We are going to look at the vast amount of character growth Ada has experienced over the four seasons/series and where I think her story has the potential to go based on that development.
****** NOTE: SPOILERS AHEAD *******
S1 Ada – Doesn’t want anything to do with the family business or the crime. She wants Freddie Thorne and to follow true love and generally not involve herself with anything else. She and Tommy are constantly at odds, and you can see them struggling with a sibling relationship and protector dynamic with Tommy trying to keep her safe but she doesn’t want his help. He has to use Polly as a go between for them and try to convince Ada of Tommy’s point of view. She always sees this coming and doesn’t listen. In the final scene, she puts herself and the baby carriage in the middle of the pending war as a metaphor for the victims of their war that aren’t present: the men’s families and children. She effectively deescalates the situation and Tommy/Billy settle the issue directly and everyone else can go home. (RIP Danny) After a season of seeing her mostly as an emotional and vulnerable woman that needs protecting, she takes a stand and shows considerable growth in this final showdown.
S2 Ada – She’s lost Freddie and she and Karl are living in London alone and away from the family. At the funeral she once again doesn’t have much to say to Tommy but is more receptive to his conversation. Polly tries to get him off topic and he makes a comment about how she’s not weeping, she’s capable of discussion. This moment is important for Ada because she’s essentially lost the one thing she wanted to fight her whole family for in S1 in Freddie and she’s strong enough to grieve, accept and move on for her and Karl. She and Tommy have matching black eyes after their attacks and this is an important moment that ties them together symbolically. He offers her a house and where S1 Ada would have refused, S2 Ada takes the key and visits the house with her son. Later on, Tommy lets himself into the house and she demands the key back at gunpoint. Ada is actively standing up for herself at this point and showing she is capable. He gives it to her willingly but notes that “if there was no one watching the house, I couldn’t sleep.” Another notable instance of tables turning is when Polly is not speaking to Tommy when he is withholding Michaels address. Polly goes to the Garrison to the party, and Tommy invites Ada to try and talk to and reason with Polly. This is a direct reversal of their roles in S1.
S3 Ada – In S3, Ada decides to rejoin the family in a sense and become part of the Shelby Company LTD. She previously wanted nothing to do with the family business but this is a showing of her growth since S1. She also plays a critical role of securing Tommy with the meeting contact he needs after his attack and severe injuries. When Tommy is accusing family members of potential treachery later in the season, Ada confirms she rejoined the family and business out of love and with no other motivation. At the end of the season, Ada and Finn are the lone Shelby family members (spouses excluded) that were not arrested and expected to be hanged. At this point, it is clear that Tommy has used his family members and tasked them with dangerous activities and put them in harm’s way, but not Ada or Finn. In the official photos, I don’t think it is a coincidence that Ada is one of the two characters closest to him in the photo, and facing the same direction as him whereas Polly is facing away. The body language speaks volumes.
S4 Ada – She experiences her greatest character growth to date in this series. She is once again a neutral family member between Thomas and the rest of the family that nearly met their deaths. She travels to Arthur’s house to carry the news of the Black Hand cards and leaves him with her gun. This is a scene that any of the brothers may have starred in previously, but this time it is Ada providing the news and resources. Ada says in a family meeting that “The Bolsheviks couldn’t organize a fucking picnic.” Tommy directly quotes this later when speaking with Jesse Eden and says “I have it on good authority that the Bolsheviks couldn’t organize a fucking picnic.” We, the viewer, understand that Tommy is referring to Ada as his good authority. He sends her to the rally Jesse Eden is speaking at and has her extend a dinner invitation to Jesse from Tommy. Most notable about the scene is Ada entering the bar and demanding service, fully embracing who she is at this point. Later in the season, Ada is arrested by the British army and it is revealed that Tommy has set up a plan with the officer Ben Younger and it directly involves Ada and her previous connections. When she and Tommy later discuss this, he provides the full details of this plan with her, something we haven’t previously seen him do. For example, in S2 when Tommy taps her housemate James to accompany him in his plan at Alfie’s bakery, when Ada asks they just tell her they’re doing something for the “good ole cause.”
Conclusion: Arguably, Ada has experienced the most dramatic and in depth development of any character across the series so far. She starts as Tommy Shelby’s younger sister that he wants to ensure is protected and not used as a pawn in Campbell’s plan. She matures into the single parent and provider for her son and attempts to help Tommy reason with Polly. We see her further develop and rejoin the family and business and become a more trusted and central figure in Tommy’s operations. And finally we see her brought up to the metaphorical “Big League” when Tommy involves her with the military vehicles plan. Over the course of the 4 seasons, it stands out that Ada is the one family member (besides Finn) that Tommy never outright betrays or leaves high and dry while he’s working on contingency plans. Ada is a weak spot for Tommy and is one of the few people we see call him out mercilessly and face no consequences. He trusts her opinion, uses her quotes in business conversations and trusts her to secure high importance meetings with critical timing. As the series progresses, we see Polly moving to work against Tommy any time Michael is threatened, and Ada actively moves into a position of working with Tommy.
The photo speaks to this sentiment as well. Polly is facing against them, while Tommy and Ada are in line beside each other. In S5, I think Ada is positioned perfectly to rise to be Tommy’s equal and most trusted confidant in business and in the family. I hope we see her character continue to grow and realize this enormous potential.
Notes: All photos came from google image search. This meta is of course, just my opinion on the characters and growth over the show’s course so far. I welcome all Peaky Blinders discussion so never hesitate to reach out! Thanks for reading.
BIRMINGHAM wouldn’t be the same without Ada. You wouldn’t want to be doing anything in town unless she was involved, or she wouldn’t leave anyone to look after her little boy unless it was you. You loved that smile of hers, and you intended on keeping that smile on her face for as long as stays in town, despite the trauma her family has put her through.
In such a dull place to live in while on high alert on crime, you felt like Small Heath could use some sunshine.
You swung the front door open after hearing three light knocks, to be greeted with a basket of fruit and that bright smile.
“Arthur doesn’t eat fruits,” Ada jokes. You laugh with her, allowing her in your home.
Sirens were dangerous creatures, who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and singing voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island.
sophiesophierundle Love affair with Barcelona going absurdly strong. Am in an emotionally unhealthy relationship with one particular gelato shop and am still reeling from the profound beauty of the Sagrada Familia. Little man was less interested in the culture and asks if anyone can tell us about really good play areas? Says he likes sand and swings. ⛱ Thank you for your tips and recommendations in my last post, keep them coming if you have more. Promise to keep you all updated with unnecessarily detailed gelato diaries this summer.
