To fully appreciate the genius of Netflix’s The Gentlemen series, audiences would need its ending explained better. Although Netflix hasn’t officially renewed the series for season 2, the success of season 1 makes it more likely it will be greenlit. The 8-episode season 1 of The Gentlemen series left audiences on a rollercoaster of emotions, with several twists and turns.
Although set in the same universe as his 2019 movie, Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen series succeeded in areas the film failed. From the cast and characters to its plot, The Gentlemen kept audiences wanting more, especially after its finale (“The Gospel According to Bobby Glass”). To help fill in the gaps of a jaw-dropping finale, here’s The Gentlemen series ending explained.
Recap of The Gentlemen Season 1
Three family names stood out in season 1— the Hornimans, the Glass family, and Mr. Stanley Johnston (Giancarlo Esposito). Edward “Eddie” Horniman (Theo James), a United Nations peacekeeping officer, becomes the new Duke of Halstead after his father picks him as heir instead of his older brother Frederick “Freddy” Horniman (Daniel Ings). Eddie is soon drawn into the world of crimes when he discovers his late father had an unholy alliance with a weed-growing syndicate on the family’s estate. His older brother, who he pities for being passed over as heir, owes another crime family £8 million.
Although Eddie agrees to continue the partnership with the Glass family in exchange for quick cash to solve immediate problems, he hopes to end the business relationship by the end of the year. With Robert “Bobby” Glass (Ray Winstone) incarcerated in a luxury prison, his daughter, Susan “Susie” Glass (Kaya Scodelario), helps run the business. Although Eddie and Susie seem to work together for the profit of the weed-growing business, they each have separate end goals.
Realizing the Glass family has no interest in leaving his family’s estate, Eddie schemes to get a buyer for his family’s estate while trying to find other estates to entice Glass to move his business into. However, the more he tries to get out of the business, the deeper he digs himself. In a sudden change of heart, Eddie chooses to place a bid to buy Glass’s weed-growing empire. In several calculated and countermeasured moves, Eddie, Susie, and Bobby become partners in the business.
Why Eddie Chose to Have Controlling Rights in the Business
From the first episode (“Refined Aggression”) of The Gentlemen season 1, it’s evident Eddie is governed by two principles—a profound love for his family and in having a good heart. Selling his family’s generational estate wasn’t something he wanted to do, but having Glass’s business underneath the Manor’s farm puts his family at risk. With his pregnant sister, Charly (Jasmine Blackborow), returning home and getting the family out of danger became his priority. Initially, turning to Mr. Stanley Johnston for help was a desperate move he quickly realized would leave him in a worse position than he already was.
Unarguably, Eddie began to enjoy the fast-paced, adrenaline-rushing world of crime. Although he was the last to admit it, the underworld wasn’t as bad as he imagined, but only if he could control the unnecessary violence. As Duke of Halstead, the weed lab was safe on his property and a reliable source of income, especially since he already had connections for sales/distribution. After a heart-to-heart talk with his older brother and realizing the true meaning of his family’s signet ring, Eddie understood why his father chose him over his older brother to protect the family.
Although he didn’t suspect Bobby Glass had any intention of selling, as a partner in the business, Eddie had controlling rights. This way, he is not only able to continue to financially provide for and uphold his family’s legacy and obligations, but he doesn’t exactly answer to anyone or be threatened by anyone. To test his loyalty and commitment to the cause, Susie offers Henry Collins (Max Beesley) to Eddie to prove he can be trusted. Until then, Eddie has played the moral compass and hasn’t killed anyone. Executing Henry Collins was his final rite of passage into the world of crime.
Stanley Johnston’s Arrest and Incarceration
The Gentlemen series finale would not be complete without Mr. Stanley Johnston’s ending being explained. Mr. Stanley Johnston was a worthy villain and adversary for Glass and his associates. Eddie understood that if bid offers were what Glass would use to choose the buyer of the weed-growing business, Mr. Johnston would be the outright winner. Although Johnston had connections in power, Eddie knew he could be brought down if glaring evidence for his financial misappropriation and tax fraud was provided.
