Mobland Finale Recap And Ending Explained: Is Richie Dead?

Bodies drop like flies as the first season finale of MobLand puts an end to the so-called war between Harrigans and Stevensons in a bombastic, bloody fashion, opening up a myriad of possibilities for the next chapter of the crime saga in the process. While the finale resolves a number of plot points, ranging from Eddie’s parentage, to the mole in Harrigan family, the reason behind Bella’s terse relation with her father, to Harry’s true allegiance – it also ends up raising many more new questions and speculations regarding the future course of events. A second season of MobLand has already been greenlit, which, judging from the predictable yet impactful ending, is going to be an altogether new ball game.

Spoilers Ahead

Kevin Steps Up Big Time: Who Was the Mole In Harrigan Family?

Following the arrest of Conrad and Maeve in the penultimate episode, the Harrigan family is in somewhat of a mess, and as the episode begins, Eddie, Seraphina, Gina, and Jen are brought to a safe house in Guildford. However, beyond all the family conflicts and battle for the proverbial throne of London’s underworld, the major highlight of the finale is Kevin Harrigan growing up to be a formidable player in the game he has been forced into by shunning all his insecurities and self-doubts. As previously seen, Kevin experienced an emotional breakdown after confronting his abuser, Rusby, whom he shot and killed later. The opening scene of the finale shows Kevin unwinding in front of the lifeless corpse of Rusby. Finding the perfect companion in the departed one to share his emotional burden, Kevin reflects on his life, which has been ruined to the worst possible state thanks to his parents’ diabolical machinations. It is at this point that Eddie’s parentage is confirmed, as Kevin mentions Conrad to be his father – a suspicion he had for a while now. Kevin laments that he tried his best to be a father to Eddie, but the corrupt influence of his parents ultimately dragged the boy into the cesspool Kevin himself could never get away from. It is disheartening to listen to Kevin stating that Rusby’s actions might have broken him, but it was his parents who ultimately ruined his life. Aside from his friendship with Harry, every connection Kevin has made has proven to be dysfunctional. However, Kevin is no longer going to sulk in his agony or let others dictate the course of his life, and owing to his family name, he decides to finally take matters into his own hands and shake up the hierarchy for good. Harry takes Kevin back to the yard and sends a clean-up crew to Rusby’s place to remove every bit of evidence. 

Later, as Harry meets with O’Hara, she is revealed to be the mole who has been helping Richie with the fentanyl trade and other affairs for almost a year. Apparently, given Harrigans family going through a self-destructive course thanks to Conrad and Maeve’s leadership, O’Hara thought it to be wise to jump ship to secure her future. Harry got to know about her role from Freddie in the 8th episode, and to keep the secrecy he had murdered Eddie. In my opinion, the identity of the mole, which was teased to be such a crucial plot point since the first episode, didn’t leave nearly as much impact with O’Hara’s turning out to be the rat. She was never an active player throughout the narrative; it would have made a much stronger impact if  Seraphina were the mole instead. Anyway, O’Hara confesses having nothing to do with Archie’s situation or Antwerp’s case, and much to her surprise, Harry lets her walk away simply after asking her to set Richie up. 

Did Eddie Learn Of His Parentage?

Kevin decides to pay a visit to his father; having unshackled himself at long last, he is not going to hold himself back any longer and lambasts his old man while visiting him in prison. Kevin mentions O’Hara’s identity as the mole, conveying that Conrad had murdered his longtime buddy, Archie, for nothing. Kevin unloads his trauma, regret, and pain on his father, reminding him how much he and Maeve have failed as parents and how much Conrad has turned into a senile old tool who is desperately trying to cling to his glory days. Conrad can only come up with a vulgar retort involving his relationship with Bella, and Kevin leaves him with a stern warning that during his time in lock-up, Kevin will claim the rightful ownership of the Harrigan empire. Kevin returns to Harry and confronts him about Eddie’s parentage and his relationship with Bella. Harry reminds Kevin that he needs to keep his head in the game for them to survive the upcoming storm, and Kevin accordingly prepares himself. Following Harry’s command and out of gratitude for sparing her life, O’Hara sets up Richie by mixing truths and half-truths. She mentions that Harry has caught her ruse and wants her to lead Richie and his men to her office, right into the Harrigans’ ambush. Following O’Hara’s direction, Richie sends half his men to Harrigans safe house, deeming it to be unprotected – and the rest of his crew visit O’Hara’s office to wait for Harry and co. Harry has already sent Zosia and Kiko to the safe house, and Harry himself, taking Kevin along with him, sets out to corner Richie, whose personal security is running thin.

