Thomas Shelby: The Broken Psychology of a Powerful Man

[@storytellers1]

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[@Hi_Just_Fred]

It's always annoying when a character is labeled as an "ideal man" people hold up as an example to follow when in reality they're a broken man that should serve as a warning. People are obsessed with the vapid surface level benefits and don't acknowledge the importance of the deeper suffering many characters have inside them which often shapes them just as much in a far worse way. Seeking more and more is a sign that something within someone simply can't be satisfied and always feels empty.

[@farkasmactavish]

Those who celebrate characters like this are vapid, surface-level people, so that checks out.

[@WaterWeight977]

Patrick Bateman being used in all the "sigma" edits are ironic af

[@jeremiahasa8652]

Tommy wanted to be free. He wasn't materialistic though he took pride in it. You can't become free without resources he understood that

[@KevinLobo-vs5dw]

You're right but deep down Thomas was suffering from the memories of the past or could be said the memories of the traumatic events he faced. I won't admire him but he kind of comforts person like me by knowing he still achieved n made a significance a place in the world where people feared him even after suffering his existence in the first place. Though he is a fictional character but people mostly suffer n ruin their life just being an addict or depressed instead of moving n be victim to there situation

[@zaxbitterzen2178]

@@jeremiahasa8652 Freedom via any means necessary though. He straight up betrayed Billy Kimber right after brokering a peace with him. Tommy has this nasty and consistent tendency to seek out success by burning his competitor's to the ground, and still acting surprised by retaliation.

[@triforcewielder8500]

One of the best shows ever made. Can't wait for the movie

[@arifmahmud5721]

What is the movie name?

[@triforcewielder8500]

@@arifmahmud5721 it hasn't been announced yet. From my understanding though, they've begum filming.

[@__ru_]

@@triforcewielder8500 they will start filming in september

[@wattsnottaken1]

Please be 3 and a half hours long (PB Movie)

[@Sevatar_VIIIth]

Have you ever watched Season 1 True Detective? Cannot suggest that season enough.

[@-MacCloud-]

Intelligent Protagonists are such an improvement on the old school action heroes IMO. So much more interesting and compelling. . People forget how the toughest, most capable, cunning men are made and it's not by the good life. It's by surviving things they shouldn't have and that comes with deep trauma. Tommy is an incredible example of that.

[@taffy9966]

PTSD is a terrible thing my grandad told me when he was a boy the ww1 vets from south wales valleys use to wonder the hills talking to themselves, they called them the mad men on the mountain, sad hard lives

[@_asantesana_squashbanana_]

Talking to themselves? Or to someone who isn't here physically anymore?

[@Guys_Love_Each_Other]

00:01 Unafraid of death, ruthless and intelligent rise to power. 02:08 Thomas Shelby's psychology is shaped by the trauma of World War I. 04:25 Thomas Shelby takes extreme risks in pursuit of power and money. 06:28 Thomas Shelby is a great strategist, using his understanding of power dynamics to outwit his enemies. 08:26 Thomas Shelby seeks safety and peace but realizes it's unattainable 10:33 Thomas Shelby suffers immensely from nervous illness, causing physical and psychological pain 12:35 Thomas Shelby's perpetual need to fight is a destructive cycle. 14:36 Tommy Shelby faces the consequences of his criminal empire and PTSD, struggling to let go and find peace. -------------------------------- Unafraid of death, ruthless and intelligent rise to power. - Characters in film and television display this combination of traits. - Tommy Shelby longs for death due to psychological and physical pain. Thomas Shelby's psychology is shaped by the trauma of World War I. - The first World War's industrialized warfare led to the recognition of PTSD. - Thomas Shelby's PTSD is hidden in nightmares and hallucinations, making him appear more powerful in his interactions. Thomas Shelby takes extreme risks in pursuit of power and money. - Tommy Shelby's mindset is to live as if every day is a bonus, as they had nothing to lose. - His pursuit of power and money is driven by his belief that peace will come at the end of his ambitions. Thomas Shelby is a great strategist, using his understanding of power dynamics to outwit his enemies. - Tommy despises being used as a tool by those in power and uses his understanding of their mindset to his advantage. - Throughout the series, he outwits and outmaneuvers opposing gangsters, soldiers, and even the English government. Thomas Shelby seeks safety and peace but realizes it's unattainable - In early seasons, he hopes for safety and peace with influence, wealth, and power - In the second half, he realizes he'll never find that peace, seeking it in the next world Thomas Shelby suffers immensely from nervous illness, causing physical and psychological pain - Thomas experiences symptoms like dizziness, joint pain, muscle tightness, ringing in ears, numbness, and headaches due to anxiety and an oversensitized nervous system - His PTSD becomes worse when he tries to rest, and he finds relief only when he is active and in a state of fight or flight Thomas Shelby's perpetual need to fight is a destructive cycle. - Alcohol and opium are temporary escapes, but ultimately destructive. - Despite his achievements, internal brokenness prevents Tommy from truly enjoying them. Tommy Shelby faces the consequences of his criminal empire and PTSD, struggling to let go and find peace. - Tommy Shelby grapples with the consequences of building his criminal empire and spiraling PTSD. - Despite his charisma and intelligence, Tommy's life has been deeply affected by his past, causing him to finally find peace 15 years after the war.

