteered. Tommy shot her a look. She just grinned around another sip of her drink.

“Only if I don’t know what they want,” he said.

“And what if they don’t want to fuck?” it sounded funny, to hear such a seemingly posh woman curse like that.

“Then life is simpler.”

“You want a simple life?”

Tommy scoffed, placed both hands against the bar. “Do I look like a man who wants a simple life, eh?”

“So what do you want?”

“For what I’m paying you, Mrs. Carleon,” Tommy leaned forward. “I want a horse that will pay out at Epsom on an each-way bet.”

May reached out and pulled the cigarette box Tommy had left on the bar and pulled it closer to her, fumbling with it as she began to talk about the background checks she had done on him. He had no credit record, but she had heard about the medals he’d won for his time in France.  

Tommy looked down, face contorting for a moment, just a moment. Like it almost always did whenever someone brought up his medals. “Does that really impress you, Mrs. Carleton?”

“Call me May.”

Lucy felt one side of her lips pull up in a smile. Aha. Progress.

“And you…” May turned those big doe-eyes onto Lucy. “I heard quite the shocking stories about you when I made some enquiries about you in London.”

Lucy bit her lip, setting her glass down and fingers almost immediately starting to fidget with her rings. “Yes, I’m sure you have.”

May frowned. “We need not discuss it any further, if you’d prefer. You hardly know me, but…” she straightened up in her seat. “I am sorry for what happened to you.”

Lucy blinked. So few people had actually said that to her. She wetted her lips. “Thank you,” she was not quite sure what else to say. 

“You seem to have done quite well for yourself, though…”

“Mm. Yes, I suppose you could say that,” Lucy looked to Tommy, who was leaning against the bar in front of her, watching the interaction shrewdly. One side of his lips pulled up when he caught her glancing at him.

“When I saw you two at the auction I was certain that you had to be married,” May was looking between them curiously. 

“We’re not.”

She raised an eyebrow, looking half amused. “Yes, you said that before,” her eyes danced in a way that made it clear her words were not intended to be malicious or even prying. “And yet it still seems to me that you are married, in just about everything but in name.”

“You didn’t seem shocked when I asked you about fucking,” Tommy pointed out.

May chuckled. “I think you’ll find, Mr. Shelby, that the posh can be just as debauched as the poor. In that we are the same. The scandals I could tell you about…”

“Well, we need to arrange a time to talk that,” Lucy grinned. “I’m always eager to collect good blackmail material should I ever need it.”

May laughed. “I would enjoy that, I think, so long as you’re willing to tell me tales of life as a gangster,” she looked them both over. “I think that this partnership will be quite informative and educational for all of us.”

The door opened, and Finn stepped in to inform them that the box van had arrived. Tommy dismissed him.  

“You know, I still don’t know what you’re going to call your horse,” May commented.

Tommy hesitated, thinking it over. “The horse will be called Grace’s Secret.”

Lucy almost dropped her glass, jerking with the name, eyes widening as she stared at Tommy, heart suddenly aching with the reminder of the woman that they both missed so much.

∗ ∗ ∗ 

“Well, don’t you both look fancy,” Lucy grinned as she stepped out of her flat, locking the door behind her. 

Polly smiled, smoothing down the material of her dress, tightening her fur coat around herself. “Thank you, Lucy.”

Tommy had gone by to pick up Polly before Michael’s birthday party, and to talk about the possibility of employment for Michael. “I see that no one is sulking or has a black eye, so I’m assuming talks went well?” she asked, as all three of them began to walk towards the Garrison.

“We had to bump up the rate to four bob,” Tommy, said flashing Polly a good natured smile. “And I promised to keep him away from the old business.”

“Fair enough.”

As she walked past him when he held the door open to the pub, he whispered into her ear. “You look nice.”

She felt herself blush. She wasn’t even wearing anything all that exciting. Just a somewhat nicer, more form fitting suit than the ones she wore normally. “Thanks.”

Arthur, John, Finn, and Esme were all already crowded into the snug. Plopping down in a chair next to Tommy, Lucy nudged Arthur with the toe of her shoe.

