#tommy Shelby was amazing and brilliant and such a gangster

[liar-or-lawyer]

[theshelbyclan]

2k celebration fic rec!!

So I’ve reached 2k and I’m beyond grateful, it actually made me cry. But it also made me realise that none of this is about me really. It sometimes feels like the fandom is slowly dying, like creators are being forgotten about and we have less and less to go feral about (as a wise person once said ;) ). So I wanted to give all of you who might not get the recognition they would like the platform for the day. These fics I love and I would love for everyone to read them, but they usually have less than 100 notes. And now more than ever we need to lift each other up! So without further ado: masterpieces that deserve all the love. Me and my blog wouldn’t be where we’re at without all of you ❤️🖤❤️

(gif by @mistress-gif) Imagine 2 by @sophieshelby​: I think this was the first Tommy imagine I ever read of hers and it’s very much like all her other ones: very sweet, easy to read and as soon as you’ve finished one of them, you’ll want to read through her entire masterlist. The best thing about this was how romantic it is, but not sweetly, so the characters remain very much in character for me, which is a great skill for any fanfic writer! Check out her work, you will not be disappointed!! A Bloody Good Excuse To Touch by @comebackjessica​: This one is probably my new favourite Tommy x Alfie fic, and it made me laugh out loud through the entire thing. Tommy was shot by a canon, Alfie finds out he’s ticklish, John won’t stop calling Alfie Tommy’s boyfriend, and everything is just brilliant. And to top it all off, Alfie then says when threatened by Tommy: “Oh, I don’t doubt it, mate. Scary little gangster you are, hm.” I was dead 😂 Alfie x Ada (Peaky blinders imagine) by @vintunnavaa​: WHY did no one ever write about these two together before because it is perfection. At first it’s hilarious, then it’s suddenly serious and sweet and emotional and as a sweet cherry on top: the family reacts. Absolute stroke of genius this imagine was en everyone should read it.

The Chronicles of Polly Gray by @raccoon-is-my-spirit-animal​: picking just one of Anna’s fics is a crying shame, because all of them are comedic gold and deserve so much more attention. I may be biased as this major fan of her work, but you do not want to miss out on any of them. But this series on the goddess we know as Polly Gray is so original as it’s set before the series and done beautifully. She does this queen every justice and even though Anna happily rips my heart out, I can’t imagine life without this fic anymore 👏 Coming out 1 – Peaky Preference by @murswrites​: Can’t remember the first time I read this one, but I do remember it set me on a bender when it came to her work. It gave me so much comfort reading this and it made me feel accepted, even if it was just by a bunch of fictional characters, because the rest of the world often doesn’t. I needed this one, badly. Polly reaction especially had me in tears. Please, read this, whether you’re scared of coming out or not, because this is the writing everyone truly needs 😘❤️ Don’t You Get Any Ideas by @amysteryspot​: As you all probably know, Ari has my whole heart. And like it often is in this fandom, her Tommy fics are getting a lot of recognition (as they bloody should), but her other ones not as much as they deserve. This one is about John, the reader is gender neutral and this protective John is literally everything. Basically, this is the kind of fic I want to live in and I might just do that from now on… Mother of Mine by @shelbywhiterose​: Apparently I really like these background type of fics, and this one especially, about the Shelby’s mother. For the life of me I do not understand why this fic isn’t getting more notes and love, because it’s so poetically beautiful. Like the idea is very original, an entire background world has been thought out because of it, and even though it’s quite a long fic, I could not stop reading. This writer is unbelievably talented, creativity through the roof, and you do not want to miss out on any of it 💕

Immoral by @bonniesgoldengirl​: There are times when I just feel my happy bi self and there are times when I feel simply gay and there are times where my entire sexuality is just Ada Shelby. This fic did that 😂. I think it’s been mentioned before, but a lot in this fic centres on Linda being bigoted and awful, but I didn’t even notice really because kisses ME (the reader) and it’s all I know now. Honestly, favourite Ada fic right here and I need all of it in my life, because it left me too horny to function. Thanks for that 😐😘 Keep On Haunting Me by @caelys​: It’s no secret I go full fangirl when it comes to her work, but this particular fic is one of those I keep coming back to. Lizzie, my baby, is written wonderfully in it with some background even and I swear some of the lines in this one are pure poetry: “God quickly reminded her that she was there to fuck, not to feel; even is she despised that fact. Or maybe God just liked to fuck with her. Because as quickly the Shelby’s became her curse, they became her blessing.” But most of all, this story really is haunting, it’s painful and it’s like a ghost itself. The talent in this one short fic will never cease to blow me away, no matter how many times I’ve read it already. 🖤🖤