[@bobrascal]

thank you, this is the kind of comment i wish was on every youtube video

[@rap-mg4jx]

W lifesaver keep doing this for other videos

[@GubernareMens]

Brilliant analysis. I would like to add that the very first scene is Tommy riding a dark horse (symbolic of his psyche), while the very last scene is him riding off on a white horse framed in the fires of his burning past; escaping his psychological hell.

[@justinleecortez]

Love the video and your take and analysis on Tommy Shelby! One thing you notice from the series after watching it multiple times is that Tommy was robbed from his innocence and his joy for life during the war. All he wants is to be reunited with that part of himself again yet unfortunately his only chance of getting it was taken from him the moment Grace died. You can say his kids could’ve helped filled that void but he doesn’t really ever get closed to them during the series out of fear that he’ll end up messing them up

[@RondleSwango]

U can't be selfish when it comes to ur kids try to do best for them and not what u want it is hard to be completely honest that they should not be exposed to a parents behaviors it can be not so glorious when bad behaviors rears it's ugly head. I don't know what is best , right or wrong, I do know it affects everyone involved just make sure u put ur kids first. Both parents on same page no negativity at all Food for thought😢😢😢😢😢😢❤

[@lucykaleisky]

I think he found peace at the end of the show. With the bells ringing the armistice. Or just a piece of peace

[@txmpoix]

For thomas shleby its not over until its over

[@h33-q8w]

The eleventh hour is when world war one ended as well. That was a fun fact I recently learned. That's why it was so symbolic for Tommy I guesss

[@SassySealion]

I don't think it was "peace at last"... It was peace, but a different kind of peace, kind of like the way he felt at the end of season 2. Something that's more temporary relief than genuine peace. He's still trying to transform his understanding of the world to make sense of what he went through in WWI, and what he continues to go through trying make sense of the "corridors of power." Like Polly told Grace... he smiled a lot before France. He doesn't smile anymore, there's a reason for that, and he's trying to make sense of why that is... He's trying to make sense of the world... And the bells ringing during armistice signaled another turning point, like he had experienced before, but one where he still didn't truly understand the world around him and probably more importantly, himself, and where he fit into that world.

[@farkasmactavish]

PTSD isn't exclusively a war-born illness. If you've had trauma, you're at risk for PTSD, if you don't have it, already.

[@Juan69]

You know nothing about PTSD so shut up

[@farkasmactavish]

​@@Juan69Psychology is literally my day job and I have a whole-ass degree in it. I'm more qualified than most people to speak on how psychological disorders work.

[@untaggedguru5602]

​​@@farkasmactavish.Then you need to read or re-read Orwell. Perfect your prose and you'll clear your thoughts.

[@henkschrader4513]

Ptsd is not something you get by being mispronounced

[@Juan69]

​@@farkasmactavish thank you, you just said that im right.