“How’s London treating you?”

“Oh, it’s the best, Luce. You’ve got to come down, sometime. See the club now, eh? Now that we’re in charge,” he grinned at her from over his glass. She nodded politely. Arthur and the Black Country boys had taken Sabini’s club, the same one that they’d visited when leaving their message to Alfie. Arthur was technically in charge of running it. Considering the man’s new proclivity for snow, she wasn’t entirely sure how long that arrangement would be able to go on.

The door opened. “There he is. Look,” Arthur straightened as Polly came in with Michael. Everyone stood, cheering in congratulations, wishing Michael a happy birthday. Tommy handed him a leather case, inside of which Michael found a golden pocket watch, and when he informed that his employment had been accepted, his face broke into a massive grin. Tommy raised a toast, and they all clinked their glasses together. 

Lucy leaned subtly into Tommy’s side, smiling as everyone at the table started to play a round of cards.

“If I find out you’re cozying up to me to sneak a look at my cards, I’ll be very cross with you,” Tommy threatened into her ear, even as his thigh pushed against hers under the table.

“Pfft. I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s just a little cramped with so many people in the snug, that’s all.”

“Mhm,” he snorted. She beamed at him, looking him up and down. She couldn’t wait to get him in the privacy of their own home later, where she could snuggle up to him openly without fear of anyone noticing. 

When she looked across the table, it was to find Polly staring at them, eyes narrowed. Lucy shifted, her warm mood cooled somewhat at having those dark eyes staring at her, somehow accusingly, though Lucy couldn’t possibly imagine what for.

Polly was too smart not to have some notion of what was going on between them. While they were not open about their relationship, they also weren’t always the most restrained when it came to certain things–touching specifically. They were constantly struggling–and more often than not failing–to not hold hands, brush against each other, link arms as they walked…and they’d admittedly gotten even sloppier with it as the years went by.

No, certainly Polly had to know what was going on between them. There was no way she didn’t, even if none of them actually acknowledged it.

And yet, for some reason, the thought of it finally being made official just how much Polly knew about their relationship terrified her.

∗ ∗ ∗ 

He watched as the men around him unloaded the crates from the boats, giving a vague, noncommittal answer as Johnny Dogs asked him how his life had been.

“But Tom, really, come on. How is it? You know I hate to see you not even married yet,” Johnny crowded in closer, grinning. “I have a fine looking cousin, she would make your life hell. You deserve her. We haven’t had a good old wedding in a long time,” he chuckled. Tommy smiled, eyes glancing over to where Lucy was helping to coordinate the unpacking, running a hand through her auburn hair. “Surprised that you haven’t hitched yourself to your lovely Red Demon yet. Pretty and wild as she is.”

Tommy shot him a look. Johnny laughed. “Not as subtle as you think you are, Tom. I see things,” he pointed to his eyes, still smiling gleefully.

“Lucy isn’t interested in marriage, Johnny,” Tommy said. And it wasn’t like he was ever going to push the issue on her. And he couldn’t argue with her reasoning; the expectations and duties that came with being a wife certainly were not the type of things that Lucy would enjoy. Sitting at home all night, cooking, cleaning…no. His Lucy needed to be a part of the action. Running about with them men. Or else she would lose her mind from boredom. It wasn’t something he was in any rush to do, either. They loved each other. They were together. That was all that really mattered to him. Though she knew that the offer was open, should she ever want it. 

“Too wild to truly be tamed, eh? Nothing wrong with that,” Johnny laughed good naturedly.

“Have you had a look inside these boxes, Johnny?” Tommy asked, eager to steer the conversation in a less personal direction.

“Why do I want to look at car parts, Tommy, when I haven’t even got a car?”

He put an arm around Johnny’s shoulders, explaining in a low voice how he wouldn’t mind should one piece of merchandise go, ahem, missing, every now and then. But no more than that. That would be tax. And they didn’t pay tax. Johnny mumbled his understanding. 

