A raw and intense finale: ‘Slow Horses’ season 4

SPOILER ALERT: This story contains plot details from “Hello Goodbye,” the Season 4 finale of “Slow Horses.”

A sentimental twist in a gritty series

“Slow Horses” has consistently shunned sentimentality. Spymaster Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) exemplifies this detachment, often displaying care for his agents through cold, bureaucratic maneuvers rather than heartfelt gestures. However, the show’s fourth season, now concluded, has flipped the script by diving into deeply personal territory.

The season’s tone transformation was driven by the character River Cartwright (Jack Lowden). Once a promising MI5 agent, River’s relegation to Slough House — a department where failed spies are exiled — provided the foundation of the series. This season, River not only battles external enemies but is also on a personal quest involving his grandfather David (Jonathan Pryce) and his estranged, sociopathic father Frank Harkness (Hugo Weaving).

The personal stakes

Show creator, known for his versatility, found this season’s focus on personal stories particularly fulfilling. “It’s a more raw, more brutal, harder season,” he explains. This strategic pivot towards more intense narratives called for a formidable antagonist, and Weaving, despite their familial bond, was the perfect choice to embody this new level of brutality.

Weaving, renowned for iconic roles, stepped into the series without prior exposure to its storyline, thus bringing a fresh approach. Season 4 is adapted from Mick Herron’s novel “Spook Street,” introducing Frank Harkness as a menacing figure reminiscent of Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes — a villain whose shadow looms over multiple storylines.

Crafting a complex villain

Frank Harkness is a former CIA agent who recruits his private militia in a unique way. He fathers children with various women, raising them to be lethal operatives. This sinister method leads to dramatic tensions, bringing personal vendettas to the forefront.

Harkness’s manipulative tactics were underlined early in the season with a shopping center bombing orchestrated by one of his sons — an act of defiance against Frank, rather than a politically motivated attack. Weaving compares Frank to Saturn, the mythological Titan who devours his young to sustain his own power.

Balancing humanity and villainy

Despite Frank’s cold-blooded actions, Weaving aimed to portray him as a multidimensional character. “I didn’t want him to be just a ghastly inhuman beast,” he notes, emphasizing Frank’s complex relationship with his sons. This duality is apparent when Frank offers River a job under the guise of a genuine family gesture, only to swiftly undercut it with a death threat.

The season’s dramatic arc builds up to a thrilling chase through St. Pancras Station in London, masterfully directed and secured for filming amidst logistical challenges. This sequence, although differing from the book’s river setting, encapsulates the tension and pursued-versus-pursuer dynamic intrinsic to the narrative.

Emotional resolutions and new beginnings

In a poignant aftermath, River is seen dealing with personal turmoil by admitting his grandfather, David, to an MI5-owned facility for retired spies. This scene poignantly juxtaposes ordinary family strife with the extraordinary life of espionage, hinting at future narrative developments involving David.

The show, maintaining the brisk pacing of genre fiction, has already started preparations for Season 5, continuing its rapid production cycle. Though specific details of the upcoming season remain under wraps, it promises to explore the repercussions of Season 4’s events on characters like Shirley (Aimee Ffion-Edwards), still reeling from losing her mission partner Marcus Longridge (Kadiff Kirwan) in a fatal confrontation.

Looking ahead

As for Frank Harkness, fans can expect more of his sinister influence. Weaving teases his return in future books, indicating that his character will continue to challenge the Slough House team. This ongoing narrative tension ensures that “Slow Horses” will remain a compelling watch, blending raw personal stories with intricate spy intrigue.

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