This City Is Ours returned to BBC One over the weekend, but all eight episodes of season 2 are already streaming on iPlayer – and it's hard to resist bingeing such a fast-paced thrill ride.
The series follows Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce), a former fixer to the Phelan crime family, who attempts to leave his old ways behind for a quiet(er) life with girlfriend, Diana (Hannah Onslow).
However, the consequences of a rollercoaster first season soon come calling, pulling him into a dangerous new gang conflict unfolding on the streets of Liverpool.
The escalating feud takes a heavy toll on all concerned, leading to a knockout This City Is Ours season 2 finale that sets the stage for an even darker third entry.
Read on for all your details on the shocking ending.
This City Is Ours season 2 ending explained: Michael's "winter" begins
This City Is Ours leaves Michael Kavanagh in a state of devastation and mortal danger, effectively rendering Felipe (Álvaro Morte) the true victor of season 2.
That may come as a surprise given that he ended the run in a body bag, but this fate appeared to be exactly what he wanted.
The cartel boss deliberately impaled on Diana's knife at the start of the season 2 finale, but left the blade in to ensure he wouldn't bleed out until Michael could attend the scene.
This, he explains, is all a ploy to bring out Michael's true nature, which was first exposed to him years earlier in a moment that changed Felipe forever.
The unstable crime boss alleges that the Phelans' ruthless fixer killed his lover Luis, in a show of loyalty to then-top dog, Ricardo (Daniel Cerqueira).
Suffice it to say, Felipe never forgave him. But revenge is a dish best served cold and, all this time later, he tucks in to a generous serving.
Michael casts doubt on his claimed innocence when he swats aside Diana's suggestion of calling an ambulance for Felipe – and makes it clear that he intends to execute him.
This plays into Felipe's hands. Based on his probing conversations with Diana, from when she was his hostage, he understands that she wants nothing more than a normal life.
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Felipe makes the educated guess that provoking Michael into indulging his worst tendencies would destroy what little hope of that bruised dream remained.
The goal: to doom Michael to a life as lonely and brokenhearted as his own. Chillingly, in his final breaths, Felipe spits the words: "Welcome to winter."
Michael gets his trusted lads on cleaning up the scene, before telling Diana his intention of re-entering business with the Phelans, feeling that he "deserves" a larger buyout from the business he helped build.
To Diana, it's confirmation that Felipe's perception of Michael is correct, and that he will never be ready to leave his life of crime behind for good.
Elaine (Julie Graham) welcomes Michael back into the Phelan firm, recognising that he will be a necessary evil to dig them out of the hole that they've landed in since his departure.
In a major win, he and Banksey (Mike Noble) negotiate the sparing of troubled youth Freddie (Adam Abbou) in exchange for Ozzie Thompson (Shaun Evans), who is understood to be the true architect of the Phelans' season 2 pain.
Michael, Banksey, Jamie (Jack McMullen) and Bobby (Kevin Harvey) share responsibility for Ozzie's execution, as a kind of twisted team-building exercise. But don't go thinking that it's water under the bridge between these former rivals.
Elaine assures Jamie that their restored alliance with Michael is strictly temporary, and they will avenge Ronnie's death once the family business is stable again.
Alas, these untrustworthy bedfellows are the only people Michael will have to rely on going forward, as Diana officially ends their relationship in the heartbreaking final scenes.
Diana sends her mother, Lesley (Leanne Best), as a proxy to their planned coffee shop meet-up, as she fears that she wouldn't be able to go through with it herself.
Lesley's maternal instincts haven't dulled during her long stint in jail, as she eviscerates Michael for choosing his violent career over her daughter – and warns him to stay away, even suggesting she could murder him if he refuses.
Although it tears him up inside, Michael respects Diana's choice, and turns his back on her when he spies her staring from outside the café.
Is their love story truly over? It certainly seems that way, but This City Is Ours season 3 could have more surprises in store. Thankfully, it's already confirmed to be in the works.
This City Is Ours seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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