Peaky Blinders fans who prefer binging to waiting for a weekly dose won't have to wait long to know how the saga ends since the final season is part of Netflix's June lineup. And since Tommy Shelby and his fellow blinders don't get to fall for new people in the 6th season, now feels like the perfect time to analyze the relationships.
The BBC drama has many moving parts but one thing that makes it so fascinating to watch is the romantic pairings. Over the course of the series, fans get to be awed by the perfect relationships as well as disgusted by the chaotic ones. But which couples are truly interesting, according to Reddit?
Tommy & Tatiana Petrovna
Tatiana flees from Russia to England during the revolution and while in the new country, she has a brief romance with Tommy. The pairing is definitely not a healthy pairing, with the two bringing out the worst in each other. However, there were some who believed that the two did occasionally prove to be intriguing because, as Prestigious-Kale-849 writes, "they seem to understand each other so well."
Reddit user, Reasonable_Cheek_799, also found themselves agreeing with the couple's potential, adding "I can't help but wonder if the writers had written her as a more layered character, they could have been a really interesting pair. Not good, but interesting." Given that Tatiana was more aligned as a villain, the idea of putting the two of these together might end up stirring up a debate, but it shows that there were a few who did like their dynamic.
John Shelby & Esme Lee
For DramaticFriendship67, they describe John and Esme as "the least problematic couple." Although the two got paired as part of an arranged marriage to help create peace between the Lees and the Shelbys, they surprisingly got along so well.
The Redditor's words are true since John and Esme are rarely seen arguing. Whether it's engaging in mischief or solving problems, they do it together. The two make each other better in every possible way too. Before marrying John, Esme had been described as "extremely wild" but in her marriage, she is shown to be a lot more rational. John, on the other hand, was directionless and timid but as a husband to Esme, he becomes a man with a purpose.
Arthur Shelby & Linda Shelby
Although this might be one of the polarizing opinions on the thread, for SADBOYVET93, they believe Arthur and Linda had one of the most intriguing dynamics on the show. They analyze their relationship in a poetic manner, writing that their love is "like an angel trying to calm the devil, but ends up ripping her halo off."
While their relationship does fall apart in the end, initially, some had been intrigued by the relationship because Linda is one of the few people who tried to help Arthur and gave him a chance to turn his life around. The relationship also saw Arthur become a little less reckless and mature too. However, as expected, Arthur's temper and the criminal world that the Shelbys found themselves in eventually pulled the two of them apart.
Aberama Gold & Polly Gray
Redditor to_and_fro15 feels Aberama and Polly's relationship is "unusually wholesome in the dark series." This relationship came about after Polly falls for Aberama after the hitman is hired by Tommy to deal with one of the fiercest Peaky Blinders villains, the mob boss, Luca Changretta.
Aberama and Polly are perfect for each other because they are both so deep into the Birmingham underworld and know what's at stake. They both happen to be very ruthless, such that when Polly threatens Aberama about not breaking her heart, it's also a promise that she shall not do the same to him either.
Tommy Shelby & May Carleton
For Redditor classicpondy, they confess that they personally liked "the thing May and Tommy had going." Their relationship works because there are no unrealistic expectations.
May is depicted as a very caring partner who doesn't try to change who Tommy is. She even likes him more when he is his true self as a gangster than when he is being nice (something she makes clear through one of the best quotes by minor Peaky Blinders characters). Tommy, on his part, is very honest about his personal life, even admitting that he loves Grace more, something she is totally okay with.
Freddie Thorne & Ada Shelby
Though the Shelby families are against their relationship, Ada and Freddie get to tie the knot and have a brief marriage before the latter dies. Zesty_turtles is sad about the relationship being cut short. They wonder how "his and Ada's story develops more and [what] his relationship with Tommy would [have been like] as they were on kind of okay terms by the end of S1."
There might be a few people who shared a similar opinion as this Reddit user as Ada and Freddie's relationship was pretty unbreakable due to its solid foundations Not only was it special because they go against all odds to be together but it also appears as if they have had feelings for one another since they were both children. Who knows if the pair would have still been together if the writers hadn't killed him off at the beginning of season 2?
Tommy Shelby & Lizzie Stark
Although Lizzie and Tommy didn't have the most ideal marriage, miv_9999 labels Tommy and Lizzie "the most complex and interesting pair."
The marriage between Tommy and Lizzie is the true definition of perseverance. Tommy never quite gets to offer Lizzie his full affection because he keeps grieving over Grace. However, he does his best to respect her, knowing how valuable she is to both his personal and professional life. On her part, Lizzie does her best to keep things from falling apart, and with the exception of Aunt Polly, she is one of few people that constantly call Tommy out for his misdemeanors.
Gina Nelson & Michael Gray
Michael is said to have met his American wife, Gina, during his time away from England. About them, lethal_7 argues that "they aren't likable but that's what makes them an explosive duo."
Gina and Michael are good for each other because they are not only both good at scheming but they are also two of the least likable Peaky Blinders characters. They are always shown to be in agreement about what needs to be done at all times. Together, they try and seize control of the Shelby Company Limited. There's no doubt that without Gina, Michael would definitely not have grown to be the great villain that he later becomes.
Ruben Oliver & Polly Gray
A portrait artist, Ruben notices Polly at Tommy and Grace's wedding where he goes on to flirt with her. They then become a couple. PeakySighter5565 writes, "I really enjoyed watching Ruben and Polly’s relationship blossom and thought they complimented each other well."
The beauty of Ruben and Polly's romance isn't in the dating itself but in the courtship. Ruben tries all kinds of gestures to win Polly over, including spoiling her with champagne and painting her. He is honest about his intentions too, telling her openly that wants to have a physical relationship with her. But they do better than just a one-night stand, with Polly confessing that she desires a dull life with him, away from the chaos of the Birmingham underworld.
Tommy Shelby & Greta Jurossi
Tommy and Greta date during their teenage years but she dies of Tuberculosis. IHateMyLife_3 believes no other relationship tops that of Tommy and Greta because "first love is always the special one."
There is proof that Greta was Tommy's most cherished lover. Eden tells a story of how Tommy stayed by her bedside for 3 months when she was ailing. There are sweet tales of their romantic escapades too, including how they would wait for each other for hours on the dock underneath the bridge.