Slow Horses Season 1 Finale

Follies – The show begins with MI5 Agent (Paul O’Kelly) alerting Peter Judd (Samuel West) that he has a visitor. River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) monitors activity from his vehicle. Whispering, Cartwright questions what the other Slough House agents are doing. Accusing a sleeping Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) of tossing their cellphones away, he says they could have contacted them to potentially stop them from undergoing illegal plastic surgery.

At the Smithfield 24HR Café, Roddy Ho (Christopher Chung), Louisa Guy (Rosalind Eleazar), Min Harper (Dustin Demri-Burns), and Catherine Standish (Saskia Reeves) are trying to hack into the car rental’s computer system. Roddy explains how his strategy to tap into the rental van’s “Theft Recovery Transmitter” is beneath them. Min asks if it is possible to track the van’s activity. He tells them the intermittent signal provides updates every 10 minutes. He says the kidnappers are on A12 east. When he informs them of the petrol stop, Standish suggests they report it. Min asks if she is suggesting calling it into Regent’s Park while they are under suspicion of the kidnapping. She says they need to report it to another source.

Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) confronts Peter about his continuous contact with Robert Hobden (Paul Hilton). She threatens to pull CCTV surveillance footage to confirm her suspicion. She tells him that Hobden was desperate when he visited him. He denies her allegations. She accuses him or someone close to him of contacting the Sons of Albion. She assures him there are phone records to validate her statement. She warns him of his phone records having numbers that his wife doesn’t know anything about. He assures her that his marriage is open. Raising her voice, she tells him that she hasn’t a care about his marriage before reminding him of the kidnapping.

When he refuses to give her any information, she threatens to have his life destroyed if he continues to stay silent.

Standish returns to the café to alert her of a potentially failed attempt to call in the kidnapper’s van. Min informs him that he is going to try to find the kidnappers. Louisa agrees to accompany him while Standish says she, and Roddy will go to Lamb’s place. Roddy assures her that Lamb is not home. She questions how, he is sure. He admits to installing a tracker on all Slough House agents’ vehicles a year ago. When Standish gives him a dirty look, he assures her it was a safety measure for times like these.

Peter says her visit has nothing to do with Hobden or his phone calls, it is because she must make a move. She demands that he reach out to the Sons of Albion to determine where the kidnappers would go after leaving the United Kingdom. He denies knowing anyone connected to the Sons of Albion. She reminds him of his being beaten by Greg Simmonds (Christopher Fillers) in golf. He asks why Simmonds should do her a favor. She demands he tell Simmonds there is not enough time to knock his door down. She threatens to throw them both in jail. As she walks away, he informs her of his being aware of the “Frontline Club” and her conversation with her brother. She asks if he wants to play this game now. He assures her that there is no better time than now.

She orders him to get dressed because he is going to the basement at Regent’s Park. She suggests he wear a comfortable outfit that he doesn’t care about getting messy. He reminds her of their same problem, Hobden. She hands him his phone.

Standish and Roddy locate Lamb’s vehicle. Lamb demands to know how they found his vehicle. Reaching down into his vehicle wheel well, Roddy pulls out a tracker. Lamb suggests he reinstall it for future potential car theft. Standish suggests they have the photographs of Diana and Jed Moody (Steven Waddington) since they haven’t been arrested. Cartwright admits to checkmating Diana. Roddy questions if they planned to tell them. Lamb is upset about Min and Louisa tracking the kidnappers. Standish denies giving them approval. Lamb sarcastically suggests they get killed to prevent further problems for the Slow Horses.

Emerging from Peter’s house, Diana gives Nick Duffy (Chris Reilly) a paper containing an address, of where the kidnappers are supposedly headed.

Lamb and Cartwright pull up to alert Diana of the kidnappers’ planned destination, Harwich. She questions how he knows. He informs her that Alan Black/Moe (Sam Hazeldine) rented a van for the kidnapping. He says they tracked the van’s theft tracker. He tells her that Roddy and Standish will fill her in on the details. Cartwright asks if he is going to sleep. Roddy Diana the van’s license plate number and theft locator ID. Diana asks if Lamb and Cartwright are going to track the kidnappers. Standish tries to convince Diana to tell her what she knows about Charles Partner’s (James Faulkner). Diana reminds her of how she pulled a gun on Spider Webb (Freddie Fox.)

She accuses her of missing an opportunity to return to Regent’s Park by not returning her call. Standish sarcastically asks why she would want her job back before ordering Roddy to stay quiet and walk. They head to Slough House.