Kat McAllister calls Seraphina and shares the proposal of joining her now that the Harrigans are on the verge of getting exterminated, and it seems that Seraphina is not willing to squander this opportunity. On the other hand, undercover informant Alice, aka Nicola, meets up with Colin, having successfully planted DNA evidence that led to Maeve and Conrad’s capture. She has delivered what was expected of her, and now Colin needs to return the favor. To absolutely no one’s surprise, Colin betrays Nicola, allowing Richie’s men to knock her out and drive her away. It seems this marks the end of Alice’s journey in the series.

Meanwhile, Eddie sneaks out of the safe house to meet Maeve in prison and gets baffled hearing her talking rubbish about Harry and Seraphina making an attempt to stage a coup and whatnot. The conversation suddenly changes its direction to Eddie’s relationship with Maeve, who denies being his grandmother, and realizes the boy is unaware of the truth of his parentage. As Maeve reveals everything to Eddie, he returns to Bella and confronts her about the truth. Bella’s acknowledgment results in Eddie nearly choking his own mother to death until Zosia and Kiko arrive and rescue Bella. Taking a brutal gut punch from Zosia, Eddie leaves on his own and, till the end of the episode, remains totally absent from the story. A completely unhinged and reckless individual at this point, Eddie probably doesn’t hold allegiance to any side any longer, and his inclusion in the second season might be crucial.

How Did Richie And O’Hara Die?

Richie’s crew sent to O’Hara’s office ended up getting blown up as Paul, anticipating their arrival, had the place rigged with explosives. On the other hand, the rest of Richie’s thugs enter the Guildford safehouse, only to get flanked in an ambush set by Zosia and Kiko. Even though the thugs perish, one of them fatally shoots Kiko – who breathes his last in Zosia’s arms. 

Harry and Kevin reach Richie’s hideout, take down the remainder of the securities, and confront the rival gangster, who makes a last-ditch attempt to escape his predicament and holds O’Hara as his hostage. Harry shoots O’Hara before incapacitating Richie, and Kevin, embracing his identity as one of the Harrigans, kills Richie by shooting him to death. A wounded Alice pleads for her life, only for Harry to put a bullet in her skull. In one fell swoop, Harry established the waning Harrigan domination and eliminated the competition. Maeve gets to learn about the present situation, and as she continues communicating with Conrad, it is hinted that Maeve was deliberately putting their family on a crash course to test their mettle. Tough times create tough/ able people – or something in the vein, you get the gist. Drawing inspiration from nature’s core principle of survival of the fittest, Maeve likens herself as a necessary force needed for the Harrigans to hold on to power. However, this also seems like a stretch to some extent, as there were many unpredictable, wild variables involved for Maeve’s plan to work perfectly. 

What Happened To the Harrigans?

As the dust of the battle settles, Harry and Kevin begin contemplating their next move when Kevin jokingly mentions letting his parents suffer a bit more in prison. Harry is summoned by Kat McAllister, as it is about time he repaid his favors previously taken from her. However, Harry straight up refuses Kat’s proposal, as he asks her the most feasible way to take down Harrigans. Despite getting repeated warnings, even regarding his own family, Harry’s loyalty to the Harrigans remains unaverred. 

On the other hand, Kevin meets with Bella, who has managed to expose her father, thanks to the conspiracy she concocted with the help of Antoine. Kevin, knowing Bella’s allegiance used to lie with Conrad, demands complete support from his wife. Bella reveals that she is aware of Kevin’s sordid past and shares a horrid truth about her troubling relationship with her father. As it turns out, Bella’s father, Lord Pennock, had raped her multiple times during her younger age – and even though she couldn’t gather the courage to expose him for his crimes, at present, at long last,  she has been able to have her revenge. Out of a mutual feeling of agony, Bella and Kevin rekindle their relationship. 

Harry returns to his wife, Jen, who lets out her pent-up anger and frustration on Harry for dragging her and Gina into such a pathetic lifestyle. Harry tries to pacify Jane, but Jen accidentally ends up thrusting a butter knife into Harry’s arm – and Harry staggers around a bit before sitting as calmly as possible. Although the injury isn’t fatal or serious, it might be seen in a symbolic way, which shows Harry’s family is on the verge of collapse as well. It remains ambiguous whether Jen’s actions were completely unintentional or premeditated to some extent. 

As MobLand season 1 finale comes to an end, Conrad is seen receiving a king’s welcome in the prison. The veteran Irish gangster has quite a reputation, which is proven through the grand welcome he receives. This is also indicative of the fact that Conrad is going to gather strength in the second season from his army of prisoners and possibly clash with his son in the process. 

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