Burnt Toast by @irishwhiskeys​: Another reader as Shelby sister one, but I love it. Kinda broke my heart, made me cry, but strangely enough we like doing stuff like that to ourselves. 🙈 But honeslty, this author has so many gems in the masterlist and it would be your loss to miss any of them. Please send them all the love! In the Bleak Midwinter by @peakyswritings​: Well this broke my heart into a thousand pieces. The war has impacted John as well, even if SK decides not to show it, but this fic does. Weaved in with the song, it’s a poetical masterpiece, honestly. All the emotions are captured brilliantly and even though it left me actually sobbing, it’s one of my favourites on here. An Ode To Arthur Shelby by @the-makingsofgreatness​: I have no idea why there are so few Arthur Shelby fics out there and I have even less of an idea as to why this one isn’t getting all the attention. One word for this fic is just BEAUTIFUL. It’s sad and heartbreaking, but everything just fits Arthur. The way you describe him, his life, his skin even, it’s just mesmerizing to read. I wish to God you would write more like this one, or continue this one, because it’s pure art. Mr. Rattlebone by @murderousginger​: Tommy and Lizzie, the original dream team that I can’t get enough of. Lizzie deserves everything in the world and more, as does this fic. This story is funny at times, very angsty and there’s some nice little smut in there. I loved every second of it 👏👏 Green is Your Colour by @babylooneytoonz​: Another one that gets all the points for originality, because the reader is Isaiah Jesus’ older sister! FINALLY we get another POC reader and the story itself does not disappoint for a second. Tommy is adorable in this one and I just need fluff like that in my life. But everything this author brings out if just amazing. But this one, in particular, made me feel beautiful and that’s such a great gift to give to any reader. Thank you, love ❤️

There are so many more and feel free to add to this one! Please remember that I also love and appreciated the bigger blogs on here or the fics with more notes, I just wanted to show that there’s so much talent out there, even if it won’t show up in Tumblr’s annoying algorithm thing that I don’t understand. Make sure to send each other some love: we all need each other! 😘😘

[girlinparis]

Why is Peaky Blinders such a successful show…? 5 reasons why you should watch the BAFTA-awarded series with your man

… Because it’s a game changer in the gangster TV/movie scene

Most certainly is Peaky Blinders well-written, with good music, and picturesque characters (and an amazing casting) but above all it’s a story that can please both a male and female audience – and that is a novel and fresh approach to such shows, and an industry game changer. Making it completely relevant on Netflix platform, where couples binge-watch series together. The Peaky Blinders contains all the ingredients of a perfect gangster’s series’ recipe: ambition, illegal businesses (at first at least), guns, violence, sex, love, booze, drugs. Most of gangsters’ series and movies are usually written for a male audience, but Peaky blinders balances muscles and testosterone-y action scenes with the most romantic and tragic love story, while delivering insights into female empowerment in business and politics in early 20th century. To me, it’s a first to be inclusive of a female audience in the gangsters filming industry.

… Because violence is made bearable

Usually, in gangster movies, violent scenes can be quite dreadful to a female audience, the bleeding bodies and pieces of flesh being filmed with the utmost crudity and realism. But in Peaky Blinders, they are choreographed like music clips, supported by a great soundtrack, and filmed in slow motion, making the most violent head knockings, face cuttings and shootings completely bearable among women.

… Because the lead character – Tommy Shelby – is absolutely fascinating

Usually gangsters portraited in movies are strong, violent, raging characters, toughened up by large amount of booze, drugs and testosterone – mostly created to be thrilling among a male audience in fast-paced action movies. Think about the typical male archetype from Scarface, Goodfellas, The Godfather and the likes, either the brawn or the smart guys, they can kill in cold blood, their anger and violence towards either male or female know no limit, and they show no remorse or regrets. Most of the times, the lead character is not particularly handsome nor filmed in a way that would pay tribute to his most flattering features. To add credibility to the character, he usually has sharp face features, strong jaw lines, and thick eyebrows (and dark hair), all typical attributes of strength and power (clichés live long). Not the typical romantic and sensitive lover to please the ladies! We’ve seen many gangsters in the movies that we wouldn’t particularly have wanted to fall in love with, considering how they end up treating their wives.

