The second season of BBC drama This City is Ours ends Ronnie Phelan's story with a fatal betrayal, as Michael Kavanagh stabs his longtime ally at Ronnie's Spanish villa. The killing, which fans have questioned, stems from Michael's conviction that Ronnie would always put his son Jamie first.
Why Michael turns on Ronnie
Michael's decision follows Ronnie's shooting of Davey Crawford. Davey had exposed Jamie's secret drugs operation, and Ronnie killed him to stop Michael from learning more about his son's activities. Although the murder was not planned, it convinced Michael that Ronnie would protect Jamie no matter what.
For Michael, the implications went beyond Davey's death. He recognised that Ronnie's loyalty to Jamie would shape every decision, including who would succeed him. Michael understood that Jamie, rather than himself, would become Ronnie's heir.
Believing Ronnie would continue to put Jamie first, Michael decided he had to eliminate him. Diana tried to persuade him not to take drastic action, but he went ahead with the fatal attack at the villa.
Other deaths in the series
The second series, which has already been renewed for a third season, features several other fatal confrontations. Rachel Duffy is murdered by Freddie, who has been manipulated by Ozzie Thompson. The Phelans seek revenge for Rachel's death, and Freddie eventually hands himself in to the authorities.
Ozzie is then killed by members of the new Firm as Michael joined the Phelans. Michael, Jamie, Bobby and Banksey each fire a single shot at him.
The finale also sees Felipe die after deliberately stabbing himself with Diana's knife. Waiting for Michael to find him is part of his revenge scheme: Felipe reveals that Michael killed his lover, Luis, to show loyalty to Felipe's brother, Ricardo. Having held Diana captive, Felipe seeks to destroy her and Michael's hopes of a normal life together. Before dying from his wound, he tells Michael: "Welcome to winter."
His final words hint at a bleak future for Michael, as Diana begins to accept that she cannot draw him away from the criminal world and their relationship appears to reach its end. This City is Ours is on BBC iPlayer, with episodes also airing weekly on BBC One on Sundays and Mondays.
