| "Thomas" | |
| Series 3, Episode 3 | |
 | |
| Centric Character(s): | Thomas Tomone |
| Original Airdate: | February 5 2009 |
| Written by: | Daniel Kaluuya & Bryan Elsley |
| Directed by: | Simon Massey |
| Episode chronology | |
| previous "Cook" |
next "Pandora" |
"Thomas" is the third episode of Series 3 and the 22nd episode overall.
This episode primarily focuses on Thomas Tomone, who having just moved from the Congo, is attempting to assimilate to life in Bristol and pursue his feelings for Pandora Moon.
Plot[]
Thomas arrives alone in the UK from the Congo, with his family due to join him in a few days. He finds an abandoned flat on an estate, but little does he know that local gangster Johnny White is his new landlord. Thomas meets Pandora and Effy at a bus stop. After the former vomits, they head back to Effy’s and discover her mum having an affair with her father's coworker. Back at his flat, Johnny White pays Thomas a visit and demands money, prompting him to accept a janitorial position at Roundview College. After running into each other, Pandora invites Thomas to her Aunt Elizabeth’s for tea and scones. He immediately realizes that what Pandora's aunt believes to be tea leaves is actually marijuana and offers to sell it, hoping to earn enough to pay Johnny White. The gang agree help Thomas by selling weed at a party, but the venue turns out to be considered Johnny White's turf. The group initially escapes and gives the money they've made to Thomas, but Johnny and his cronies turn up and notice Cook, who Johnny had promised to kill in their last encounter. Before Cook can get beaten up, Thomas steps in and offers to fight the gangster in his place. Johnny proposes a challenge in which whoever eats more super-spicy Naga Jolokia chillies without flinching wins- a face-off that Thomas easily wins, having eaten the same peppers in his childhood garden. The gang go back to Thomas's flat to celebrate, but Thomas’s mum arrives unexpectedly early and, appalled by the ensuing party, sends him back home. The episode ends with Pandora being consoled by her Aunt Elizabeth.
Music Featured in "Thomas"[1][]
Note: The music tracks listed below only refer to the music featured in the episode's initial airing. Many of the music tracks featured in this episode have been substituted for alternative tracks either for the BBC America airing or for both the US and UK home media release of Series 3.
Mapaputsi - Kleva
DJ Zhao - Kwaito
Buraka Som Sistema - Luanda Lisboa
Kanda Bongo Man - Lela Lela
Skinned Teen - Pillow Case Kisser
Barry White - Gonna Love You
Toumani Diabate - Bi Lamban
Mamadou Cissokho - Kora composition
Kanda Bongo Man - Sango
Kanda Bongo Man - Isambe
Fat Segal - Desperate Housewives
Fat Segal - Class Drumming
Gregory Isaacs - Rumours
Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love
Buraka Som Sistema - Sem Makas
Various Production - Diver
Aphex Twin - Untitled 10
Bhundu Boys - Ring of Fire
Mapaputsi - Kleva
Eye Adaba - Dramatico
Buraka Som Sistema - Yah