This article contains spoilers for MGM + ‘s The Westies Episodes 1 & 2
The power struggles and clashes between the Irish and Italian mafias have been explored many times in film and TV, sometimes with great success. The new MGM+ original crime series, The Westies, rises above any tired familiarity, offering compelling characters and a story. The first two episodes of the eight-part series, “The Troubles” and “The Houdini,” set the stage for an intense story that is sure to see many characters fail to make it to the finale.
Set in Hell’s Kitchen in the ’80s, the construction of the massive Javits Center falls within the Westies crime gang’s territory. While the Italian mob outnumbers the Irish, a truce has been struck so everyone can profit from and steal from this huge construction project. In theory, this sounds like a plan that could work. However, this is not an ordinary rivalry. There is a lot of history and blood between the mobs, and keeping the peace will be very hard to pull off.
The Westies Introduces a Great Cast of Characters
The leader of the Westies gang is Eamon Sweeney (J.K. Simmons), who asserts his authority early when he is forced to kill one of his own for taking an Italian mobster hostage. It was a Gambino underboss, no less, but he tries to keep the peace. That decision sets the stage for division in the ranks. While it’s understood it had to be done, some don’t like it, including James ‘Jimmy’ Roarke (Tom Brittney), one of Sweeney’s most trusted men.
Roarke’s friend Mickey Flanagan (Stanley Morgan), fresh out of the institution, jumps right into the gang and causes trouble. He kidnaps the same Gambino underboss and forces Jimmy to make a choice. He kills the Mafia man, setting wheels in motion that could derail the truce, already hanging by a thread.
Episodes 1 and 2 introduce a handful of characters who will have a major impact on the series. Glenn Keenan (Titus Welliver) is a corrupt cop on Sweeney’s payroll. The FBI is investigating the Italians, so Keenan must play both sides. With a son working for Keenan, the situation is very dangerous.
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Bridget Walsh (Sarah Bolger), Jimmy’s girlfriend, has a violent history with the Irish. Her past has come calling, which could lead to something violent and bloody. Then there is the famous John Gotti (Hamish Allan-Headly), rising in the mob world at this point. He only tolerates the Irish due to orders from above him.
The show is not without its dark humor. At one point, after Jimmy takes out the mob underboss, they cut up the body to make him disappear. But first, they keep the hand and propose a plan to Sweeney. They want to commit a series of snatch-and-grab robberies and leave the Gambino underboss’s fingerprints at the crime scenes using the severed hand. It sounds outlandish, and Sweeney is dubious, but they try it. However, Gotti doesn’t buy it and, getting no answers about his underboss’s whereabouts, looks into it himself.
This is where Mickey screws up again, talking too much to the now-dead mafia man’s girlfriend he had on the side. She sells him out at the first chance she gets, and Mickey is abducted by two large men. He is stuffed into a car and driven away. Both the Italians and the Irish have members who would rather go to war than seek peace, which will cause deadly chaos.
The Westies Episodes 1 and 2 Start the Series Strong
The Westies is dedicated to staying authentic. It feels like you’ve been transported back to the roaring ’80s. The world feels gritty and dirty, yet there is honor there as well. It is reminiscent of Peaky Blinders, which isn’t a bad thing. Several storylines are already being juggled, with main and side characters constantly moving in and out of the story.
J.K. Simmons and Titus Welliver are solid here, which is no surprise. They instantly lend the show credibility and power, helping elevate an already impressive supporting cast.
For a show like The Westies to succeed, it needs to rely heavily on story, actors, and tone. In “The Troubles” and “The Houdini,” those elements aren’t a problem. Tested loyalties on both sides and hard choices will definitely help the show stay fresh and keep the story twisting and turning enough to keep everyone guessing. It has already sown the seeds of trouble, so the ensuing chaos should be interesting.
The Westies Episodes 1 and 2 are now streaming on MGM+. New episodes premiere every Sunday through August 23.