“Good man,” he patted him on the back, stretching up until he caught Lucy’s eye and beckoned for her to follow him. She jogged over to him, and he began to make his way up the stairs, where Billy Kitchen met him halfway.

“I put an iron door on. We’ve got bars on the windows and across the skylights,” Billy reported.

“Good.”

“So what will you be keeping in here, Tommy?”

“Temptation, Billy,” was all he answered, vaguely. “Temptation.”

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Thank you for reading! Please consider leaving a comment, reblog, or like. I always appreciate feedback and love getting the opportunity to interact with you and hear your thoughts!

[craziigamerchick]

Tommy x Grace - Tommy x Lizzie Anti-Parallels

I wanted to make a breakdown post about how both relationships have the same things happen (baby, marriage, May, working for Tommy) but have totally different outcomes. This is really long. Just warning you.

lets start with season 1:

The church confession vs sidewalk pickup

Similarities

He sets them both up for failure. “You’re a good catholic girl aren’t ya?” and “That’s 8 bloody pounds.”

Offers them a job. Grace - book keeper and Lizzie - prostitute (she’s supposed to have quit). They both accept.

They both get upset when they realize he is calling them out. “you pull a pint like someone who’s thinking about it” “John will make his own decision but he will have all the facts”

The face caress. This actually what made me realize how similar these scenes were.

Differences

He takes Grace from the street to a church while with Lizzie he just stays on the street.

He’s happy Grace accepted the offer but upset Lizzie did.

When Grace gets upset and goes to leave he stops her but with Lizzie he lets her go.

Him and Grace kiss after the face caress where Lizzie slaps his hand away.

In the scene with Lizzie he constantly has the upper hand but with Grace, she knocks him off balance a bit “and perhaps mine”.

END RESULT: GRACE - Tommy leaves first and both are feeling pretty good. LIZZIE - Lizzie leaves first and both are upset

season 2:

Sex scene with Lizzie vs sex scene with Grace

Similarities

SEX. I think this is the only similarity but I could be missing something.

Differences

L&T are almost fully clothed where G&T are naked 

L&T have groaning. G&T there is only music.

Lizzie does most the talking afterwards in their scene. Tommy does most of the talking with Grace.

Tommy leaves Lizzie right after and stays the night with Grace

The lighting is more warm with L&T and more cool with G&T

Pays Lizzie money and not Grace.

END RESULT: GRACE - he stays the night with her  LIZZIE - he leaves right away

First scene after both women have accepted the job

Similarities

Tommy wants a letter delivered

Differences

Tommy tells Lizzie the information of the letter and she is actually the one that writes it. With Grace he doesn’t let her in on the details of the letter he wants her to deliver.

Grace is brought up in the scene with Lizzie (her letter from NY). Lizzie is not in G&T scene.

Tommy and Lizzie are together when scene ends. Tommy leaves during scene with Grace.

Grace asks questions. Lizzie none, just relays information.

Lizzie seems to be awed by who the letter is to (churchill) and Grace comes off as suspicious of him having her deliver a letter to his sister.

Grace over steps her bounds with the champagne and Lizzie does everything pretty much perfectly

END RESULT: GRACE - Tommy leaves and Grace is upset with him. LIZZIE - Tommy stays and him and Lizzie are in good spirits with each other

Using Lizzie at the end of s2 vs using Grace with Kimber (both are at the races)

Similarities

Tommy uses both women. Grace to close the deal with Kimber and Lizzie to get Russel alone.

He instructs them about their apparel. Lizzie to undo 2 buttons. Grace to wear a red dress.

Neither lady is too pleased with him and both let him know it.

Differences

Tommy makes it in time to save Grace from getting raped but not Lizzie

He never planned on saving Grace but did where as he planned on getting to Lizzie on time but didn’t

Once he seen what Kimber was doing to Grace he rushed in but when you could clearly hear what was going down with Lizzie and Russel, he kept at the same pace till he made it to them (wtf though. this will never fail to piss me off. like you can clearly hear Lizzie in pain and he can’t even run to her)

There was dancing and flirting with Grace but none of that with Lizzie. Lizzie tried to convey her feelings to Tommy but he wasn’t even paying attention.

