The Case For ‘Slow Horses’

One of the biggest conversations this Emmy season was that a lot of the big name shows were either over or, because of the strike, production wouldn’t be ready for the Emmy season. This has definitely caused many to declare that the contenders, especially in Drama Series, are particularly weak this year. But one good thing that happened from all of this is that it gave me the motivation to catch up with Slow Horses, a show I now feel deserves to win Drama Series.

While conducting interviews with people on the show, they have mentioned that audiences have been discovering the show and the general consensus is that the show keeps getting better and better–an assessment I agree with. To start with, Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb, a legendary spy for MI5 who now spends his days drinking, sleeping, farting, and not bathing – running his slow horses agents that are punished for screwing up by doing remedial work, is inherently funny to watch. With each of our lead cast able to be great when they need to be, but also complete screw ups in so many ways, keeps them interesting to watch (or laugh at). Then there is the actual spy work that gives us a sense of mystery and stakes that, even though there is humor, the threats are always treated seriously, with death being very real in this world.

This season did something interesting in that it telegraphed earlier who the main adversaries were in a way that made it feel like the showrunners were not trying to insult our intelligence by misdirection or being overly “clever.” It wasn’t who or even what they were doing that mattered but how events were transpiring. It leads to an all-out battle, something this show hasn’t really done before with a serious gun fight against overwhelming odds. Our heroes seem truly trapped as we are told how they are surrounded, but also it is who has them surrounded that creates not just a sense of dread of what they are up against but also a moral issue of who they are fighting. The shots of the battle feel claustrophobic with the interior of the battle, flashing lights, and dust. There is a sense that our heroes will make it, yet this show has set us up that leads can and have died in the past. So my adrenaline was pumping across two episodes, wondering what would happen.

As well as being the most intense show I have seen, of the nominees there is deeper character work going on. Lamb’s past actions play a constant role in events happening in the present (season two is really built around that). Here it is in the interpersonal where Standish (Saskia Reeves), the team member he has known the longest, has to deal with some uncomfortable truths, as well as playing off the theme of corruption in the spy service, with them being the most polar opposite in their mindsets. Then there is River’s (Jack Lowden) relationship with his grandfather David (Jonathan Pryce), who has always been an important part of River’s support network. This season some big events are already having a lasting impact on that, which has allowed both actors to expand their characters.

Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, and Jonathan Pryce have all gotten Emmy nominations recognition for their work. But was equally deserving for where she took Louisa this season. Louisa is in deep pain that she tries to fill with one night stands, booze, and anger at the world. She is still a professional, but the pain and anger is always there. That, and her insults to her one night stands, are another comedic gold mine for the show. She and River have started to slowly bond as well, with the idea of loss and what they go through in fighting for survival. I cannot wait to see where she and the show takes this character

While the show is overall a drama (especially this season), there are great moments of levity throughout. Jackson Lamb’s sarcasm and contempt for all around him open him up for some great insults. One of my favorites from last year that I can not get out of my head is, after literally a dead body has been dropped off, Lamb responding to a phone call saying, “Oh, but that won’t be ******* calling, seeing as he’s now outside impersonating roadkill.” Then as just another level of coolness is the kick-a** song “Strange Game” by Mick Jagger and Daniel Pemberton that plays over the credits. It perfectly fits the show and makes certain I never skip the credits.

This was a winning combination of a fun show to watch, with its mix of action and comedy, and also one that has the deep character drama and moral stakes you want in a great drama. It upended characters’ lives in new and exciting ways that makes me incredibly eager to see the fallout from all that has happened. But I also can’t wait to see Gary Oldman insult everyone again. Slow Horses for the win!