"Much of her pain in that breakdown is due to embarrassment, Polly tries to be someone she isn't, which is more embarrassing than when a relationship doesn't work out. That adventure was supposed to usher in the 'New Polly', one that was going to be accepted as part of society. The whole thing was shaming." - Helen Mccrory
Thoughts under the cut:
For a season that harbours a lot of iconic looks for Polly, I actually found this the hardest one to scour for these gifs. For the most part Polly can wear the same outfit for a whole episode, which makes sense partly because there's less time skipping but also since this change in style suggests these outfits are mostly new, and she doesn't have many like it. I think it's key this season to look at Polly's outfits because it's when she is most concerned with how she presents herself to society. It's a great difference from season 2 - her hair is cut and it's conservative, there are more muted colours and grays introduced, but with only subtle patterns unlike her monochromatic suits in season 1. Speaking of suits, they're nowhere to be found, another hint of her efforts at conformity. Her necklaces and extravagant jewelry pieces, proudly displayed in season 2 and tied to her heritage like the Black Madonna, are notably absent. While she still looks stunning, the personality once presented in her style is gone. It's also particularly incredible to note the method of taking a knife to the painting and the fact that she runs up to it barefoot. It echoes the Polly we've seen in previous and future seasons with her blades, and how "Young she is, when she's barefoot on the cobbles". It screams of how this is her taking back her old self, her true self, destroying what she thought she could be and being devastated by the reality, reluctantly yet instinctively embracing it.
STOP writing about thomas shelby 😡😡😡START writing about bonnie gold 😍😍 edit is from cillianstoe on tiktok I HIGHLY recommend looking at her peaky edits if you havent