Apple TV+ Slow Horses Review By The OTT Review
Table of Contents
The Spy Thriller, Reinvented
Season 3 of ‘Slow Horses’ kicks off with a bang, literally. An Istanbul chase sequence explodes with Bond-esque thrills, then promptly subverts expectations with sensible cars and messy execution.
This perfectly encapsulates the show’s brilliance – high-octane spy action wrapped in a thick layer of glorious, self-deprecating grime.
Gary Oldman remains a marvel as the hilariously disheveled Jackson Lamb, while Kristin Scott Thomas’ portrayal of Diana Taverner is a study in elegant disdain.
Gloriously Un-Glamorous Heroes
Back in the drudgery of Slough House, our ‘Slow Horses’ find themselves in a post-adventure slump.
River (Jack Lowden) endures the soul-crushing mundanity of paperwork, Standish (Saskia Reeves) offers wry commentary, and others seek dubious distractions at the local pub.
Even Lamb, subjected to a cringe-inducing health check, delivers a torrent of hilariously crude humor. This is the genius of ‘Slow Horses’ – it revels in the unglamorous side of espionage, reminding us that even heroes can be spectacularly flawed.
The ‘Slow Horses’ Paradox
Yet, when a kidnapping thrusts the Slough House crew back into the fray, a fascinating paradox emerges.
They’re derided as incompetent misfits by their ‘proper’ MI5 counterparts, constantly underestimated and sidelined.
However, time and again, the ‘Slow Horses’ display surprising competence. River might be a walking disaster zone, but his instincts are sharp.
Lamb’s slovenly exterior hides a brilliant mind, and even their most reckless actions somehow yield results.
A Star-Studded Cast with Room to Shine
This contradiction is both the show’s greatest strength and a lingering question mark. At times, it feels like the ‘Slow Horses’ are too good at their jobs for the premise to fully ring true.
If placed in a slightly more realistic context, they might run circles around the ‘legitimate’ spies who constantly mock them.
The Bottom Line: Must-Watch Messy Fun
Despite this minor quibble, ‘Slow Horses’ remains utterly captivating. Season 3 seamlessly blends thrilling set pieces with riotous humor.
Oldman and Scott Thomas are spectacular in their scenes, but the supporting cast is just as engaging. Even the villains, with their cartoonish surveillance and exaggerated mannerisms, fit perfectly into the show’s deliberately off-kilter world.
If you crave spy thrillers that don’t take themselves too seriously, ‘Slow Horses’ is an absolute must-watch. It’s a glorious celebration of the genre’s tropes, gleefully subverting them with wit, grit, and a healthy dose of absurdity.
Watch Slow Horses On Apple TV+
Premiere Date: 2022
Slow Horses: Cast & Crew
Genre: Drama; Black comedy; Spy thriller
Director: James Hawes; Jeremy Lovering; Saul Metzstein
Starring: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas
Duration: 30 Episodes
8.1/10
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