The latest episode of This City Is Ours ended in chaos as Freddie opened fire outside an engagement party, leaving Rachel fighting for her life and viewers emotionally shaken.
The Liverpool-based crime drama continued on BBC One on Sunday night (November 8) with a new episode for those who had not binged the entire season. Picking up after its debut last year, the second series has drawn praise from fans and critics alike.
Warning - this article contains spoilers for This City Is Ours series 2, episode 5
Engagement party turns violent
The second series follows Michael Kavanagh as he is drawn back into the Phelan criminal empire, its operations, and violence. The cast includes Mike Noble, James Nelson-Joyce, Laura Aikman and Hannah Onslow.
In the fifth episode, Jamie and Melissa hosted their engagement party while Michael and Diana attempted to broker peace with the family. Meanwhile, Freddie spiralled further out of Michael's control, and the Phelans struck a deal with Ozzie Thompson.
Viewers could already tell that something very bad was about to happen as the party came to a close. Not long after Michael organised an agreement between the factions, Freddie was spotted speeding across the city, clearly on a mission.
Freddie opens fire and Rachel is hit
Michael's attempts to track him down and speak to him before that happened failed. As the Phelans left the party venue and out onto the street, Freddie emerged from a hiding spot opposite and opened fire.
He seemed to have Jamie in his sights. In a previous scene, though, Freddie tested out the weapon and missed his target spectacularly. So it was no surprise when it was revealed he had missed the intended spot once again. In all the commotion, Rachel discovered that she had been struck in the leg.
Michael was quickly on scene to help her husband Bobby take her to the hospital as the rest of the family followed. As she was rushed into the emergency department, Rachel flatlined and her fate did not look hopeful. Meanwhile, outside, Michael convinced the Phelans to flee as he surrendered to police.
Viewers share their emotional reactions
Viewers watching along at home were emotionally wrecked as the scenes played out. Many predicted it was about to descend into chaos, with one person posting on social media: "I'm getting definite The Godfather vibes from watching the engagement party scenes."
Another added: "Sobbing here. They can't kill off Rachel." Many warned that the fate of another character looked sealed, and it does not look bright either. As one person asked: "Freddie's in trouble! Do the others know it was him?"
And another wondered: "Omg Freddie. What have you done?" A viewer admitted: "I fear for Freddie's future." But someone else commented: "For a bad shot Freddie got the right spot on that leg. Fatal surely?"
Meanwhile, one person felt like they spotted an error in one character's actions as they said: "Whyyyyy didn't Michael just level with Freddy & say 'your auld fella's playing dead but he's fine' Sometimes you've just got to be blunt"
This City Is Ours is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