Grace kept her voice a whisper when told what to do even when pissed. Lizzie raised her voice and even threatened Tommy.

Tommy kills Russel but not Billy Kimber (not then)

He tried to comfort Lizzie (she ain’t having it) but not Grace

Tommy made it to Grace because he came early where with Lizzie he would have made it in time even though he had to go around if he wouldn’t have went to Campbell to just to gloat about Grace’s feelings for him. 

He put his plan in jeopardy to save Grace and put Lizzie in jeopardy to gloat to his enemy.

MY THOUGHTS: There has to be way more that I’m missing but these aren’t just one scene each and there is so many layers behind all of the scenes.

END RESULT: GRACE - Doesn’t get raped and leaves with Tommy. Lizzie - Gets raped and leaves separately from Tommy

Season 4

Lizzie with May and Grace with May

Similarities

both women have little snark fest with May over Tommy

May comes to the area both are already at

The women that start the snark are the ones that Tommy favors the least at that moment

Differences

May is the aggressor with Grace in her scene whereas Lizzie is the aggressor in her scene with May.

Grace wins/has the last word with May whereas May gets the last word with Lizzie

After L&M had words Tommy still tried to hook up with May but after G&M had words Tommy never tried to hook up with her again (while grace was alive)

Tommy is pissed with Lizzie about it but we never find out what he thinks about G&M

END RESULT: GRACE - Has the last word and May leaves instead of waiting for Tommy. LIZZIE - Lizzie doesn’t get the last word and May waits for Tommy

Pregnancy announcement  

Similarities

both announce to Tommy they’re pregnant when he has other things on his mind

both tell him he’s the father and he believes both of them.

“a baby Thomas” and “a little you and me”

Differences

At first he tells Grace to pass it off as her husband’s but implies to Lizzie to get rid of it 

He’s shocked with Grace and lost for words but just stone faced with Lizzie

Grace tells him I love you but Lizzie never says anything like that

He tells Grace he will figure out what to do later whereas he tell Lizzie how it’s going to go down right away

He gets lost in the moment with Grace but with Lizzie his mind is still stuck with what happened (killed 3)

He plans on Marrying Grace (after he doesn’t die) and plans on just giving Lizzie a house and Money

He leaves WITH Lizzie but leaves Grace to keep with his plan

MY THOUGHTS: Tommy isn’t in a good headspace for the news with either one. He seems happy about it with Grace but to me it’s more happy that she loves him than that she is pregnant. I don’t think he came across as unhappy with Lizzie but more like oh ok we’ll deal with it. I definitely think it showed the disconnect between Lizzie in Tommy this scene but more on that during this next section.

END RESULT: GRACE - He’s happy and the scene ends with them going separate ways with future unknown. LIZZIE - He’s not happy (not mad though) and the scene ends with them leaving together and future plans known

Garrison murders aftermath vs I killed 3 (during pregnancy announcement)

Similarities

Tommy is in a bad mental place because of what just happened

Both try to give comfort (Lizzie the handhold and Grace the hug)

Differences

Grace is able to bring comfort to Tommy (the closed eyes when they are hugging) whereas Lizzie tries but it doesn’t work. 

Grace seen what Tommy did but Lizzie only heard about it

Grace brings Tommy comfort because they just saw each other murder someone and can understand what the other is feeling whereas Lizzie hasn’t done that yet and can’t connect on that level

Grace and Tommy are interrupted by Moss whereas Tommy breaks it up with him and Lizzie

Grace kind of puts Tommy in that situation whereas Lizzie has nothing to do with it (not directly at least but it did all start because she was dating Angel)

MY THOUGHTS: Grace brings Tommy comfort for this sort of thing because she’s seen him at his worst and vice versa and she understands. They just get each other on a deeper level. Lizzie tries to comfort him with the handhold but when she bends down to him they bump heads (ouch) and she doesn’t know what to say to bring comfort. They also don’t keep the forehead touch going on like G&T do. She brings up the baby but that’s not what he needs right at the moment. It’s telling right before she goes in to tell him, he is looking at Grace’s picture. Longing for comfort from the person who gave it to him before. This scene is where Lizzie also tells Tommy if he thinks she would get rid of their baby he doesn’t know her (showing he doesn’t really know her. which is also shown in the “WTF was that” scene about May). Yet, he’s told Grace they “know each other”. 

