Mikes Film Talk

In this second episode of of Slow Horses: Season Four; a stranger comes to town and River tells his dad to “Ask me something only I would know.” David Cartwright has to be lead carefully by his grandson to the truth.

In the season open, Cartwright senior thinks he has killed his grandson River. River then plays along with the illusion. He must find out who wants his grandad dead. Meanwhile, back at Slough House, The Rejects struggle with day to day tasks in the big town of London. There is the bombing to be looked into and right now it is in the hands of the MI5 Deputy Head.

Where the spies are

River goes to France, following the lead found on the dead man masquerading as him. Jackson Lamb is trying to keep an eye on River while lying to the Deputy Head. Diana Taverner is currently dual tasking. She keeps the new Head of MI5 off balance and implicates him in the cover-up. Taverner also puts the new girl Giti Rahman (Kiran Sonia Sawar) in hiding.

River questions David Cartwright. He is convinced that Cartwright is faking his symptoms to a degree. Both are concerned about River who is in the field.

Flyte (Ruth Bradley) has the new girl from MI5 in a safe house. Ostensibly to protect her. In reality, it is a move to keep the agent occupied while Taverner destroys incriminating evidence.

River goes to France and finds the town housing the pub. While following the trail left by the dead “River,” he gets in trouble.

At Slough House, the slow horses, AKA the rejects are struggling. Longbridge (Kadiff Kirwan) is gambling again and losing.

Moving On

Lamb tells the team that River is actually alive. They are all handling this new development in different ways.

Jackson Lamb meets the “new Catherine.” Moira (Joanna Scanlan) neatens his office and he orders Longbridge and Dander to put it back as it was. Presumably with dust and all that returned as well.

In the meantime, Lamb takes the new office manager to lunch. He forces her to help him keep an eye on River. His, “Joe” in the field.

River gets into difficulties while following the would be assassin’s tracks.

Recap

As usual, everyone brings their A game to the show. Oldman has never been better. But to be fair, this is the type of role he can do in his sleep. Kristin Scott Thomas is another who can effortlessly do this type of part.

The real joy is in the ensemble cast of “the losers.” Slough House and its disgruntled and disillusioned rejects are just this side of brilliant. Each actor has their moment in the spotlight, as per previous seasons, and they shine.

Emma Flyte is this season’s “weasel in the henhouse.” Placed by Tavener and given special orders by new MI5 head Whelan, she is an outsider in this little troop of spies.

The Verdict

Slow Horses is addictive television. It entertains, despite the now familiar take of River in another dilemma. Still, the long game is being served here. The Cartwrights in this world are part of the oligarchy. This episode is just another step to a “big reveal.”

The show streams on Apple TV + Wednesdays.

The trailer