What Killed Ruby Shelby? A Deep Dive into the Tragic Loss
As a longtime Peaky Blinders fanatic, I was heartbroken by the loss of young Ruby Shelby in Season 6, as I‘m sure many of you fellow fans were as well. Her tragic and untimely death raises so many questions about what sinister forces may have been behind it and how it will shape Tommy Shelby‘s path going forward.
In this in-depth article, I’ll analyze all the clues, fan theories, cultural context andmy own speculation around Ruby‘s devastating demise. There are spoilers ahead, so bail out now if you aren‘t caught up on Season 6!
Understanding the Complex Tommy Shelby
To really understand the significance of losing Ruby, you have to appreciate what a complex character Tommy Shelby is. As the cunning leader of the notorious Peaky Blinders crime family, he regularly commits morally questionable acts, like executing his foes without mercy.
But Tommy has also shown a more caring side – he values family above all else. Losing his first wife Grace left him utterly distraught, followed by the apparent death of his son Charles years later.
So while Tommy can be ruthless in business, at his core he desires the same thing we all do – love, connection, and people to share his life with. But the criminal world he inhabits makes that difficult.
The Plight of the Romani People
As a Romani family, the Shelbys have faced discrimination for their heritage. Romani people suffered – and still suffer – racism, abuse, and exclusion from society.
This informs Tommy‘s outlook and actions. He‘s fiercely defensive of his family and culture. Statistics show Romani people experience higher poverty and imprisonment rates across Europe [1]. Tommy feels an instinct to protect his own from such mistreatment.
Ruby Shelby – Tommy‘s Beacon of Hope
So when daughter Ruby came along, she represented what all parents desire – the hope of new beginnings. A chance for Tommy to find some peace and bonheur. As she grew older, Ruby was intelligent, outspoken and charmingly headstrong, much like her father.
Tommy knew Ruby was destined for great things. But in the darkest shadows of Birmingham, no happiness lasts forever for the Shelbys…
The Mysterious Circumstances of Ruby‘s Death
In Season 6 Episode 3, Ruby succumbs to tuberculosis after a period of illness. It’s a shock, as she seemed to be recovering at one point. Prior to her death, Ruby saw visions of a “grey man with green eyes” and repeated the Romani phrase “tickna mora o’beng” which means “devil”.
Tommy is utterly devastated. He sobs over Ruby’s body, musing “no parent should have to bury their own child”.
But was there foul play involved? Everything points to Ruby’s death being more sinister than it appears.
The Curse of the Sapphire
Fans have speculated that the cursed sapphire Tommy took from a Lee family member last season may be connected to Ruby‘s fate.
Romani psychic Esme Shelby insisted the jewel carried a curse – that Tommy‘s daughter would die once she turned seven. Tommy gifted the sapphire, and soon after, the recipient‘s child died from the same illness as Ruby.
Though Tommy remained skeptical of the curse, he now wonders if the theft of the jewel brought about the loss of his own daughter. Perhaps sinister supernatural forces are conspiring against his family as cosmic payback.
Chief Suspects Behind Ruby‘s Murder
While TB was the official cause, many Peaky Blinders theorists like myself believe young Ruby was deliberately poisoned. But who would commit such a heinous act?
Here are the chief suspects:
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Oswald Mosley – Tommy‘s arch-nemesis who likely wants to see him suffer after multiple assassination attempts
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Michael Gray – Tommy‘s cousin who betrayed him last season
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Gina Gray – Michael‘s scheming wife who seeks more control over the business
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Captain Swing/IRA – mysterious enemies who have been targeting Tommy Shelby
In my opinion, Mosley is by far the most likely to have orchestrated Ruby‘s murder. Poisoning a man‘s child is exactly the kind of sinister ploy he would use to psychologically unravel Tommy. Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Mosley has proven he will sink to any depths to further his extremist agenda. And he knows taking away Tommy‘s family would devastate him more than anything.
Tommy’s Downward Spiral
Needless to say, Ruby‘s death has utterly devastated Tommy. In a rare display of vulnerability, he breaks down sobbing and contemplates suicide.
This is a critical juncture for Tommy‘s mental state and relationships. He‘s already lost his first wife Grace and son Charles – now sweet Ruby too?
The tragedy has sent him into an emotional spiral – suffering seizures, hallucinations and a weakened psyche. He‘s also leaning more heavily into religion and spiritualism as a coping mechanism.
Tommy‘s son Charlie now spurns him, leaving only son Duke in his life. His path forward will likely be a reckless quest for vengeance.
The Impact on the Wider Shelby Family
Ruby‘s death will profoundly impact Tommy‘s other relationships as well. Lizzie, who embraced the role of stepmother to Ruby and Charlie, is utterly distraught.
She cannot bear Tommy‘s increasingly erratic behavior and refusal to process his grief. At the end of Season 6, a heartbroken Lizzie leaves Tommy for good, taking son Charlie with her.
Meanwhile, Tommy turns his attention to grooming son Duke Shelby to one day run the family business. He‘s desperate to leave a legacy, but Duke lacks experience.
Tommy‘s sister Ada begs him to walk away while he can, fearing for his sanity and life. But vengeance may be the only thing keeping Tommy going at this point.
The Road Ahead in Season 7
Ruby‘s death has set the stage for an explosive final season of Peaky Blinders. I believe Tommy will go on a ruthless quest to avenge his daughter by destroying those responsible, particularly arch-enemy Mosley.
But his increased recklessness could also lead Tommy to make mistakes. His one-time ally Alfie Solomons has returned as well – perhaps to offer help, or perhaps to exploit Tommy‘s vulnerability for his own gain.
My hope is that Ruby‘s spirit will somehow guide Tommy towards redemption in the end. But it‘s going to be a bloody road getting there.
So what do you think about Ruby Shelby‘s tragic fate? Who do you think was behind it? Let me know your own theories on how her death will impact the story ahead! I love connecting with fellow devoted fans.