Louisa alerts Min of Hassan Ahmed (Antonio Aakeel) paying for gas 20 minutes earlier. She isn’t happy when he wants to get food. Curly (Brian Vernel) talks about his experience of seeing the ruined Norman Castle. He suggests utilizing it as the backdrop for Hassan’s beheading. Larry (David Walmsley) pleads with him to skip the castle and go straight to the boat. Zeppo’s (Stephen Walters) lifeless body lays in the passenger seat. Reminding of what happened to Zeppo, Curly cocks his gun. Larry promises that they will kill Hassan. He asks if he is being truthful. When he places the tip of his gun against his neck, Hassan assures him that Curly won’t do it while he is driving. Curly threatens him.

Roddy alerts Lamb that they are about 20 miles behind the van. Lamb orders him to hack into Regent’s Park’s computer system. Cartwright asks him to check on Sidonie “Sid” Baker’s (Olivia Cooke) condition by tapping into the hospital’s computer system. Disconnecting the line, Lamb informs Cartwright that Sid passed away. He goes on a rant about all the people he lost by the time he was his age.

Larry pulls the van into a remote area while Curly holds Hassan at gunpoint. When he opens the passenger side door, Zeppo’s body falls to the floor. Curly orders Hassan and Larry to toss his body into the brush. Hassan warns Larry that Curly will kill them both. He pleads with Larry to help him escape while he binds his wrists and ankles. Larry demands he shut up. Curly grabs his ax before they walk into the brush.

Min’s vehicle runs out of gas. Louisa scorns him for not getting gas. He claims to have been distracted. She accuses him of having his mind on sex. When he tries to sit beside her, she orders him to get away from her.

As they walk the trail, Hassan continues trying to convince Larry to protect him. Larry pushes him behind a pile of shrubs and orders him to be quiet. When Curly passes, he cuts the binds from his feet and hands. Curly is irate when he realizes they are missing. Larry orders Hassan to take another direction while he returns to the van. He tells Curly that he got away. While Curly is looking around, he hits him with the ax before fleeing the scene. Recovering, Curly fires his gun in Larry’s direction. Larry continues to run toward the van. Hassan runs through the woods as Curly tries to recover. Larry hops in the van and drives away. After looking at a deer, Hassan turns to see the tip of Curly’ pistol.

Diana informs Agent Owen (Lesley Harcourt) and Agent Singh (Bally Gill) that she wants Hassan’s parents, Abdul Ahmed (Ravi Aujla), and Fatima Ahmed (Melissa Suppiah) brought to London. She orders to keep it from the press when Ingrid Tearney (Sophie Okonedo) orders her to the office. Diana informs her that Black was not connected to Lamb. Tearney tells her what Black did looks bad for Regent’s Park.

Min admits it has been some time since he has been with a woman who did not detest him. He describes their time together as “amazing.” While they continue talking, Lamb speeds right past them. Cartwright asks if he is refusing to pick them up. Lamb reminds him that they only have 10 minutes before MI5 arrives.

Larry is thrilled when he arrives at the boat. MI5 agents pull up in boats and vehicles. Duffy orders him to get down. When he gets on his knees, he reaches back to feel his back, which is covered in blood. Duffy orders the agents to shoot him. He informs Diana that no one is in the van. Duffy pulls a gun wrapped in a white cloth out of his vest and lays it beside Larry’s body. He tells Diana he was armed.

Roddy updates Lamb on Larry. Cartwright asks about Hassan. Lamb asks about the van’s last stop. Roddy tells him it was five miles in the opposite direction. Lamb turns the car around.

Curly tells Hassan that he knew Larry wasn’t a genuine soldier. Hassan sarcastically says Larry escaped. Curly claims to have let him get away. He says it had nothing to do with him being a crappy shooter.

Lamb picks up Min and Louisa before heading to the van’s last stop.

Hassan laughs when he sees the Norman Castle. He assures Curly that it is only a replica, not a genuine castle. Curly refuses to believe him. They enter the castle as Lamb pulls into the parking lot. Lamb assures them that they are in the right place by looking at the tire tracks. He shows them Zeppo’s lifeless body lying on the ground. Cartwright asks for his gun while he takes a seat on a log.

An MI5 helicopter approaches the area. Cartwright takes off running toward the castle.

Curly sets up his camera to record the beheading. He orders Hassan to get down on his knees. When he refuses, he forces him to the ground. He tells Hassan that there are two options, he will commit suicide, or they will kill him. Hassan continues to taunt him as he prepares to behead him. Curly shoots him in the arm when he calls him “stupid.” Cartwright fires a shot in their direction. A shootout ensues. Hassan approaches from behind, hitting Curly in the head with a rock. He prepares to kill him with the ax when Cartwright identifies himself as MI5. He swings the ax but misses. Cartwright grabs Curly’ gun and binds his hands before applying a tourniquet to Hassan’s arm.