But Tommy Shelby is a bad guy with an angel’s face – no doubt Cillian Murphy is perfectly casted for the role. His face features are so soft – they were even softer when he was younger, with his pale delicate face, high cheekbones, and sharp crystalline blue eyes, that us women immediately feel like sympathizing with him and loving him.

The whole filming crew had to sharpen his features to make him more credible as a gangster, though. In some movies, Cillian looks so feminine or the most unremarkable handsome man, that they had to give him an edge. That’s why the idea of the severe Peaky hair cut is so brilliant. Not only does it make him look more manly and tough (remember him walking up Small Heath’s central alleyway, with his long coat and cap pulled so deeply down just over his ears), but it gives him an attitude – framing his silhouette. Surely has the perfectly fitted, tailored suit also something to do with it – OMG, don’t start me on this…And when Tommy removes his cap, his smaller than average eye orbits and high cheekbones – typical female attributes, are much more visible making him even more lovable.

With this haircut, his face is a perfect mix of male and female attributes, which we consider the most remarkable beauty at an era where gender identity is blurred and redefined. The filming also has to do with it – when the camera does a close up on his upper face and eye area, where you see him absorbed in his thoughts or negotiating fiercely with an enemy. Although what he thinks or says is tough, cruel, unfair, inhumane in some cases (sending Grace or Lizzie off to a man), you cannot think of him as evil, or hate him because he is so handsome (ah, the magical power of blue eyes). Which truly questions our way of distinguishing the good from the bad…Those are definitely grey areas. What if Thomas Shelby had been ugly? Would we sympathize as much with his character? If he didn’t have Cillian’s angel face, how lovable would he be? Cillian’s face is instrumental to the credibility and success of Tommy Shelby’s character – so much that they have almost become as one (in our candid binge-watchers’ fantasy).

… Because this is the story of a redemption rather than a fall

Tommy Shelby is a complex character. He is a conflicted bad guy looking for redemption.In most gangsters’ movies, the bad guy comes from a poor and lower-class background, has strong ambitions, and reaches a summit before he falls back to his original condition. Because he is not able to change his morality, he remains fundamentally a bad guy.

On the contrary, Tommy Shelby is a bad guy who deeply wants to become a good guy, and although he has good moral intentions – see his determination to build a legit business, he always ends up doing bad things. So is Arthur Shelby. Very interesting to see how these heroes are tortured and self-conflicted. Once again, the voice of Cillian Murphy is marvellous at expressing this duality: he has a deep voice, confident and self-assured, that turns out to be broken or hoarse when he gets emotional (remember how he says “already broken” in S1E2, after Grace warns him about how she’s going to break his heart – OMG, my stomach is still shaking, just thinking about it). Acknowledging and shedding light on the emotions and frailty of his hero characters, Steven Knight depicts such modern male heroes. At the same time, redemption never comes. Tommy always fails to be good in the end, but there is hope in his journey because he is such a resilient character – also a modern-day value.

… Finally, because Peaky presents a modern and (relatively) progressive vision of male-female relationships

Not only is Tommy Shelby a war hero, a powerful and secretive businessman that never goes soft or shows his weaknesses to his many enemies, an ambitious breadwinner on whose shoulders rely the comfort and security of his whole family, but he is also a romantic, sensitive, and progressive male character. Making room for women in executive positions in his business, negotiating with female union leaders (Jessie Eden) or female Russian aristocrats (as they are the ones in charge), and even comforting his child at night to let his wife rest (talk about gender equality!) – certainly Steven Knight is taking liberties with early 20th century war heroes and businessmen, and extrapolates to make this show definitely 21st century. In a century where male and female archetypes are redefined, and male and female attributes are blurred and shuffled to forge new identities, it is very delighting to see these micro-changes in a gangsters’ TV series, giving us hope for tomorrow’s society. Unlike gangsters from the 20th century, Tommy Shelby would never beat up a woman, and considers the women he is dealing with on equal footing. At a subconscious level, and beyond the entertainment, there is an underlying message that could urge the typical male audience to change their behaviour towards women and start considering them equal in both life and business. 

Thank you Steven, Cillian, Helen, Paul, and all the Peaky Blinders’ crew that made this show possible!

[nellygwyn]

would you be willing to make a list of your favorite lesser know period dramas so people new to the genre can watch them? You post so many pictures of shows I don't know! ty love your blog :)

I absolutely would! (sorry it took me a little while to get around to this!!!! Forgive me!!!)

