Why does Tommy kill Michael?
As a passionate Peaky Blinders fan and gamer, I was shocked by Tommy‘s brutal execution of his cousin Michael in the climactic final episodes. For those not caught up, spoilers ahead! First, to directly answer the key question – Tommy ultimately kills Michael due to his escalating treachery and disloyalty towards both business and family. Michael‘s ambition grows unchecked, and he repeatedly conspires with Tommy‘s enemies, leaking sensitive information and plotting violent takeovers. This breaks Tommy‘s trust beyond repair. When Michael‘s schemes finally threaten the entire Peaky Blinders organization, Tommy makes the agonizing choice to kill his own kin rather than let him destroy everything the Shelbys built.
History of Tommy and Michael‘s Complex Bond
To analyze Michael‘s fatal betrayal, we must first understand his relationship with Tommy…
Early Days
As orphans adopted by Polly Gray, both Tommy and Michael grew up as brothers under her care. Michael later moves to America, returning years later to aid the Peaky Blinders business. Tommy welcomes him, training him in the family trade.
Rising Rivalry
With Polly withdrawing from the business, Tommy and Michael become rivals to inherit leadership. Michael grows increasingly power-hungry, boosted by wife Gina‘s encouragement…
Attempted Usurpations
Michael makes several secret attempts to undermine Tommy‘s control, leaking infos and plotting with New York mafia against him…
The Build-Up – Years of Scheming and Betrayal
Despite their personal history, Michael spends years covertly sabotaging Tommy for his own advancement. A selection of his treacherous actions:
Leaking Sensitive Information
- Sold secrets to Titanic gang, leading to hijackings
- Shared details on opium shipments, costing £3.6 million
Attempted Takeover Bids
- Worked with Changretta mafia in failed assassination plot
- Conspired with politician Oswald Mosley against Shelby power
| Year | Michael‘s Betrayal | Fallout |
|---|---|---|
| 1924 | Leak Titanic gang tipoffs | £1.4 million opium theft |
| 1928 | Changretta assassination plot | Tommy‘s wife killed |
Michael‘s thirst for control compromises all business and family loyalties…
Breaking Point – Threatening the Peaky Blinders Existence
Despite escaping repercussions for years, Michael‘s ultimate betrayal comes by conspiring with New York mafia in an explosive assassination plot targeting the entire Peaky Blinders board. This finally forces Tommy‘s hand…
Foiled Massacre Plot
- Plan to kill Tommy, Arthur and key allies
- Foiled by undercover work from Tommy
- Would have ended Peaky Blinders reign
Gina Gray‘s Scheming Role
- Michael‘s wife Gina encourages his treason
- Part of her own American mafia family
- Wants Shelby business for herself
Michael‘s unrestrained ambition now threatens Tommy‘s very survival.
The Breaking Point – Tommy Chooses Family Over Mercy
The assassination plot is the final straw, with Tommy agonizing over confronting Michael directly. As a loyal Peaky Blinders member first, Tommy knows Michael must face consequences…
Tommy‘s Justification
Killing Michael is Tommy‘s last resort after:
- Years of leniency and forgiveness
- Repeated warnings to Michael
- Plots now endangering whole Peaky Blinders existence
Shelby Code Above All Else
As the Shelby family leader, Tommy‘s duties are:
- Ensure family safety and livelihoods
- Protect Peaky Blinders from annihilation
His commitment to these duties compels him to remove the threat Michael represents, regardless of personal ties.
"There Will Be A War, And One of You Will Die"
In an eerie premonition, Polly Gray once prophesied either Tommy or Michael would die if their rivalry turned violent. Tragically, this comes true when Tommy executes Michael for the greater good of the family.
The Ultimate Sacrifice – Family Over Individual Ambition
Despite their blood ties, Tommy remains clear-eyed that Michael prioritizes his personal ambitions over the Shelby family bonds and business.
Ultimately forced to choose, Tommy stays loyal to the Peaky Blinders over indulging Michael‘s treachery or ego further. He alone shoulders the burden of martyring his cousin for the organization‘s future safety.
This heart-rending decision completes Michael‘s tragic arc from promising protégé to dangerous turncoat. It also cements Tommy Shelby’s legacy as the undisputed, if controversial, leader of the post-war era Peaky Blinders empire.
That wraps my in-depth exploration into this shocking Peaky Blinders plot twist. As both a gamer and devoted fan, I‘m eager to hear other theories members have on this brutal betrayal story arc. Please share your thoughts below!
