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Slow Horses season 4’s ending scene is one of the show’s biggest changes so far

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As a long-time fan of Slow Horses, I must say that the final episode of season four was a rollercoaster ride, much like the creaky elevator in Slough House itself! The shoot-out scene was tense and heart-stopping, especially when our beloved Marcus met his unfortunate end at the hands of Patrice Harkness. It’s always sad to see characters we’ve grown attached to bid farewell, but let’s face it, if you’re named ‘M’, you’re asking for trouble in Slough House!

In the last episode of season four for Slow Horses, the struggle found its way directly into Slough House – an old, rundown office building, so dilapidated that simply opening the door required a level of force that left the staff wondering if entry was truly worth the effort.

In the sixth installment, a heated gun battle ensued when Frank Harkness’s son Patrice (played by Tom Wozniczka), who was under the influence of high-potency painkillers, moved floor by floor to reach Jackson Lamb’s untidy office where our Slow Horses were concealed. During his ascent, he encountered Marcus (Kadiff Kirwan) and emerged victorious in their encounter.

In the heartbreaking ending, among several heavy hits, we lost Marcus who followed Min – triggering an urgent warning for anyone named ‘M’ in Slough House. This was accompanied by the fatal attack on ‘Bad’ Sam Chapman (Sean Gilder), and River’s (Jack Lowden) difficult decision to place his grandfather (Jonathan Pryce) into a care facility.

However, the final scene has provided a means to delve deeper into the enigmatic nature of characters like Lamb (Gary Oldman), whom we’ve primarily known superficially until now.

Slow Horses season 4's ending scene is one of the show's biggest changes so far

So far, the Apple TV+ series hasn’t revealed much about the character of Lamb beyond his strategic flatulence and sharp comebacks. Compared to the complex characters from shows like Breaking Bad or The Sopranos, we don’t yet understand the motivations behind Lamb’s behavior.

As we move into our fifth season, discussions about the series are beginning to touch upon the idea that it might be growing repetitive or predictable, like an old familiar face.

Every time they return, our motley crew of underperforming spies must accomplish enough to ensure success but not too much that their prolonged stay at Slough House becomes unbearable. It’s a fine balance. To avoid monotony, the series and author Mick Herron often switch up the characters, introducing new dynamics.

Although the main characters remain consistent and their traits are unaltered, the challenge for long-form TV is deciding between developing characters who evolve over time versus those who revert to their original state after each episode ends. The show Slow Horses, however, has leaned towards maintaining a status quo for multiple seasons, but with so much intricate plot unfolding, the reliance on recurring jokes like fart humor can’t sustain itself indefinitely.

Instead, the final scene of this fourth season might offer an unexpected glimpse into the intricate mechanics of the Lamb.

Slow Horses season 4's ending scene is one of the show's biggest changes so far

The final moment of the season sees Lamb summon River to a London boozer to sign some paperwork. After that’s done, Lamb says: “You can stay and have a drink if you like. As long as you get your own and don’t say a word.”

Over numerous seasons, River, who’s been attempting one impulsive action after another with the hope of impressing Lamb, seems genuinely pleased, or as we might say, quite satisfied. For the initial time throughout the series, there’s an extended period of silence between them at the bar, and notably, Lamb hasn’t asked River to leave this time.

For the very first time, Lamb appears to be approaching a state of softness. His emotions run deep following the demise of Sam Chapman, and he’s so touched by the situation surrounding Marcus that he takes an uncharacteristic step: he gives his approval for ten-year payments to Taverner for Marcus’s family.

In a private conversation with Diana Taverner, who is like a colleague to him, Jackson Lamb admitted that Slough House was designed as a location where no one else would be harmed (indirectly hinting at the emotional damage he suffered from executing Charles Partner upon David Cartwright’s orders). Furthermore, his affection for former agent Dickie Bow was evident when he placed a label bearing Bow’s name on the Spooks’ Wall in St Leonard’s church during season two.

But those are explanatory glimpses of his past, not changes in the present.

Exploring Lamb’s tough facade reveals an unexpected layer to the series, providing insight into how he transformed from the composed professionalism reminiscent of Oldman’s Smiley character in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy into the present-day, alcoholic former agent.

However, this unexpected display of sentimentality in the character of Lamb could potentially jeopardize the established tone of the “Slow Horses,” as a more emotionally accessible Lamb might diminish its sharp edges. The delicate act of showing Lamb as being kinder than initially perceived – given his habitual harshness towards his subordinates – is a challenge to ensure he doesn’t then transform into an overly sentimental, lovable curmudgeon.

Up until the end of the fourth season, the show “Slow Horses” may begin to offer some insights and allow us a glimpse behind the scenes.

Slow Horses seasons 1-4 are streaming on Apple TV+.

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2024-10-09 20:19

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