[@tommyholczynski]

"Destroyer of Worlds" love the little reference to Oppenheimer. Idk if thats what you intended but well said. It's at 12:40 if anyones curious

[@storytellers1]

Haha I loved Oppenheimer but coïncidentally this was inspired from The Gentlemen, this scene kzbin.info/www/bejne/qavUqmSXirWtldU&ab_channel=FeelTheMovie

[@thetheraine]

my childhood trauma created ptsd for me... decades later I'm just starting to heal and come out the other side of it... always scarred and broken, but learning to cope a little better... it swallows your life... and the abusers go free... sad...

[@halsinden]

i was diagnosed with derealisation disorder in my early 20s, though i now realise that i had suffered it in past years. in my case, it's absolutely a trauma response but, oddly, appears also linked to my parasomnia (ie. extreme sleepwalking) and have similar symptoms to both my father and sister. it's an horrific disorder and one that, for a good while, i was worried was something along the lines of split personality. well done for getting yours checked out.

[@storytellers1]

It is a bizar experience and very scary when you don't know what it is. It took me a while to get a grip on it.

[@jahdielibanga8829]

We've got talk my bro 😮

[@Joelcr2108]

This video is a psychological masterpiece. Totally understandable when you analyse the series and the character at it fullest. Nice job!

[@storytellers1]

Thank you!

[@stephenhawkins3316]

@@storytellers1 Thanks. You explained why after returning to INCONUS I ain't afraid of death no more. Why risks were taken never would have previously. It's like the body has not caught up to what the soul already knows but the soul directs the body to never rest until tasks are achieved.

[@kabacheouiza3566]

i have a fatherlike them!! he was shot in head in1959 in the algerian liberation war with france.....he still lives ..with harm in his head he is 86..every day i see him asa miracle

[@Magnate1992]

This is the best analysis of Thomas Shelby. People love this cool exterior of his, but inside he is a dead man. His demeanor is a mere aftermath of his trauma.

[@omg9261]

Gosh, why so few likes and comments? This analysis is something everyone should know, because it is so damn true.

[@sophiiageneve2317]

It's all about the egoic mind. We are all in a state of fight or flight in this paradigm unless we get beyond ourselves, hence the incessant need to be 'busy' that most people create for themselves. Be still, now there is the warrior.

[@jeppeaagaardcoaching]

Love it - and such a great point! Make one with Ragnar Lothbrok as well! Another glorified character in immense pain and would love to hear your reflections!

[@aleidius192]

In the bleak midwinter.

[@trooper9739]

Frosty wind made moan.

[@sophiaisabelle027]

We appreciate how well you've articulated your insights. You'll always have our support.

[@StaffordGrayman]

I've never seen this series, but love the imagery of Shelby, and can say as someone who doesn't fear (yet actively prays for) death, your first lines have me hooked.

[@lindafolks]

When life has been so rough and you learn so many lessons, there is no fear of death!!! I have become a soldier for Christ, waiting for my next mission. There is always the hope for the flip side that is love, happiness with someone and people to share this with! The mercy of Christ is always welcome! This can all be, to better the next generation, giving God’s living words that never die! We should all strive to live eternally with Christ! All praise and honor goes to the Most High!🙏❤️🕊🌟🎶🌹

[@omg9261]

Such an intelligent analysis. You are so right.

[@eefje6321]

very good video! Thanks for showing empathy for this character. Yes, he is not cool but broken. Still sometimes I like to be him, but more I see how he struggles and runs from it. This show is comforting me, it understands my pain even though I thankfully have never been to war. It strengthens me, but really I don´t want to hurt anyone. It is sad that so many see him as a good masculine example. I just wish he would talk and cry. Give himself time to learn to feel himself again and embrace himself, tell himself that it´s oke. There were so many man at that time, if they would just lalk with each other.

