Slow Horses Recap: Moving Target

As a lifelong cinephile with a penchant for espionage and suspense films, I must say that Slow Horses has managed to keep me on the edge of my seat week after week. The latest episode, “Returns,” was no exception, with its intricate plot twists, tense action sequences, and Hugo Weaving’s captivating portrayal of Frank Harkness.

In the Matrix films, Hugo Weaving became known for portraying the ultimate unyielding villain. He has since lent an immediate air of authenticity to his character, Frank Harkness, whose operation at Les Arbres resembles a cruel feudal domain in the grimmest town in France (though it may as well be called Lavande, as it seems more likely to smell of sulfur and stale croissants). The series Slow Horses has deliberately built upon this image, subtly providing glimpses of Harkness through silent shots or brief scenes that emphasize his skills as an assassin, terrorist, and madman. If you require someone eliminated — or perhaps a mall full of people eliminated — then he is the one to call.

It’s quite amusing to witness Harkness, who was once portraying a tough character like Lee Van Cleef, now resembling Jack Lemmon in the play Glengarry Glen Ross, frantically trying to convince an upset client to accept a revised contract at a lower price. This client, referred to as “Your Highness,” is powerful enough to be recognized as such. (The reference to an on-site execution squad may unintentionally remind some readers of the alleged assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.) It’s worth noting that Harkness’s client hasn’t ordered the bombing at a mall nor the failed assassinations. Instead, he is dealing with these unfortunate events. Harkness’s efforts to appease his customer seem to be falling on deaf ears, as his client has strategically reserved multiple floors of the hotel to ensure Harkness’s demise won’t be heard by anyone.

Despite finding himself in a tight corner, Harkness somehow buys himself some time, pledging to eliminate David Cartwright and Sam Chapman before midnight. (He grumbles menacingly, “I’ll handle them myself.”) This sets the stage for his confrontation with Chapman’s would-be assassin, who is still recovering from a taxi accident. After dealing effectively with three other agents, Harkness’s actions take a backseat in “Slow Horses,” as the story primarily focuses on the frantic race to protect David Cartwright, a crucial target for Harkness, Chapman, and the Slough House team, as well as for Diana Taverner and the Dogs, despite his deteriorating mental health.

Following his escape from Catherine Standish’s surveillance in the previous episode, David finds himself in broad daylight, eager to set up a meeting with the First Desk for a debriefing. However, the Park, as he knows it, did not exist during the time period he believes he’s living in. Instead, he wanders towards an old building that has since been transformed into a luxury hotel, still maintaining a connection to MI5.

Although much remains unclear about the significance of the events surrounding David, Chapman, and Harkness, the series “Slow Horses” continues to postpone revealing crucial information to heighten tension. The latter half of this episode unfolds as a nerve-wracking action-thriller, with various groups – Slough House, The Dogs, and Les Arbres’ thugs – all closing in on each other simultaneously. River’s return to London becomes increasingly significant, as Emma Flyte is eager for information about his experiences in France, while Harkness, spotted loitering at the train station, likely believes River can help him find his grandfather. It is Flyte who manages to locate River, demonstrating her superior skills compared to her predecessor, but her intentions for him remain uncertain.

Following some noticeable mistakes in recent episodes, “Returns” focuses less on comedic blunders and instead hurries to resolve the current intrigue swiftly. It’s worth mentioning that Flyte has shown significant skill akin to Lamb and Taverner, characters typically adept at espionage. Intriguingly, a quick chat between Lamb and Taverner about the deceased assassin at Cartwright’s place hints at Flyte demonstrating independent thought that unsettles her superior. At the office, Taverner subtly advises Flyte: “Remember, I care about your well-being when I mention that the severance deal is considerably more attractive if you choose to resign, rather than if I terminate your employment.” This suggests a genuine concern on Taverner’s part regarding Flyte.

Claude, however, went against his Second Desk by placing Giti back in the archives for a deeper investigation into the “cold-body program,” which Les Arbres are utilizing. Claude informs Taverner that he plans to privately debrief David and also wants to perform an audit of the agency’s identity programs as part of his pursuit for increased public transparency. Taverner labels him a “self-righteous fool” and fears he is jeopardizing her efforts to prevent another attack like Westacres. The series seems to side with her, given Claude’s apparent naivety throughout, although it may be a common trope in spy shows and films to criticize the idea of government agencies requiring any oversight. It appears that his continued defiance towards Taverner will inevitably lead to a humiliating outcome for him.

Shots:

As a hopeless romantic with an affinity for the captivating, I found myself vulnerable when Flyte, that charming womanizer, was around – not so much because of any danger from you, Shirley.

At Slough House, JK tends to keep a low profile, but his Unabomber-like appearance and peculiar habits add an intriguing edge to his scenes. It seems that the series intends to develop this character further, making him more significant as we approach the climax.

She scolded Standish, implying that if David were a bottle of liquor, it wouldn’t have been misplaced: ‘If he were a bottle of whiskey, you wouldn’t have let it slip away.’

At Les Arbres, Chapman shares some insights into his past experiences, where he was summoned to abduct a young woman. He found the place disturbing and recalls it as being “a mess,” with women and children interacting with what he perceived as dangerous individuals. However, the woman managed to escape, leaving another unresolved aspect for the series to address.

2024-09-25 08:54

Slow Horses Recap: Moving Target

Shots:

Read More

Minority Mindset