Get on the Fast Train to Slow Horses

As a devoted fan of gripping dramas and a long-time subscriber to Apple TV+, I must say that I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming fourth season of Slow Horses! With its intricate plots, unpredictable characters, and a dash of dark humor, this series has become one of my absolute favorites.

There has never been a better time to get into Slow Horses.

To clarify, let me correct that statement: The optimal moment to dive into the captivating thriller series, “Slow Horses”, was actually in the past. This is due to two reasons: firstly, it’s an excellent series that you wouldn’t want to miss; secondly, if you had started it earlier, you would be all set for season four which premiered this week. Lastly, discussing “Slow Horses” with more people like yourself would make the experience even more enjoyable

On this island, I’m not the only one enjoying the Apple TV+ series starring the clumsy British spies, which has been steadily gaining popularity over its initial three seasons and garnering Emmy nominations such as Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor. It seems we are edging closer to a point where Slow Horses shifts from being a show that some people say is good, to a topic widely discussed. It’s always enjoyable when a show turns into something people talk about. The pleasure is amplified when you can boast about having watched it before it became trendy. A dash of pop-culture snobbery can be delightful every now and then

For additional persuasion, let’s go over the primary factors that make this program an unexpectedly enjoyable treat

It is, despite the title, a frenetic blast.

In the book series titled “Slow Horses” by Mick Herron, we follow the thrilling escapades of a team of spies stationed at Slough House, essentially a secondary post for those who didn’t excel in MI5’s main office. Each season introduces a new case or puzzle or intrigue, often involving stolen gems or vile vermin receiving their just desserts, or planes laden with explosives threatening London’s safety. It is highly addictive, not in the way that leaves you feeling hollow, but rather like a nourishing meal. Imagine “24” with a heart and all your favorite characters struggling to perform well at their jobs. This is indeed a praise, as they are all quite terrible at what they do

As a movie enthusiast, here’s my take: If you’re considering diving into this series, I’ve got great news! The show, “Slow Horses,” follows the traditional six-episode British format. This means that in just one or two relaxed weekends, you can breeze through episodes 1 to 3 and immediately move on to episode 4, which is released weekly. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and let’s embark on this thrilling journey together!

Gary Oldman is television’s most flatulent spy.

Gary Oldman portrays Jackson Lamb, the head of Slough House’s team and an incredibly grumpy, unkempt, and disheveled character. He’s a sorry example of a human being, often harsh, dismissive, and seemingly indifferent to basic kindness. There are moments when it appears he takes pleasure in his cruelty, particularly in his interactions with Catherine Standish, who frequently finds herself the target of his jokes about her innocence or battles with alcohol

It’s rather unexpected for the character to bathe more than once a week. His flatulence is so frequent that it could potentially earn its own Screen Actors Guild membership card. When he finds motivation, he makes an exceptional spy, and he secretly excels as a team leader, showing concern for his subordinates (to some extent). (Occasionally.)

But the main thing is that Jackson Lamb is a great television character, a truly original creation who can probably best be described as “Columbo + Scrooge + IBS.” Oldman seems to be having a hoot in the role, too, which has landed him one of the show’s aforementioned Emmy nominations. I hope he wins and opens his acceptance speech with a belch.

My sweet bungly boy River makes a mess of everything.

The individuals at Slough House are all struggling in various ways: Catherine battles alcohol addiction and struggles with personal organization; Shirley has a drug problem and is prone to stealing; Marcus is addicted to gambling and keeps weapons in his car; Louisa tends to bring questionable partners home and has been known to mishandle evidence; Roddy, the eccentric hacker, often makes reckless decisions such as intentionally crashing a party bus into a building. However, it’s River Cartwright who stands out for his exceptional knack for making mistakes

River, played by Jack Lowden, is the grandson of a legendary spy. He is very handsome and means well and is also maybe the dumbest man who has ever lived. He charges into situations with the confidence of a much more competent person, then finds himself in so far over his head he’d need a ladder to see where he started. It’s a little charming, actually, watching this man who thinks he’s James Bond find out he’s Mr. Bean over and over and over. In the last two seasons alone, he has been duped by one woman into storming into British intelligence headquarters in the name of gallantry and by another woman who left him incapacitated in an airplane hangar because he could not fathom that she was the mole he’d been looking all along. I am very excited to see what he screws up in the fourth season. I hope he locks himself out of a nuclear submarine and it sinks to the bottom of the Thames.

Diana Taverner is a world-class schemer with an exciting new haircut.

Hey there! Ever found yourself captivated by Kristin Scott Thomas’s charm? How about exploring a series where she manipulates tiny puppets like marionettes throughout? Perhaps one that features her meticulously orchestrating an internal MI5 coup, a perfect failure that leaves her entrenched in the frustrating bureaucracy, simultaneously gaining and losing power? And let’s not forget, it could include a dramatic hair transformation between seasons – a symbol of her struggle to regain control over one aspect of her life amidst chaos

Absolutely, you will! It’s a delight to see her in action, especially when she glides through the water with the grace of a shark. She has the tact and self-restraint that Jackson often lacks, and she navigates a world he rarely wants to enter. These shared scenes make for some truly captivating TV

The new haircut is pretty nice, too.

Things are escalating as we head into season four.

In simple terms, season three concluded with two action-packed episodes filled with gunfights, betrayals, explosions, and a significant reorganization within MI5 due to these events. The plot was heavily influenced by the activities of the unpredictable characters from Slough House, who both advanced and hindered the storyline. As we move into season four, we’re introduced to a complex conspiracy aimed at undermining the British government, a situation that seems typical for the world of Slow Horses. Yet again, it appears the fate of the entire nation is resting on individuals who wouldn’t be trusted to babysit a pet for just a few hours. It’s all quite thrilling!

You might as well make use of that Apple subscription now that you have it.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the content Apple TV+ has been dishing out recently! The summer has seen some truly engaging B+ shows like “Presumed Innocent” and “Bad Monkey,” with the latter still holding my attention all the way to “Slow Horses.” If you’re among those who joined Apple TV+ due to these shows, I strongly recommend diving into “Slow Horses” as soon as possible. It’s a great way to stretch your subscription dollars and get the most value out of your purchase. Plus, with “Severance” returning in January, and “Ted Lasso” coming back too, there’s even more to look forward to!

2024-09-05 19:11