Chris Connor reviews the fourth episode of Slow Horses season 4…
After the aftermath of the conflict at the end of the previous episode, Lamb grills bad Sam Chapman about how this connects to Lavendres. Sam realises there is a connection to Les Arbres and makes it clear he doesn’t want this intel going anywhere near The Park. This adds an extra layer to an already intriguing situation, it must be something major if he wants MI5 kept firmly away.
Sam eventually debriefs Lamb on the situation, without spoiling any particulars it was a complex situation that explains some of Harkness’s backstory and what ties Cartwright and Chapman to it and why they’d want to keep it away from The Park. Sean Gilder has always had an air about him as Sam Chapman but given the opportunity to expand his role here, we dive into his backstory and relationship with Lamb.
This episode gives us our clearest look yet at Frank Harkness as we follow him conducting a business meeting. We also get a glimpse at his organisational prowess, planning his next move against MI5, having made his way to British soil.
This is the least we’ve seen of River to date as he makes his return to the UK and MI5 plan their next steps over how to deal with him and David. The Slow Horses, with Bad Sam in tow, race to get to David before the Park’s operatives do.
One of the delights of any Slow Horses season is the interactions between Jackson Lamb and Taverner, while their moments together have been fewer this season, Oldman and Scott-Thomas as are as electric as ever. While the drama and stakes are upped, the show is never afraid to pepper humour into proceedings and as ever strikes a perfect balance with the cast all on song.
The final few minutes provide more pulsating action as multiple group’s look to stay ahead of their opponents and find answers. Bad Sam fighting one of Harkness’s team is some of the most visceral and brutal action in the show to date, with plenty more in store for the final two episodes as things spiral again. The climactic moments with River discovering some intel on Les Arbes show Jack Lowden at his very best. This season continues to impress as it builds to an all action climax, once again proving why Will Smith and co are so widely lauded, Mick Herron’s extra input into this season obvious.
Chris Connor