END RESULT: GRACE -  Moss breaks up their hug and Tommy is still upset and not hiding it. Then he walks her home and they share a cigarette (showing they’ve become closer as it’s more intimate).  LIZZIE -  Tommy breaks up the hand hold and pulls himself together even though he is still upset and drives her home but we don’t see it.

Season 5

Lizzie shoots gun vs Garrison murders

Similarities

Both women are wearing maroon

Both walk out with the gun and start shooting

Tommy is stunned both times

There are 2 other men involved

Tommy’s life is threatened both times when each woman comes out 

Both shoot twice

Both save Tommy’s life 

Happens at night

Differences

Lizzie doesn’t shoot anybody, just in the air but Grace shoots and kills one of the men

Lizzie speaks and then Tommy. For Garrison murders, Tommy speaks and then Grace.

Lizzie keeps the gun pointed at Tommy but Grace never points it at him (towards him at Byrne but not at him)

Tommy looks hurt that Lizzie is pointing gun at him and upset with Grace for shooting when he told her to just point

In the pub both men are IRA and at the house both men are Gypsies

Both men live with Lizzie but both men die with Grace

Happens inside with Grace and outside with Lizzie

Grace and Tommy get hurt but Lizzie and Tommy are both fine

Tommy and Lizzie help both men (Lizzie calls ambulance for Aberama and Tommy helps Johnny inside) whereas Grace and Tommy kill both men

Lizzie walks inside during scene and Tommy heads that way too but Grace and Tommy both just stand there till the next scene

Lizzie was shaking holding the gun but Grace was steady (she has training)

L&T sex scene in bedroom vs G&T sex scene at Ada’s

Similarities

close up on their faces at the beginning

the lighting is similar in color

the kissing is very audible in both scenes

the hand gripping the furniture

Differences

Lizzie lays down how things are going to go whereas Grace is trying to figure out

Grace touches Tommy’s face but Tommy is the one touching Lizzies face

Tommy focuses mainly on Lizzie’s body but focuses only on Grace’s face

the music is loud during G&T scene but low on L&T

heavy moaning during L&T during the sex but music takes over during G&T

G&T kiss most of the scene but L&T there is only a bit of it

Tommy throws Lizzie on the bed but walks Grace to the couch carefully

bed vs couch

there is some stripping in L&T but putting the clothes back on for G&T

Grace wants to make sure there is nobody else and Lizzie is ok with their being others as long as he follows her rules

MY THOUGHTS: The Lizzie and Tommy scene also reminded me of the May and Tommy scene from season 2. Lizzie and May are both wearing the same color of nightwear and they go the desk then the bed in both scenes. Which could also parallel the wedding episode where Grace and Tommy start kissing at the desk but move to the bed also. He is more gentle with Grace than the other two and there is more kissing. Grace is also wearing purple where the other 2 appear to be wearing light pink.

END RESULT: LIZZIE - Her and Tommy seem to have a deal in place about how their relationship is going to be going forward. GRACE - Her and Tommy’s future is still uncertain

Lizzie’s Birthday vs G&T Wedding

Similarities

A big party with lots of people at the arrow house

they keep guests waiting while they have sex

enemies are in attendance

someone gets shot

Neither woman knew about the enemy until the party

Tommy does business during the party

after sex we see both ladies pulling up their stockings on one leg

Differences

Tommy doesn’t want the Russians near his house but invites Mosely there

Worries about Grace being embarrassed and threatens his people over it but let’s Mosely embarrass Lizzie and says nothing (she has to save face by saying Mosely fell asleep early even though Lizzie just told Polly they fucked)

