Fiasco

After the delights of the relatively low-key cat and mouse (or should we say dog and mole) game last week, episode 5 of Slow Horses covers relatively similar ground, and not necessarily in the best way. As Lamb (Gary Oldman) and River (Jack Lowden) search for the evidence that will prove Taverner's (Kristin Scott-Thomas) involvement with the kidnapping debacle, the rest of the Slough House crew try to keep under the radar. But as the net tightens, it seems like time is running out and Hassan (Antonio Aakeel) remains in serious trouble as tensions within the Sons of Albion rise to breaking point. Slow Horses as part of a binge-watching session then it might not even register, but in isolation the last two episodes have done relatively well what one episode could have done really well. Much of this episode felt like treading similar ground to last week, even if the plot is moving forward with momentum and the final third is where the action really ramps up. Perhaps it's intentional and in keeping with the theme that has been evident right from the start: a lot of spy work is tremendously tedious. But, unfortunately, this episode didn't feel as exciting as last week, even if there was as much, if not more, stuff happening within it.

At last, Slow Horses demonstrates why patient viewers endure glacial build-ups: when the payoff arrives, it's genuinely spectacular.

Ep 5 transforms four episodes of deliberate construction into something approaching television excellence, proving that methodical storytelling occasionally yields superior dividends.

The narrative threads finally converge with surgical precision, revealing the writers' patient architecture to be considerably more sophisticated than previously apparent. What felt like meandering character development now demonstrates its true purpose... providing emotional weight to consequences that might otherwise feel perfunctory.

Gary Oldman delivers his finest performance yet, balancing Lamb's characteristic crudity with unexpected moments of genuine competence. The supporting ensemble rises magnificently to the occasion, with several characters transcending their previous plot-device limitations to achieve actual dramatic resonance.

The episode crackles with authentic tension, deploying its carefully hoarded revelations with impeccable timing. Action sequences feel earned rather than obligatory, while quieter moments carry genuine emotional stakes.

One suspects this represents Slow Horses at its intended best: methodical, intelligent, and ultimately rewarding for those willing to invest the requisite patience.

The long game finally justifies itself completely.

The horses race to devise a trojan horse to graze for evidence of Lady Di's (Kristin Scott Thomas) false flag operation, thereby avoiding their imminent gelding.

Another excellent episode with some brilliant one liners, especially from Lamb (Gary Oldman) who acts with a newfound audacity to match his acerbic verbiage. Not much new in the plot, but a shocking closing cliffhanger.

In this series, we learn quickly that there are no easy answers. Also, like with John LeCarre, the heroes are often unrewarded. There are two focuses here. One is the continuing saga of the kidnapped Pakistani kid and the men who have him. There are several scenes of great tenstion, one being the purchase of petrol at a remote gas station. But as I said before, one of the kidnappers is psychotic. He actually believes in what he is doing where the others were just supposed to put on a show, allow that awful woman to rescue the guy, and their ways. This is well orchestrated, leading to the conclusion of the season.