This City Is Ours ending explained

Warning: This article contains major spoilers for This City Is Ours episode 8 (season 1 finale).

At the moment, “This City Is Ours” can be watched on BBC One every Sunday night. However, some impatient fans have chosen to catch up early by streaming the entire series (consisting of eight episodes) on iPlayer, which is readily accessible right now.

As a devoted cinephile, I’m captivated by the gritty gang drama that unfolds primarily in the vibrant cityscape of Liverpool. In this gripping tale, it’s the Phelan crime family, under the stern leadership of patriarch Ronnie (Sean Bean), who find themselves teetering on the edge of an explosive power struggle. The question of who will claim the coveted top position has sparked tensions within the family, threatening to ignite a full-blown war.

In a nutshell, the top two candidates appear to be Ronnie’s impulsive son Jamie (portrayed by Jack McMullen) and the strategic muscle, Michael (James Nelson-Joyce), who is currently grappling with his decisions about his future with Diana (Hannah Onslow).

Through eight successive installments, the animosity between them intensifies more and more, reaching its peak in an edge-of-your-seat conclusion where lives hang in the balance and a surprising turn of events leaves numerous unanswered questions if there is to be a follow-up series.

This City Is Ours ending explained: James Nelson-Joyce and Jack McMullen on tense finale

The first season of “This City Is Ours” concludes as adversaries Jamie Phelan (Jack McMullen) and Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce) escalate their dispute to a chilling level, by kidnapping the people dearest to them.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, let me express it this way: In the gripping unfolding of the plot, I found myself on the edge of my seat during a tense roundtable discussion involving Elaine Phelan (Julie Graham) and her kin, aiming to reach an understanding with Michael. Their goal was to quell the internal strife that threatened to reduce their business to rubble in a civil war.

Under consideration are the appointments of Elaine’s brother-in-law Bobby Duffy (Kevin Harvey) and Michael’s trusted aide Banksey (Mike Noble) as the new joint leaders of the gang, replacing the deceased leader Ronnie (Sean Bean).

The majority of participants find this result acceptable, yet Jamie and his cousin, Rachel (Laura Aikman), simmer with anger over being stripped of leadership roles. They start devising a plan to regain control.

According to Rachel’s understanding, the situation merely entails changing their regular Colombian business associate for an Albanian crime group. However, unbeknownst to her, Jamie harbors a plan to abduct Michael’s girlfriend, Diana (Hannah Onslow), with the intention of getting rid of Michael.

The price for ensuring Diana’s safety is astronomical: Jamie insists that Michael sacrifices himself, considering this act as both revenge for his father’s death and elimination of his main rival.

kidnapping Jamie’s infant son, Alfie.

Would Michael have really harmed Alfie?

Through Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Cheryl), Michael gains entry into the Phelan household. Once inside, he seizes Alfie and escorts him to a multi-story parking lot, menacingly warning Jamie that they’ll leap from the height if Diana isn’t handed back securely.

In that instant, anything was possible, according to him. He went on to say, “Michael, as we saw at the start of the show, has strong moral principles… However, Jamie is impulsive and ruthless; he doesn’t hesitate to do whatever it takes to come out on top. In such a situation, isn’t it necessary to counter fire with fire?

It’s evident that Jamie treats his ultimatum with great importance, as he quickly arranges a hostage exchange in the same parking lot. At first, it seems like another setback for Ronnie’s troubled son, but then he manages to grab a significant triumph right out of this apparent defeat.

Why does Michael confess to Ronnie’s murder?

Based on statements by actor James Nelson-Joyce, it appears Diana suggests Michael admit to Ronnie’s murder because she believes Jamie won’t stop bothering them unless he does. However, it seems unlikely that Jamie would possess the courage to kill them at that very instant.

She was telling Michael, in essence, ‘Faith in me, let him know… Essentially, he’ll constantly pursue us. He’ll linger, tormenting us, until you reveal the truth. Given his courage, that’s exactly what Michael did.

Michael’s confession of guilt, in part acknowledging his involvement in her kidnapping, can also be seen as a conciliatory action towards Diana, according to Nelson-Joyce: “He’s essentially saying, ‘I’ll do this for you…’ That’s the motivation I think he has.

In my perspective as a movie enthusiast, Diana’s evaluation rings true. You know, when it comes to Jamie and Michael, it seems like their confrontations never end – this is the third time! Yet, surprisingly, in the latest instalment, Jamie doesn’t go through with killing Michael. Even Jack McMullen, who portrays Jamie, confesses that his character isn’t as tough or invincible as he thinks he is. Quite intriguing, don’t you think?