Polly is friendly with Lizzie but not with Grace

G&T dance but we watch other people dance (swans) instead at Lizzie’s party

the person that gets shot at the wedding dies but Linda lives 

Lizzie interacts with the enemy whereas Grace doesn’t

Tommy tries to hide the stuff from Grace but doesn’t Lizzie

L&T have sex once whereas G&T have sex twice

Loud moaning during sex with L&T, none with G&T

Sex is fully clothed with L&T but with sex scene we do see G&T are completely naked

Tommy warns Lizzie about the enemy beforehand but Grace has to get the information out of Tommy after it’s started going down

Enemy has ties to Lizzie but Russians have nothing to do with Grace

END RESULTS: LIZZIE - Tommy gives her more information about what’s going on and gets comfort from her (they end the scene together). GRACE - Her and Tommy get interrupted during sex and he goes to take care of their son and look out the window (a sign of worry/anxiousness)

So that’s all the scenes but here are some other details where they are the same but opposite:

Had a child with Tommy. GRACE - a boy and named after a real actor. LIZZIE - a girl and Ruby because she might grow up to be an actress herself according to Polly (also Ruby is red and Grace was wearing a sapphire which is blue and we all know red and blue are opposites).

Tommy asks Lizzie if she wants to fuck (also uses that vulgarity on other women) but never uses that vulgarity with Grace. 

Lizzie has threatened Tommy with a Gun 2x even though they have never been enemies but Grace who was his enemy never did.

In S5 Lizzie represents the black swan (she has it on her coat in episode 1) and Grace the white swan (there is an article about it). Now go look up the ballet Swan Lake....

Tommy has insulted both of them (”I still pay for it in my head” and “you’re used to be undercover”), Lizzie takes it while Grace smacks him.

Both are/were his wife. Lizzie is alive but Grace is dead.

His wedding ring with Lizzie is a plain one but a special one with Grace (can anyone tell me what’s engraved on it?).

He makes promises to both of them and breaks them. Lizzie gets angry and storms out whereas Grace says something about and Tommy makes her come with him (scene with RIP Charlie)

When the women order drinks, Grace ordered the champagne and Lizzie the Vodka tonic. 

He’s given them both gifts. He gave Lizzie money as a gift in 4x1 and Grace the sapphire in 3x2

RANDOM OBSERVATION:

When Tommy introduced his wife to Mosley he called her Elizabeth (he calls her Lizzie right after that). Her and Polly are both standing there and both of their names are Elizabeth. It felt like that was on purpose by the writers (Polly’s actress even says she is like his wife but without the sex). His work wife (who he is related to) and real wife share the same name...ughh gross. I know Mosely already met Polly and everything but the writers love to show us about how Tommy and Polly are the Head of the family. It just felt wrong. 

Which I also think the only reason Polly likes Lizzie for Tommy is because she knows she’ll never lose him to her. She knows Lizzie has no sway over Tommy and she can stay his true wife/partner. I say “true” because Tommy does tell Lizzie things but as we see in S5E1 he tells Polly more (and Lizzie is not happy about it).

[sortasirius]

I’m rewatching Peaky Blinders and every time I watch the show I think to myself, maybe this time, Grace won’t be the most insufferable character in existence.

And every time, I’m sorely mistaken.

[denpies]

Which Empires POV You should watch: A Guide

Interested in Empires SMP but you don’t know which cc to watch? Maybe this guide will help! Note that some of these charts are my own interpretations so feel free to correct me!

(Map of all empires, from Pixlriffs’s episode 17)

1. If you want an overall look at everything that’s happening, you should watch at least one person from each alliance (and the neutrals).

Wither rose alliance: fWhip, GeminiTay, MythicalSausage, PearlescentMoon WRA-ish: JoeyGraceffa Neutral (has allies from both sides): KatherineElizabeth, Scott/Smajor/Dangthatsalongname, Shelby/Shubble Codvengers: Jimmy/Solidarity, Joel/SmallishBeans, Lizzie/LDShadowLady, Pixlriffs

Note that this chart isn’t exactly perfect for the later episodes. And just imagine Katherine, Scott, and Shelby are on top of each other since they’re equally anti-demon.