[@Comicbroe405]

Thomas Shelby analysis 🙏

[@d007ization]

It's not that you can't criticize people for never mentioning the reasons for why Tommy is the way he is. But it really ain't like the people who try to emulate him are completely unaware of the hurt he's been through. The people who want to be him experienced some form of hurt themselves and wish that their hurt would manifest in such a way.

[@Direfloof]

My vote for the most perfect distillation of Tommy Shelby’s true embodiment of power is the meeting with Billy Kimber. If you watch how Tommy navigates the situation in contrast with any other man in the room, you can see how clearly he understands the path to what he wants. No ego, no bluster, no reactivity. Clarity-grounded and intentional-clarity.

[@dubl33_27]

glad I chose to watch the series last month rather than later.

[@T.Florenz]

Spot on analysis 💔

[@godfuel]

So well put together, thank you for creating and sharing.

[@yapkarson]

I'm that kind of friend that doesn't looks sad at all and smiles all the time

[@laurenceb5516]

Fantastic job! You continue to have great analysis of movies/tv shows that no one else does. Keep it up!

[@QuilloManar]

How to think like Thomas Shelby: Part 1 - Acquire Shellshock from World War 1 Part 2 - Your sins will haunt you

[@alexandercaffrey865]

I have PTSD. Unfortunately, I didn’t get it from something as honorable as being in a war, but because for several years I was involved in criminal activity and a lot of things come with that lifestyle. I didn’t realize until watching this video that the character Tommy and myself are similar. I am unable to relax. I go to work just fine, I’ve been in the middle of a terrible kitchen rush and could handle myself just fine in the chaos, but it is the silence of the night that becomes so frightened to me.

[@hyvsan9425]

same. i remember clearly when it hit me. it wasnt even the worst thing that happened to me, i think i just had had enough. life has been quite weird after it - ive become stronger, more resilient and kinder after it but im just so scared and anxious inside. and yeah 90% of my dreams are the same nightmare xd but we’ll manage my man!

[@alexandercaffrey865]

@@hyvsan9425 to be quite honest I don’t know which incident really did me in, there’s just too many things! But yes I have become stronger and I am proud of the man I have changed myself into, and I tell my story to other in hopes that they understand!

[@jonathanmulondo9206]

Cillian Murphy is a gift to 🎥 and television

[@Dr.OngoGablogian]

In the modern pseudo science psychology having a conscience and being affected by traumatic events is considered a disorder but it's actually an advantage in a world of people who have never experienced such things.

[@whit6444]

I was in the Persian golf in the 90s and after that I used to jump when my wife touched me and she would laugh because I jumped but I couldn’t control it. It used to make me so angry.

[@vadimzhdanov3246]

I hope you have found your peace, friend. I am young Russian, was a soldier-boy kind of and a conscript once. I never was the part of War, but still feel that the burden of slightly touching it will be with me for the rest of my life.

[@roncolemanlaw]

This is very insightful

[@StationOutlook]

Even tho based off a real person.. Shelby is literally one of the greatest characters in a show of all time.

[@FigureOnAStick]

Back in the 2010s, I was plagued with severe health anxiety stemming from CPTSD, triggered by the revelation that my habitual self-isolation and lack of trust in other's care made me extremely vulnerable to being incapacitated by illness. After a couple of bouts of stomach flu in college, I was consumed by a revolving door of phantom medical concerns for years, constantly wracked by psychosomatic pain, nausea, fatigue and even fevers, especially during critical periods such as exams, traveling or holidays. Any acute period of stress would lay me low, and I would have to struggle my way through obsessive terror just to meet basic obligations for weeks at a time. Ironically, the only time in which I felt at peace was during the COVID lockdown, because that was the only time my hypervigilance felt reasonable and appropriate. "You don't need tablets, you just need another fucking war" is such a fucking mood.

