MobLand Season 1, Episode 2 Review: Lack of Stakes and Slow Pace Plague Tom Hardy’s Stylish Crime Series

MobLand has introduced a stylish world of crime, filled with dark intrigue, sharp dialogue, and morally complex characters. But as the second episode, “Jigsaw Puzzle,” rolls out, it’s becoming clear that the series struggles to find a meaningful direction. Despite strong performances, particularly from Tom Hardy as the gritty fixer, Harry Da Souza, and the presence of established actors like Pierce Brosnan, the pacing of the series and its repetitive narrative are beginning to weigh it down. Episode 2 picks up right where the first left off, but the lack of forward momentum and the same old tropes threaten to diminish the potential of what could have been a gripping crime drama.

Repetitive and Slow: A Lack of Stakes

MobLand’s second episode features a lot of retreading. For a show that promises to deliver high-stakes drama and edge-of-your-seat moments, there’s surprisingly little urgency. Conrad (Pierce Brosnan) has just murdered his old friend, Archie (Alex Jennings), and Harry Da Souza (Tom Hardy), the ‘fixer,’ is now on the case to clean up the mess. However, rather than propelling the plot forward, we are subjected to a series of flashbacks and repetitive scenes, showing Harry learning the same information over and over again.

The writers waste no time bringing Harry up to speed on the situation, with Kevin (Paddy Considine) recapping the details with the help of flashbacks. While this might be necessary for newcomers or viewers who’ve spaced out during the first episode, it feels like unnecessary padding for anyone who’s been paying attention. The entire sequence feels like an unnecessary detour from the more pressing issues of the plot. And even with all this backtracking, the stakes feel lower than ever.

A Chase Scene That Goes Nowhere

One of the biggest issues with Episode 2 is how the narrative feels unnecessarily slowed down by redundant actions. A chase scene—meant to heighten the tension—ends up going in circles. The cars involved reverse and rerun the same route, ending up at their starting destination with hardly any damage. What was intended to be an exciting, high-paced moment only contributes to the overall lethargic pace of the episode. The lack of any meaningful consequences or progression during this chase scene mirrors the larger problem at play in MobLand: there’s just not enough happening to justify the pace of the show.

Repetitive Character Interactions

The show’s character dynamics also suffer from a lack of depth in this episode. Characters meet repeatedly, rehashing information that could have been shared earlier, leading to a sense of staleness. These interactions don’t reveal new insights into the characters’ motivations or help develop the plot in any meaningful way. For example, Harry revisits the nightclub, which he had already investigated in the previous episode. He finds a body, which, given his expertise as a fixer, seems like something he should have discovered the first time he visited. This lack of progression in the investigation makes Harry seem less competent, and the lack of forward movement only adds to the sense of stagnation in the show.

The Lack of Forward Movement

While MobLand has established a dark, moody atmosphere and a set of intriguing characters, the lack of progress in the plot is beginning to take its toll. The show’s pacing is lethargic, and without substantial plot development, the tension is dissipating. Every scene seems to recycle information that could have been covered in a single conversation, and there are few moments that genuinely raise the stakes for the characters. Viewers who are hoping for a narrative that moves forward will find themselves frustrated by how long it takes for any significant developments to occur.

Is the Show Going Anywhere?

By the end of MobLand’s second episode, it’s unclear where the show is headed. Harry, while portrayed as an experienced fixer, is presented with challenges that feel more like obstacles to filling time than actual narrative hurdles. The show seems more focused on its atmospheric style than on advancing the story or deepening the characters. And while the world of crime is undoubtedly rich with opportunities for intrigue and conflict, MobLand has yet to find a compelling way to utilize its setting and characters in a way that drives the narrative forward.

There are glimmers of potential within the show—particularly in the character of Harry, who could be a fascinating figure if given the right stakes and challenges. But unless the show begins to introduce more substantial plot elements and cuts down on the backtracking, it’s in danger of losing its audience to fatigue.

Conclusion: A Show Struggling with Pacing and Purpose

While MobLand certainly has style and a strong cast, the second episode reveals that its slow pace and lack of plot progression are becoming major hurdles. The constant retreading of the same ground, the repetitive character interactions, and the lack of stakes are making it difficult for the series to find its footing. Tom Hardy’s performance as Harry Da Souza is one of the show’s highlights, but even his compelling presence can’t carry an episode that feels like it’s treading water. If the show doesn’t pick up the pace and start delivering more substantial developments, it risks losing its audience—and quickly.

For now, MobLand still has time to course-correct, but Episode 2 shows that it has a long way to go before it can claim the title of a must-watch crime drama.