I just watched all 18 episodes of “Slow Horses” in one week – and now it’s one of my favorite series ever
“Martin, why haven’t you seen “Slow Horses” yet?!” I’ve been asked this question many times a lot. Since I never had a good answer, I was bombarded with a long list of reasons why I must Drop everything and watch the Apple TV Plus hit as soon as possible.
As ridiculous as it may sound, I take my job seriously. If I’m supposed to recommend, review, or compile lists of must-watch shows and movies, I believe I should cram in as much as possible so I can stay ahead of all the great stuff being offered on the best streaming services. Unfortunately, streamers’ ever-growing content libraries make this a nearly impossible task, meaning some shows inevitably fall by the wayside.
Given its reputation—the series currently has an impressive 98% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes—I was ashamed to admit that I hadn’t rented Slow Horses in a long time. For the record, I Was I was interested in this series, but since I’m three seasons behind (and the fourth season of Slow Horses is just around the corner), I couldn’t quite see how I could fit the last few seasons into my weekly viewing schedule.
But after reading how my colleague Malcolm McMillan watched every single episode of “Industry” before the premiere of the third season and The explosive trailer for season four, I decided to stream the very first episode. One week (and 18 episodes) later, I’m very glad I did.
“Slow Horses” is addictive – and that’s why I love it
If you don’t know, Slow Horses is a British spy thriller that revolves around a very special MI5 department: Slough House. What’s special about this particular group? Well, it’s filled with spies who have made career-ending mistakes but, miraculously, haven’t been fired yet.
There they take on boring tasks and are often verbally abused by their angry, flatulent boss Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman). And yet they are somehow Despite it manages to become involved in several conspiracies that threaten to destabilize the nation.
This could sound what the setting for a workplace comedy and yes, “Slow Horses” is very funny, but make no mistake, each six-episode season could rival some of the best spy thrillers of all time.
Slow Horses is a gripping, well-written mix of sarcastic British comedy and fast-paced action. Featuring a band of losers who are easy to like, the film switches between comedic and suspenseful moments with ease.
The inevitable gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and street chases are always well-crafted, thrilling moments…but they’re almost overshadowed by the show’s comedic timing.
Watching our agents face off against their enemies is no more entertaining than, say, watching promising young agent River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) clumsily create a (bad) cover story, or watching the team hurl rude comments at each other during one of their (many) confrontations.
I think the skillful way the show conveys narrative tension is probably why I read through it so quickly. Each episode offers plenty of laughs, but it contains just enough world-building, twists, and information about the current case to keep you hooked. Plus, there’s inevitably a killer cliffhanger that leaves you desperate to know what happens next.
British television produces a lot of crime stories, but Slow Horses is really top-notch. Even if your job doesn’t depend on television, I would urge you to watch Slow Horses as soon as possible. As I have proven, you can light Stay tuned before season four drops next month.
If you’ve already seen the antics of Slough House and need a new show to tide you over, check out our guide to the best shows on Apple TV Plus to find your next binge.