[@ghoul9988]

i don't know why anyone would ever be like tommy shelby. it's like no one has actually watched this show lmfao

[@Jazzys.Prime.Chilling.Time127]

agreed

[@schmelvid]

love the analysis

[@Emmanuelx13]

Tommy is just a man who does things that people all want to do but do not have the courage to. He does things with no fear. Why? Because he has learned the world and how people work. Yes Tommy has done things that an ordinary person aren’t able to do, but who else would give him the things he got. No one ever. Now, are we a mortal human ? Yes. But why are there human beings walking around the world with power over the whole human race, but once an ordinary guy that understands both the poor, and hard working people, that then rises up without any power or past family power, he’s looked as evil. He did things that we all want to do but of course it’s evil, but he wanted to love like we all do, freedom from the world , the powerful people. Yes it’s an evil world to be free sadly, but he did this and i understand his character. Fuxk.

[@Binks182]

You can emulate the characteristics that made Tommy Shelby a success and a monster of a man to deal with. However not fall down the rabbit hole of self destruction and despair like the character did

[@ylygylygynda]

I remember that someone (Polly?) said that before the war Tommy used to laugh. Oh dear.

[@marcusreviato]

You are they man you took my suggestion to do an analysis on tommy on board fantastic job as always

[@nicolatesla66]

Klinkt als een Nederlands accent, mooie, interessante video.

[@maximeb190]

Our culture is so sick that we venerate the pain, desperation, numbness and deathwish masquerading themselves as inner strength and only that. Looking at how viral Thomas's character and the whole "sigma male" concept became on YT over the last few years, there clearly is a misguided fetishization of what are his seemingly positive attributes without any regard for all the darkness and horror that paved the way to these traits. Young men want his strength and insensibility, but have no idea what it means, and don't realize that this won't bring them what they actually need but will probably only dig their despair and isolation deeper.

[@nobodiez]

“You didn’t need all them tablets , just needed another fucking war” 😢

[@joshuaa.kennedy8837]

PTSD, Shell Shock and intrusive Thoughts are the same thing. Intrusive Thoughts, Fear, past tramas and addiction are the most difficult things to overcome but if you can then you can reach nervana

[@brendan4070]

I think you see Tommy’s ambition as a tool for vengeance, and I think Tommy’s ambition is ambition for ambitions sake it’s more like, greed possessed him rather than wrath

[@lilithofthenight1991]

I FEEL BAD IF I REST 🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♀️

[@Icecrafter47]

i really like your videos

[@coryparker7645]

He actually had the problems before the war… as he mentions to Arthur in the last season.

[@MyhandlerisYeshua]

PTSD is very difficult to live with you have to develop an almost low frequency of feeling you have to train yourself and you must be sober to do this which is hard for many. Domestic Violence, SA, being shot, losing a child etc any of these traumatic experiences can cause PTSD. In a real bad episode your body goes into shock you become ice cold and sweating at the same time and your organs start to shut done it happens very quickly, it feels like your having a heart attack.

[@huska390]

Once you lose things you care about you become so careless and free

[@paulalkhoury7289]

Beautiful entery speech 💯

[@lorcanmcnamara2985]

Thank you for sharing your feelings

[@lorcanmcnamara2985]

That must have been hard for you to do

[@hugomeyers7391]

Mooie video man. Interessant ook om de gelijkenissen en verschillen te analyseren met andere series zoals Vikings

[@thebaneking4787]

PTSD is killing me. I scare myself sometimes. I don’t know how to feel peace.

[@ChristopherPellIELTS]

Excellent.

[@aladeenhub]

War is only attractive for those who have not seen it

[@haramichael1340]

Yes those that are in power, they use it for their advantage not help people.

[@floki7]

The music is insanly good, may I know which songs were used?

[@charliechuckles2195]

Soldiers heart, shell shock, battle fatigue, combat induced Post traumatic stress disorder

[@ThomasTooMuch619]

Death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back.

[@kobedierckx2918]

I like this video!

[@sandyshih0309]

Love your analysis on these episodes, tho I don’t find the music in last two series( 5+6) touching as the ones before. Guess I am asking too much 😅

[@sadksar8819]

Great job

[@Hieronymus-Bosch]

Great video! Very well made also. Does anyone know the music that is playing at 8:04 mark?....it's haunting and delightful.