I’ll start with my three favourites because I feel like they’re lesser known and they are brilliant, in my opinion.

Harlots (2017- present) - A drama series about brothels and sex work in 18th century London. Absolutely fabulous, historically accurate in almost every aspect, include the variety of its characters. You can watch it on Hulu and NowTV as well as streaming it online. Also, the DVD of Season 1 is released tomorrow so!

Magnificent Century (2011-2014) , Magnificent Century: Kosem (2015-present) - Although technically two different series, MC: Kosem is a follow-up to Magnificent Century. These are two Turkish soap operas set during a period in Ottoman history known as “the Sultanate of Women”: basically a period during the 16th and 17th century where a woman from the Ottoman harem, be she a concubine, a mother or a sister, held considerable power, sometimes even more so than the reigning sultan. The first series of MC is available with English subtitles on Netflix: after that, the rest of the episodes can be watched on YouTube alongside this translation site. Same goes for Kosem, although the first episode was released officially with English subtitles on YouTube and can be watched here. The episodes are all very long: some about 2 and a half hours. But it’s such a great franchise, I love it so much.

Peaky Blinders (2013-present) - Set in working class Birmingham just after the First World War, it’s essentially about British gangsters, specficially the Shelby family, though it focuses most on their young patriarch, Tommy Shelby. It’s superb. The cast are amazing (Cillian Murphy, Sam Neil, Tom Hardy...) and it’s just so energetic, political and dynamic. I think I love it for two big reasons: 1) We hardly ever get period dramas about working class Britain and when we do, they’re always miserable and depressing. Peaky Blinders can be miserable and depressing but it also shows these families for what they are: the absolute backbone of this country. And 2) The Shelby family are half-Rromani. I’m half-Rromani myself so to see a representation for me on a primetime BBC TV series has been so good. They speak the language sometimes too! And indulge in some of the traditions. I recently saw Peaky Blinders on a stupid list of “Yet more period dramas about white British people” and it was ANNOYING. It’s been great for Rromani representation. You can watch it on Netflix!

That got super long, so here are a few lesser known period dramas (both films and TV series) that I have watched in my time and would absolutely recommend:

Charles II: The Power and the Passion (2002) - Apart from the fact this is about my favourite historical figure ever and is absolute perfection, it also has a stellar cast (Rufus Sewell, Helen McCrory, Martin Freeman, Rupert Graves, Shirley Henderson, Ian McDiarmid....need I go on?).....so if you want BBC period drama perfection, as well as a foray into the Best Period of British History Ever (the years 1660-1685 I DO NOT MAKE THE RULES), it’s a must-see.

Maison Close (2010) - Similar to Harlots in that it’s about a brothel, but it’s set in France in the 1870s. It’s just as gritty and realistic in its portrayal of sex work, though. It was very popular but cut short, unfortunately. Still an absolute must-see! You can watch it with English subs on Amazon Prime, and I assume it is easily streamed.

Bajirao Mastani (2015) - This is a Bollywood epic so it does have musical numbers but it’s also absolutely phenomenal. It’s set in the Maratha Empire in the early 1700s and is about the famed Peshwa (Prime Minister), Baijrao, and his love for a Muslim Raput princess, Mastani (who’s also a warrior and swords-woman.) Bajirao is also married to another woman called Kashibai who loves him dearly. It’s about love, it’s about prejudice and it’s about women trying to find some common ground for the man they love.

Shakespeare in Love (1998) - This is not necessarily lesser-known but I feel like it’s one of those films you literally have to see, especially if you like period pieces. It’s a comedy, largely fictional and tells the tale of how a young Will Shakespeare came to write Romeo and Juliet. He falls in love with a young noblewoman called Viola de Lesseps, who also happens to be an aspiring actor in a time when women are barred from the stage. Whilst the cast really blows every other cast I’ve mentioned out of the water, the highlight is probably Judi Dench as Elizabeth I. She has about....idk.....15 minutes screen time at most? But she won an Oscar for her performance anyway.

Elizabeth I (2005) - There are so many things about the Virgin Queen but this is my favourite since it covers the latter years of Elizabeth’s reign and focuses on both her political and personal life. I especially love her romance with Robert Dudley (played by Jeremy Irons) because usually, we see them as young people and it’s nice to see them older and experienced. Helen Mirren plays Elizabeth and....well....it’s Helen Mirren.

There are definitely more, especially ones set during my favourite period (17th & 18th century) which I don’t mind making another post for. But these are some of my faves!