What demon? Well... just watch to find out!

2. Empires has a LOT of great lores and chaos. You can determine who to watch by deciding your chaos tolerance, or whether you’d prefer watch the storyline or just see the cool builds without it.

- If you want a lot of chaos and humor, you should watch Joel, Jimmy, fWhip, Joey, or Sausage. Joel is a menace in general, Jimmy gets pranked a LOT, fWhip and Sausage pranks Jimmy a LOT, and Joey is a menace but with extra evil laugh. - Gem is supposed to be the sane one in her alliance but fWhip and Sausage dragged her into the chaos so much that she participates in creating chaos anyway. Same goes for Pearl, but she’s less involved than Gem. - Pix has chill dad vibes but pulls a very, VERY high effort pranks. He’s in some sort of prank war with Sausage. - Lizzie, Katherine, and Scott are pretty chill but they sometimes get involved in pranks. - Shelby is probably the most chill since she hasn’t been involved in any war except with the demon.

- If you want to see the storyline, Gem and Scott are probably your best choice. Especially Scott. - Shelby has an interesting backstory, related to the demon lore. - Sausage went through 4 character arcs with constant chaotic energy. - Joey shows a polar opposite view from most other cc. - Pix has a storyline that’s not tied to the main lore. Same goes for Lizzie and Jimmy. - Jimmy was kind of the center of everything at the beginning, but it’s mostly just chaos instead of roleplay.

3. Empires has been going on from June 2021 and up to 11/18/2021, here’s the total length of the published episodes from every cc (not counting streams)

From shortest to longest, we got: Lizzie: 3h 45m (19 episodes) Shelby: 5h 26m (14 episodes, last to join) Pearl: 6h 34m (10 episodes) Katherine: 6h 42m (25 episodes) Jimmy: 6h 45m (20 episodes) Gem: 7h 19m (18 episodes) Scott: 8h 39m (27 episodes) Joel: 9h 17m (28 episodes) Pix: 10h 6m (28 episodes) Joey: 12h 8m (25 episodes, 2nd last to join) fWhip: 14h 29m (30 episodes) Sausage: 22h 6m (41 episodes)

If you still can’t decide, I’ll elaborate more about the aesthetics of each empire, and what makes each POV intriguing to watch!

These screenshots are pretty old (mostly from Sausage’s episode 24) but I’m too lazy to do a newer research lmaoo

1. Grimlands, ruled by Count fWhip, aka the server admin. - Main export: gunpowder - Also offers TNT services ‘for cleaning’ - Combination of medieval and steampunk, has villagers running around - Blimps, robots, and a railroad powered by salmon - Creator of chaos, would start a war just for funsies - Friendly corruption freshly extracted from deepslate redstone ore - Great vibes overall!

2. Crystall Cliffs, ruled by Great Wizard GeminiTay. - Main export: amethyst - It's also the source of magic - Gem's character is unique, she's a wizard instead of an emperor/empress - Cool palette for cool fantasy buildings, also cool statues (not shown in the image) - Deserves so much credit after being the assigned babysitter of Wither Rose Alliance and getting tied up in the middle of lore - Cool hat - Comfy vibes, Gem is great!

3. Mythland, ruled by King Mythical Sausage. - So. Many. Buildings. A chonky medieval empire in the dark forest - Main export: iron - Shaders often on - Sausage makes REALLY great cinematics. All of these views are taken from his episodes! - High energy, will make you think "what the hell is wrong with this guy" - King has gone through several different phases please bear with him - What, angst? No there’s definitely no angst here whatsoever haha

4. Gilded Helianthia, The Land of Farmer Queen Pearlescent Moon. - Finally has an official name! - Natural, countryside aesthetic - Main export: sugar cane - Buff queen has excellent PvP skills - Not too much chaos but Pearl’s looking for chaos actually! - Will adopt a demon...? - Long videos of featured clips, I love her timelapsing style - Isn’t around much but still a fun one to watch!

