This is the action-heavy index. Structurally, it mirrors a classic gangster film. Index keywords: "Vendetta," "Mafia," "Sacrifice." The loss of John Shelby is the index point that teaches the audience that no one is safe. It also indexes the show’s shift from street brawls to international organized crime.
Before we dive into the index of themes, here is the literal index of every episode by season.
Series 1 (1919)
Series 2 (1921)
Series 3 (1924)
Series 4 (1925-1926)
Series 5 (1929)
Series 6 (1933)
If you are a new viewer, do not skip seasons. Despite the index above breaking down themes, Peaky Blinders is a serialized drama where a throwaway line in Season 1 becomes the plot of Season 5. index series of peaky blinders
For a rewatch, use this index as a character tracker. Watch Season 3 solely through the lens of Polly’s grief. Watch Season 5 solely through the lens of Tommy’s hallucinations of Grace.
The Shelby cap—sewn with razor blades into the peak—is the ultimate index of identity and violence. It points not just to the gang’s name but to a philosophy: protection through concealed lethality. The cap is:
The melancholic index. With the death of Helen McCrory (Aunt Polly) woven into the narrative, Season 6 indexes grief, addiction (opium), and redemption. It introduces Duke Shelby as a new heir and ends not with a bullet, but with a caravan set on fire—Tommy Shelby walking away from his old life, into an uncertain future (and the forthcoming film, The Immortal Man).
Episode Index: 6 Episodes Setting: Birmingham, Boston & Wales, 1933-1934 This is the action-heavy index
The final indexed entry (though a film, The Immortal Man, concludes the story). Tommy is dying of a supposed tuberculoma (a false diagnosis). He faces the Boston IRA, fascist remnants, and the treacherous Michael Gray.
Key Index Points:
Time period: 1925–1926
Main antagonist: Luca Changretta (Adrien Brody)
| Episode # | Title | Original Air Date |
|-----------|-------|------------------|
| 4.1 | The Noose | Nov 15, 2017 |
| 4.2 | Heathens | Nov 22, 2017 |
| 4.3 | Black Bird | Nov 29, 2017 |
| 4.4 | Dangerous | Dec 6, 2017 |
| 4.5 | The Duel | Dec 13, 2017 |
| 4.6 | The Company | Dec 20, 2017 |
Synopsis: A mafia vendetta from New York arrives in Small Heath. The Shelbys are systematically targeted. John Shelby is killed. Tommy eventually defeats Luca Changretta with help from Alfie Solomons (though Alfie is seemingly killed by Tommy). Ada takes a larger role. Series 2 (1921)