At heart, I believe he’s primarily yearning for approval from his parents. Deep down, he craves love and acceptance, and this longing might lead him to actions that are less than desirable.

Although Jamie’s strategy ends up being disastrous and unmanageable, there’s a silver lining to the high-risk operation: Michael is expelled from the Phelan’s inner circle as a result of the confession, and Elaine distances herself from him permanently.

Following numerous errors and undeniable mishaps throughout the initial season, that victory was truly a breath of fresh air for me as I cheered on Jamie.

McMullen went on to express his satisfaction upon reading the ending, stating honestly that it was a moment of resolution he believed the character required. He feels this is a key aspect that propels the character throughout the series.

He’s the sole individual who uncovers the truth about his father throughout the series, but is consistently gaslighted. I believe he yearns for validation. He seems to be on the verge of insanity, and that final moment at the end… it provides him with a sense of resolution, enabling him to finally start grieving.

Can Jamie and Melissa’s marriage survive his behaviour?

In the hostage situation, it’s Melissa (played by Darci Shaw) who isn’t present, instead Elaine steps up, asserting that if she had been there, Jamie’s wife would have reacted violently towards him due to endangering their child.

Over the course of the show, it can’t be denied that Jamie and Melissa’s portrayed relationship appears less affectionate, particularly given his apparent disregard for her pleas to reduce aggression towards Michael. One might wonder, what’s the story behind their dynamic?

It seems to me that there might be love present. They don’t often share many moments with us, although we do have a few, and it appears their situation is challenging right from the start. Consequently, I believe individuals in such circumstances may find themselves feeling quite tense or stressed.

Why does Michael provoke Jamie at the car park?

Considering Jamie’s history of volatile reactions, it wouldn’t have been prudent for Michael to continue with his verbal attacks, even after they had successfully swapped the hostages – especially since he made a sharp comment about Jamie’s deceased father, as casually put in Scouse dialect, “that old chap”.

In the unlikely event that Michael becomes upset, Nelson-Joyce reminded him: “Michael was raised under Ronnie’s guidelines – you don’t grab women off the streets, and you don’t harm your friends.

Everything that has transpired is due to Jamie’s mistake, as it were, and I suspect he’s at his wit’s end. He’s exhausted, drained; everything he envisions for his future could have vanished in the twinkling of an eye with Diana being taken away.

Speaking as a movie enthusiast, I’d say: “He never seems to falter in his mother’s eyes, more like a gentle reminder when he steps out of line. To me, it feels like Michael is simply keeping Jamie grounded.

Michael had never encountered such a formidable opponent before. [It was] the sheer audacity: You showed up at my home, destroyed my property, I defeated you in a brawl, yet you still attacked me with a knife – it’s a culmination of provocation.

Nelson-Joyce noted: “Michael has made it clear that he desires to depart, stating, ‘Feel free with the business, do as you please, just let me and Diana be.’ However, Jamie continues to persist, and if Michael were able to confront him immediately, it would essentially end the situation for him.

How does Ricardo’s murder set up a potential season 2?

Following the tense scene on the rooftop parking lot, the series “This City Is Ours” delivers another unexpected twist to its audience with the startling murder of Colombian cocaine dealer Ricardo (Daniel Cerqueira) by Michael’s trusted associate, Banksy (Mike Noble).

The murder was a response to Ricardo setting off a bomb in Banksey’s car, an explosion that almost went off while he and his son, Freddie (Adam Abbou), were still in the car.

Nelson-Joyce strongly supported concluding the event with Banksey’s spontaneous action, a man he labels as the “frank and trustworthy confidant that everyone admires.

He commented: “What a smart conclusion! It appears that Ricardo is leaving, taking a leisurely walk. Could he be heading towards Michael or Jamie? What’s his destination? Suddenly, it becomes clear where Ricardo is bound for.

“It’s lovely that it finishes on Banksey, because Mike Noble is a brilliant actor… I love it.”

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can confidently say that the gripping narrative of this series has left me eager for more. Creator and screenwriter Stephen Butchard skillfully crafted a storyline with numerous unresolved mysteries, one such as the enigmatic demise of Ricardo, which undoubtedly sets the stage for an intriguing potential second season.

He commented, “Everything is arranged neatly,” referring to their plans. Since they have struck an agreement with another faction, they are eager to honor it. Regrettably, the leader of the prior group was killed, leaving a division within the organization.

Absolutely, I can’t wait to find out what happens next, and I really hope I can lay my hands on Stephen’s scripts as soon as possible, since we’re all in the dark about it.

2025-03-26 20:05