This article contains spoilers for MGM+‘s The Westies Episode 4
Ah, what tangled webs we weave. The Westies is set in Hell’s Kitchen in the 1980s and focuses on the ongoing conflict between the Italian and Irish mobs. However, as “Favors and Funerals” clearly showed, it’s much more than that.
While a tentative truce has been struck between the two for purely business reasons, tensions and divisions have begun to surface, and the friction and tested loyalties made for an interesting, drama-filled episode.
Glenn Keenan and Eamon Sweeney’s Pact Doesn’t Go as Planned
The funeral of Pat Murphy (Jeremy Walmsley) kicks things off. Later, as family and friends toast his memory at their local bar, they remain unaware that it was Officer Glenn Keenan (Titus Welliver) who killed him. It was part of a deal with Eamon Sweeney (J.K. Simmons) to discourage his son, Danny (Aidan Wojtak-Hissong), from working for him.
However, the son doesn’t buy the explanation, and Sweeney makes it clear that he has to deal with the kid or he will. As always in this show, the loyalties that are thrown around like religion can often be simply a means to an end.
The Irish, led by Sweeney, are grumbling about money and want to sell the cocaine they stole from The Starship job before they blew it up. To that end, Jimmy Roarke (Tom Brittney) presents the proposal to Sweeney, who flatly says no. Gambino boss Paul Castellano (Ron Lea) shares this view, so Sweeney takes the cocaine to destroy it.
However, like John Gotti (Hamish Allan-Headley), Sweeney likes the money and plans to sell it. He lies outright to Jimmy and his crew, just as Gotti lies to Castellano about staying out of the drug trade.
Meanwhile, Keenan chats with his kid. After an awkward one-on-one with his late wife’s sister, he waits at home for his son to arrive. The conversation is strained and awkward, but there is some progress. However, it’s all for nothing when Keenan sees his son at a bar talking with Sweeney, who warns Keenan to get his son out of Hell’s Kitchen or he’ll deal with it.
Keenan is forced to strike a deal with the feds, with whom he’s doing double duty. After framing his own son, he gets him taken away and out of harm’s way. Family is never easy.
Bridget Makes a Dangerous Choice
Bridget (Sarah Bolger), after telling Brendan Cahill (Allen Leech) that the rocket launcher is missing, realizes he may offer her access to something more interesting: revenge for her parents’ deaths.
In a risky, strange, and bold move, she swears allegiance to Cahill and the IRA operating out of Hell’s Kitchen. It will put her life at risk and jeopardize her relationship with Jimmy. Even though she is trying to lead a different life now, her past makes this decision understandable. Still, it will create a huge mess down the road.
Sweeney sells the cocaine, but Gotti, using his spies, finds out and puts a hit on him. Two out-of-town hitmen are hired to kill him and use the public function where Sweeney is receiving an award to carry it out. However, just as they are about to kill him in an alley after Sweeney leaves, Jimmy shows up and kills them both.
As it turns out, Jimmy was looking to confront Sweeney himself after he, too, learned that Sweeney had sold the cocaine. The standoff ends with them both having a beer on a rooftop, choosing a drink in that moment and enjoying life before dealing with the fallout to come.
The Westies Episode 4 Draws New Lines
There was a lot happening in this episode, and it built momentum. New lines are being drawn in the sand, major decisions are being made, and things are going to change quickly in Hell’s Kitchen.
Welliver remains compelling as the morally conflicted Keenan, delivering intense dramatic moments with Wojtak-Hissong. Together, they effectively progress the storyline of changing loyalties.
The personal decisions that directly oppose the oaths of both the Irish and Gambino families are convincing and skillfully portrayed. Despite the many events, the episode remains well-paced and engaging.
The best thing “Favors and Funerals” accomplished this week was to move beyond the basics of the Irish and Italian rivalry to create a much more complex and interesting division within each side. With the seeds of dissent, lies, and secret agendas now firmly in place, the show has a strong launching pad on which to build.
The Westies Episode 4 is now streaming on MGM+. New episodes premiere every Sunday through August 23.