[@orterves]

How incredibly sad that anyone (outside of actors practicing their craft) would want to emulate the character of Thomas Shelby

[@newt2120]

Tons of people do

[@orterves]

@@newt2120 yes, and it's sad

[@newt2120]

@@orterves ya and cringe

[@matthiasthulman4058]

It's because they don't see anything except the "cool" parts of Shelby. Even when he's in a bad spot he still comes out on top, and that's how they want to see their lives. I think this behavior is due in part to the West generally not having any legends or heroes anymore. Everything is curated now

[@ElMariman]

​@sludgerat3715 how he should feel when your life feels this way too? In closer look? Hmm? We all are fighting everyday for positions for characters we are for places on earth just to be there and you know exactly what happens to those who are not

[@Rugz-smoke]

This experiment is supposed to turn me this way

[@Jazzys.Prime.Chilling.Time127]

ocd is also cause by trauma but you were born with ocd geneticaly and after stressful time your brain open the ocd. But yes ocd is different thing than ptsd

[@Trigger-H4ppy]

felt like in the movie thomas will finally be free, in his death

[@mhpno7]

Strong dutch accent haha. Great video.

[@EmilyWinter21]

Yh except that my enemies greatest strength is that they lie about me all the time

[@adamluck3165]

There is God and there is the peaky blinders plus the stone fukin roses and oasis happy Mondays Rkid lucky boro fc liveforever 🎉

[@austinstevens989]

I would rather be content at the bottom with my portion and my loved ones. Than to be rich, and empty hearted.

[@Galactron-h5w]

Indeed

[@johngaltman]

As an old soldier, I can tell you what you are saying is true.... I did 21 years in the military, and I am lost...

[@Brianvanmoustache]

what a world we would have without the great war? would we be less advanced or more maybe? would a great war have eventually come up at some other point? would we still have atomic bombs at some point? such a different world it would be.

[@timothythegreat6294]

you found me say when

[@mariyamjhen7571]

Money. I need to make a point with money.

[@sh_a_nkar4135]

how do you get EPK from the movies ? I need guide to post my own though process for movies

[@Foff-b1o]

True

[@WiredWarlords]

This motivation Movie name?

[@aaradhanamani6392]

Those hands are of Arthur Shelby tho in s-3 e-02

[@evryordnryprsn]

What music is used.

[@everytopicoftopicandthings2860]

I think. So you don't have to.

[@wowiemnwow]

What is the name of the viking series?

[@storytellers1]

Vikings :) (not the spinoff vikings: valhalla that one is not as good)

[@RondleSwango]

U cant judge everyone by same standards and rules as u agein years and events people change different and the they may show different personalities to different people which will alter opinions of the final assessments. Opinions r like ur backside everyone has one

[@pumpkingamebox]

As one of my favorite historical/literature KZbinr would say at character like Thomas, Ragnar, Walter. Is “Noooo, my hubris!”

[@General_reader]

I’m 100👍🏼

[@aaronjackson2720]

Tommy gave up on peace after Grace died.

[@draven8727]

So he literally cannot have peace unless dead

[@pop_my_kernels8127]

I really didnt like peaky blinders, i thought season 1 set up something amazing, but the rest of the show kind of degenerated into a soap opera. So much drama and randomly forgotten plot points. I think tommy could have been explored in such a better way

[@Feefa99]

Everyone needs to chill and get therapy. It won't hurt.

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

Depends on how much you can afford.

[@barghastov]

Instructions unclear, therapy made it worse. What now

[@Taima]

@@barghastov Get a better therapist

[@pronaykhan9734]

But I can't afford treatment 😭😞😭 that causes more pain.

[@GH0ST301]

Why waste thousands of dollars when you could try to connect with your neighbors? Surely our suffering can't be THAT indescribable and unrelatable. Why does the transaction of money to a professional need to be the only route for healing? Besides, doctors can't make a living if you're cured, and they aren't healing you because it's out of the kindness of their heart. They do it to pay off their loans, and a reoccurring customer can help get them out of their servitude to debt.

[@missyme001]

❤❤

[@yuriygagarin2001]

1:42