5. House Blossom, ruled by Katherine, Guardian of the Overgrown. - Fairy castle in flower forest, has a fantasy feeling - Main export: flowers and dye - Shaders almost always on - A lot of mini-projects like plushie making and baby empires - Neutral towards other empires, still gets roped into chaos anyways - Her hobbies include stealing (with compensation) and murder (with permission) - Katherine's videos are always aesthetically pleasing!

6. Rivendell, ruled by Emperor Scott. - Unique fantasy buildings in the mountains - Main export: wool - Lore central, very complex backstory, assigned anime protagonist - Excellent vibes, not too chaotic but is still very fun, great storytelling - A very great musical number ft. Lizzie (also related to lore) - Probably the coolest empire :-) also, did anyone say angst? - Love story - Seriously you’ll be missing a BIG part of the story if you don’t watch him

7. Cod Empire, ruled by The Codfather Jimmy. - (The screenshot is kinda crappy i apologize) - Swamp boy exports slime - Has an obsession with cod, his curse of binding cod head had caused war - Jimmy gets picked on a lot but it makes his POV even more interesting - Words by Jimmy himself, he’s not a builder - His building might not be great but he has great friends - Full of fun interactions with other empires member, in my opinion has the best dynamic with everyone - Also love story

8. Mezalea, ruled by King Joel. - Fantastic middle-eastern colorful builds in the mesa, the chonkiest empire i’m pretty sure. It’s just THAT big - Main export: terracotta - (Horse dying noise) - Has a music records and created a hit diss track - Really chaotic energy, will also make you go “what the hell is wrong with this guy” - Talks over his timelapses, sometimes about weird things - His villagers are clones of himself - Watch Joel if you don’t really care about lore but still want to see great interactions between other rulers! - Marriage arc

9. Ocean Empire, ruled by Queen Lizzie. - Very lovely fantasy aesthetic, just look at those lilypads islands! - Exports prismarine and other ocean goods - Shaders almost always on - Not too chaotic and not too long, still rich in funny moments - The Queen is an ancient girlboss born from big pristine egg - A very great musical number ft. Scott (also related to lore) - Marriage arc - Axolotls. Big, strong axolotls.

10. Pixandria, Ruled by Copper King Pixlriffs. - Desert kingdom, very far from the other empires - Exports copper and honey - A lot of cool farms and redstone mechanics - Probably has the coolest monument in all of empires - Suffers through counting all deaths on the server - A++ storytelling - Shaders sometimes on - Pixl probably has the best cinematics out of everyone. His POV is one of my favorites! - please at least watch the ender dragon fight from his POV it’s just that good

11. The Lost Empire, ruled by Emperor Joey. - Inspired by Aztec temples, very colorful and cool! - Exports totems of undying, which he gains from trespassing - Shaders often on - Really funny, causes a lot of troubles, very evil - I don’t know if Joey is normally family friendly or not, but he’s not family friendly here in empires. - Also definitely “what the hell is wrong with this guy” - Love story. Yeah, definitely love story.

12. The Undergrove, ruled by Gnome Queen Shrub. - Natural and fantasy aesthetic. Cool mushroom houses! - Exports mushrooms, warped stems, and crimson stems - If you only watch Shubble you might miss the interaction with other empires, but her involvement with the lore is very important - Shaders often on - Stays out of trouble, very chill vibes! - Tiny queen, big dogs (and also regular-sized dogs)

Now if you still can’t decide who to watch, you should probably follow the advice of watching everyone’s 1st episode and decide who’s your favorite out of all.

Also just mentioning, I watch all POVs playlist but I did skip through some videos in the middle of the series so this might not be very accurate. I started the series watching Shubble from streams, then Joey, then Sausage, Pix, fWhip, Gem, Jimmy, Pearl, and Scott. So I might have not elaborated Joel, Lizzie, and Katherine’s POVs in great detail but I do have a general view of their videos.

I hope this guide helps!