Peaky Blinders: Polly Gray’s 10 Best Quotes

Sometimes gangsters need to be put on a leash and in Peaky Blinders, Shelby family matriarch, Elizabeth “Aunt Polly” Gray, does a great job of keeping Tommy Shelby and his band of brothers in line. Polly is intolerant to weakness or recklessness and her superintendence has been instrumental in helping the Peaky Blinders remain at the top of Birmingham’s underworld.

Among Polly’s best traits is her ability to speak boldly and convincingly at all times. Whether she’s ordering Tommy to take back guns stolen from the Birmingham Small Arms factory or telling a lover that she isn’t looking for a long-term commitment, Polly never hesitates to speak her mind in a manner that viewers find appealing.

10 “There’s Only One Thing That Can Blind A Man As Smart As You, Tommy. Love.”

When Tommy learns that Billy Kimber is about to move against him, he wonders who might be passing information to the Birmingham Boys boss. Polly quickly figures it out and lets him that it’s his new lover, Grace.

Grace and Tommy are among the best couples on Peaky Blinders, but she initially serves as a double agent. She informs Inspector Campbell about the government weapons that Tommy has buried and gives away much more information that hurts the Peaky Blinders. Tommy’s blind love threatens to work against him, but luckily, no grave consequences emerge.

9 “Don’t F*** With The Peaky Blinders!”

Tommy’s archnemesis in the first two seasons, Chester Campbell, crosses the line when he has his men kidnap the protagonist. Feeling she’s had enough, Polly corners him as he’s chatting with Winston Churchill on the phone and makes him a statistic in one of the most shocking deaths on the show.

Campbell ought to have known better than to go after the Peaky Blinders so ruthlessly. He was never going to win because most members are dangerous and smart. Polly’s words and actions in this scene also serve as confirmation of an earlier moment of foreshadowing in which Tommy promised Campbell that one of them would be dead before the end of the day.

8 “You Have Your Mother’s Common Sense But Your Father’s Devilment. I See Them Fighting. Let Your Mother Win.”

One of the notable things that happen in the pilot episode of Peaky Blinders is Polly finding out that Tommy is planning to keep the government weapons. And she uses the perfect words to warn him against such a move.

Polly is right about the recklessness of Tommy’s father, Arthur Shelby Sr. In his few appearances on the show, he is portrayed as a tough but irresponsible man, capable of conning even his own sons. However, Tommy adopts both of his father’s and mother’s traits by choosing to keep the guns in order to arm-twist the government into doing his bidding. The long-term effects of his decision are good but he pays the price on a couple of occasions.

7 “Sometimes, The Women Have To Take Over. Like In The War.”

Freddie Thorne isn’t too pleased to learn that his sack of cash has been given away. When he asks how Tommy knew about it, Polly reveals it was Ada. Since Freddie was reluctant to leave Birmingham or move to a better home, Ada decided to step in.

Freddie’s decision to stay in Birmingham whilst being hunted down is not only a reckless one but also puts his family in danger. The decision by Ada, Tommy, and Polly to go against his wishes is thus viewed logical one. Polly comparing the situation to women taking over decision-making in times of war is fitting, considering the danger that looms over the events.

6 “I Will Wear High Heels So You Can Hear My Approach On The Cobblestones And Have Time To Repent.”

Polly and Tommy confront the Sisters of Mercy at St. Hilda’s Orphanage upon learning that the children are being mistreated. An angry Polly informs Mother Superior that funding has been withdrawn and the children will be moved. When she refuses, Polly issues a perfectly crafted death threat.

In most confrontations, Polly always held the power and she proves so once again by not only putting Mother Superior in her place but giving her a death threat too. Two gangsters intimidating a group of individuals that have dedicated their lives to charity would generally be considered unfair, but in this particular situation, it’s impossible to root for the Sisters of Mercy because of their actions.

5 “Just Remember, Linda, If They Spit, Just Spit Back.”

During the highly anticipated boxing match between Bonnie Gold and Goliath, Linda complains that spectators were spitting all over, and saliva fell on her. When Linda goes right back outside, Polly tells her what she should do in case it happens again.

In Birmingham’s brutal underworld, there is always the need for people to stand up for themselves. Polly is well aware of this and that’s why she isn’t impressed that Linda chose to complain instead of doing something about it. According to her, she should have settled the matter right there and then. It’s not exactly good advice, since things could have turned much worse, but the Shelbys have never been the type of people to shy away from fights.

4 “There Will Be A War, And One Of You Will Die. But Which One, I Cannot Tell.”

Towards the end of season 5, Tommy prepares for war with one of the least likable members of the Shelby family, Michael Gray. Polly can predict that either Tommy or Michael will die. Tommy, on the other hand, declares that he will kill anyone who sides with Michael, even if it’s Polly herself. This angers Polly, who resigns from the Shelby Company Limited.

The quote is even more emotional considering that these are among the late actress Helen McCrory’s last words on the show. Tommy and Polly are rarely on bad terms and viewers will be saddened to know that this fallout will never be resolved. Polly has also been good at predicted things, so it remains to be seen whether Tommy will die in the final season.

3 “Mom. That Word Is Like A Bullet To Me.”

Polly and Michael once got into an argument about how she has let herself go after she was released from prison. Michael calls her mom, which disturbs her since she is still struggling with parenthood.

Polly is good at many things, but she never learned how to be a parent because Michael was taken away when he was just five years old and it wasn’t until he was 17 that the two reconnected. It’s thus understandable that Polly finds the idea of parenthood to be challenging. She was used to being alone and is only starting to adapt.

2 “We All Try To Get Away. But We Never Do.”

Polly isn’t too impressed when she is informed that Michael wants her to come to live with him in America. She sees it as running away from problems, something she isn’t ready to do.

The Shelby family matriarch has always seemed comfortable in Birmingham, hence it isn’t surprising that life overseas wouldn’t appeal to her. Even though she’ll be close to her son, she’ll miss most of the action that comes with being around dangerous men like Tommy on a regular basis. She is also aware that living in America won necessarily mean the end of problems. There are problems everywhere.

1 “My Senior Position Within The Shelby Company Means I Don’t Have To Ask Permission From Anyone To Do Anything.”

The Russian refugee Anton Kaledin attempts to do business with the Shelby Family when he lands in Britain. Before his negotiations with Polly, he suggests that she seeks permission from Tommy first. And Polly has the perfect answer.

Polly has never been a fan of chauvinistic men and as soon as she senses this trait in Kaledin, the deal is off. She masks her reason for declining as “bad timing,” but it’s obvious that she would have listened to him if he gave her the respect she deserved. It’s yet another brilliant scene that emphasizes the importance of female empowerment.

About The Author

Philip Etemesi
(1215 Articles Published)

Philip Etemesi is an author, journalist, screenwriter and film critic based in Nairobi. Kenya. As a child, he preferred watching movies like The Goodfellas instead of Home Alone. His girlfriend constantly has to pull him from the front of the TV but he just keeps returning. Stubborn dude! An animal lover, Philip also has a pet giraffe called Refu.

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