After luring Henry Collins into becoming a partner in the business, especially with Collins’ new hatred for Johnston, Collins was instrumental in finding lapses in Johnston’s accounting. As a methamphetamine mogul, Stanley Johnston had to keep his financial account away from the government. With help from Thick Rick (Gary Beadle), Henry Collins’ former accountant-turned-money-washer, they found loopholes in Johnston’s finances and conveniently revealed them to the authorities. Besides ensuring Stanley Johnston doesn’t have the funds to pay for his winning bid, his incarceration eliminates a powerful, wealthy, and well-connected rival.
It’s also no coincidence that Johnston was sent to the same luxury prison as Bobby Glass. First, as an honor to his societal standing and for Bobby Glass to keep him in check. Stanley Johnston understands he’s been checkmated. Now, he sits in a prison where Bobby Glass exerts influence, practically living at Glass’s mercy. However, Bobby Glass knows he has several things to learn from Stanley Johnston, which could lead to an alliance. Although the Glass family has no interest in methamphetamine, Johnston’s business connections are needed for expansion.
Killing Sticky Pete and Mercy
In trying to raise money for a worthy bid for Bobby Glass’s business empire, Eddie approached Peter Spencer-Forbes/Sticky Pete (Joshua McGuire) and Mercy Moreno (Martha Millan), promising them a partnership. However, after losing to Stanley Johnston, he sets plans in motion to have Mercy kill Sticky Pete and Henry Collins kill Mercy. Although this outrightly eliminates the competition and future obstruction to business, it was more personal for Eddie. Protecting his family is all that drives Eddie, and Sticky Pete and Mercy had, at one point, threatened his brother Freddy.
Sticky Pete made a fool of Freddy by taking his money, not placing a bet, and mocking Eddie. Although Susie “handled” Sticky Pete, Eddie really didn’t get his pound of flesh besides a forced apology. Mercy, too, humiliated Freddy, forcing them to watch what she does to thieves and traitors. Mercy, being unstable, isn’t someone Eddie wants to be in business with or have any associations with. However, there could be repercussions from the Russians and Colombians in The Gentlemen season 2.
Geoffrey and Charly’s Relationship
Other than Bobby, Eddie, and Susie, Geoffrey Seacombe (Vinnie Jones) is one of The Gentlemen’s season 1 biggest winners. By the season’s finale, it was obvious that Geoffrey was Charly’s biological father. Moreover, he’s not only living with the knowledge that Charly knows, but he’s also going to be a grandfather. Charly’s acceptance of the possibility made it easier for Geoffrey to own up to it. With her closeness to Eddie, Charly could also confide in him with the revelation.
Bobby Glass’ Deal With the Gospel
For much of The Gentlemen season 1, Susie showed a calm, well-calculated demeanor. However, after her brother was beaten into a coma, viewers were introduced to a more emotionally driven Susie. Enraged after learning Eddie was trying to undercut her, Susie confessed to John “The Gospel” Dixon (Pearce Quigley), the real killer of his brother. Until that point, The Gospel couldn’t be reasoned with. However, after a scolding from Bobby Glass, a phone call to The Gospel stopped the bloodbath that was to occur at Halstead’s Manor.
Not much detail was revealed on whatever Bobby Glass told The Gospel. Besides promising to make it worth his while, viewers saw The Gospel avert an opportunity to avenge his brother’s death. It’s unknown if it was a threat or an offer, but a displeased Gospel John took it in good faith. It is one of the biggest cliffhangers of season 1. What is known is that the Scouse family are drug dealers. With the motion already set in place to remove Stanley Johnston, maybe Bobby promised Gospel the possibility of a takeover. If you enjoyed reading The Gentlemen series ending explained, here are the top 5 crime TV shows to watch after Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen.