Hassan asks him to call his parents. Cartwright tells him that he doesn’t have a phone on him. MI5 approaches in the helicopter as Min and Louisa run through the entrance of the castle. Tearney and Diana watch footage from Regent’s Park. She asks, who are the people at the scene. Diana identifies the Slow Horses. Duffy orders everyone to stand by as they assess the area. He claims a potential bomb has been detected at the scene. He asks for a kill order. Hassan suggests Curly should go to court, not be killed. Running toward Curly, Min flips the bird at the helicopter. Diana shakes her head in disbelief. Louisa tries to convince Min to move away from Curly.

Duffy orders the area to be cleared. Cartwright runs over to help them pick up Curly and move him to a safe location. Diana orders Duffy to stand down and the helicopter pulls away. Tearney orders Diana to follow her. She informs her that Slow Horses have fouled up the whole service. Diana reminds her that Hassan survived. Tearney reminds her that Hassan and Curly know an MI5 agent was working on the inside. Diana tells her that there are no records of Black. She promises to keep Hassan quiet. Irate, Tearney orders to “clean it up.”

Curly and Hassan are taken away in an ambulance as the Slow Horses leave the scene.

At Slough House, Roddy is watching a news segment about the kidnapping. Hassan’s family gives a word of thanks for their service. Standish says they did well. Min suggests they celebrate with a bottle of wine. Lamb asks what there is to celebrate because Hassan practically saved himself. Roddy informs Cartwright he has information on Sid. Louisa changes her mind about a drink but tells him she will be available later.

Roddy informs Cartwright that the hospital or Regent’s Park don’t have any records of Sid. Confused, Cartwright asks what exactly it entails. Roddy says there was never a Sid Baker. In return for the information, Cartwright tells him that MI5 sent him to Slough House because he was so much better than all the others. Whispering, Roddy assures them that it is impossible to put him in a cage like a dragon.

Lamb puts the folder containing the photos of Black and Diana in a plastic bag. Cartwright sees Lamb leave. He starts going through the trash scattered all over the floor.

Hobden tries to entice someone named Natasha to put him on air. He assures her the news is a lie when Duffy shoves him out in front of a garbage rubbish truck.

Diana meets Lamb to exchange documents. He asks if Hassan knows anything that could alter their story. She assures him that he will not talk after his student debt was paid off and a decent sum of money was donated to his comedy club. She asks what he wants to do with Struan Loy (Paul Higgins). When she suggests the wilderness, he agrees.

Cartwright visits David Cartwright (Jonathan Pryce). David suggests he keep a low profile to maybe get back to Regent’s Park.

Lamb arrives at his Slough House. He hides Standish’s file in his desk drawer. Standish paces back and forth while having a flashback of the day she found Charles dead in the bathtub. She approaches Lamb to ask what Diana was going to tell her at their meeting. Laughing, Lamb asks if she doesn’t have anything else to do. He claims Charles told him that he saw some unfriendly people and asked for a gun. He says Charles’s death changed him, which is why he asks for Slough House. He describes Slough House as a “place to run out the clock, nothing matters, and no one gets hurt.” She leaves without saying anything.

In a flashback, Charles runs a bath. Lamb forces his head into the water. When he pops up, Lamb shoots him. He rushes out of the house and back to his car, where David Cartwright is waiting. He asks if Charles is dead. He acknowledges that it is done.

Lamb lays on a sofa smoking a cigarette as the episode comes to an end.

 

Slow Horses Review

There is only one word needed to describe the finale, disappointing. The ending failed to tie up loose ends created over the period of six episodes. If anything, the ending was nothing short of a forgettable failure.

There was no urgency to provide viewers closure or at least, a satisfying ending. Why would there be when the show was already approved for a second season? I overlooked all the discrepancies until the finale failed on all levels.

Let me say kudos to Kristin Scott Thomas, as she did superb in making her character, Diana a cruel, cold-hearted villain. Not only was I disappointed that Diana maintained her prominent position at Regent’s Park but also when the Slow Horses was fully satisfied with the outcome.

It slipped my mind to mention in my last review, Louisa’s treatment of poor Min was on the verge of abuse. If this is what they call romantic, I’d hate to see their version of unromantic. They took rude to the next level.

Why they opted to utilize such a large cast is questionable. Most of the characters were obsolete, others were lucky to get three minutes of airtime each episode. This isn’t to mention, the characters that were killed off within the first few episodes. It was like they knew it was a mistake after it was too late.

There was no suspense buildup from start to finish. If anything, I was just glad to see the episode come to an end. Get more Slow Horses recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.