Mikes Film Talk

Episode four of Slow Horses sees egocentric and pushy Yank Frank almost getting done for. To be frank, he almost loses everything. It is satisfying to see this nutjob taken out. Alas, it is not to be just yet.

Thus far

Frank Harkness (Hugo Weaving) is the man who hired “the terminator” from episode three. The almost undefeatable assassin is back and his marching orders are to take care of Bad Sam (Sean Gilder).

*Side note. I am a fan of Weaving, ever since The Matrix. Not so much of his clunky American accent though. While on the Hugo Weaving fan train: How much more interesting might Pennywise in the IT remake have been if Hugo had gotten the role? Answers on a postcard please.*

Frank almost loses everything after his failed attempt at taking out Cartwright senior. The bombing fiasco, also his crew’s fault, seems to be the final nail in his coffin.

This season’s villain is not so easily removed. He manages to placate the King, Prince (?) and continues with the edict of removing the Cartwrights altogether.

Lamb and Taverner

The soft shoe shuffle between 2nd Desk and Lamb (Kristin Scott Thomas and Gary Oldman) is brilliant stuff. Glorious amounts of sarcasm and vitriol are thrown about. Taverner is, in many ways, the ethereal twin to Lamb. Both are capable of some pretty impressive underhand tactics. They will also go out on a limb for a “Joe.”

Taverner has her moment with Flyte, she of the over inflated opinion of her abilities, and shots have been fired over the new dog’s bow. Giti Rahman is also learning just how much the 2nd Desk will allow.

Flyte – Ruth Bradley

Rahman – Kiran Sonia Sawar

Taverner and Whelan

The 2nd Desk has barely concealed contempt for the new number 1 Whelan (James Callis). A new head of MI5 who wants to run bleating to the press after every single mistake.

Taverner dresses him down, he allows her the chance to apologise and she shoves the opportunity up his metaphorical bum.

This pencil pushing administrator is no spy and he will fold under a prolonged attack from his second in command. He will fall like a clubbed bunny, when Taverner tires of him.

Catherine

Long suffering, alcoholic secretary Catherine Standish (Saskia Reeves) is “back in the fold.” Although to be fair, she was never really out. Lamb refused to sign her resignation letter. He now has her back. Her torture will continue as he keeps offering her that drink.

Deep down, Lamb knows that his secretary has an underlying strength. Something that can push back the dogs when they come barking.

Bad Sam

Sic Transit Bad Sam? The “dirty” dog, who worked off the grid back in the day. An assassin’s house where the American leader breeds his own agents in France. The French assassin is told by Harkness to take the old dog out. When we last see Bad Sam he seems about to meet his maker.

Wrap up

When River (Jack Lowden) returns to the UK, he loses his dog tails in the tube/train station. A clear nod to his fall from grace in Season one Episode one. (Which incidentally also features a bomb plot device.) *See what we did there?*

He heads back to where this season all began, David Cartwright’s house. The home of his grandfather. River alludes the dogs once again, only to be caught by Flyte.

Before that though he learns, that just maybe, his ancestral lineage may skewed.

There is a lot going on in this episode. Slow Horses this week is not going a similar pace. To be honest, “the losers” are amping things up.

And let’s be honest here. It is good to see Catherine back. This is an Apple TV production that airs on Wednesdays.