Slow Horsesseason 3 ended with a dramatic conclusion to the show’s most explosive installment yet – delivering plenty of thrills, along with a tantalizing set-up for season 4. Like the rest of the series,Slow Horsesseason 3 tells a self-contained story, incorporating many distinct narrative tangents from in and around Slough House. However, while the show’s previous chapters do connect,Slow Horsesseason 3 represents perhaps the most interconnected entry yet – informing both past and future events in the show’s timeline.
Slow Horsesseason 3, episode 6 brought several dramatic plot threads to a close. Not only did the episode resolve the cliffhanger over River and Louisa’s entrapment at the MI5 records facility, but it also saw Lamb and Roddy finish their daring mission to rescue Standish. In typicalSlow Horsesstyle,the two storylines blend riveting (and sometimes violent) action with the series' signature black humor. However, while both incidents had relatively happy resolutions, the season also ended with some profound implications for future storylines and specificallywhat will happen inSlow Horsesseason 4.
What Happens In The Slow Horses Season 3 Ending
River And Louisa Escape, And Lamb Rescues Standish
AfterSlow Horsesseason 3, episode 5 ended with a grenade appearing to explode in River’s face,it was unclear whether he and Louisa would make it out of the MI5 underground facility alive. After being hunted down by the mercenary crew and aiding the rogue agent Sean Donovan, the pair were firmly in the line of fire – engaged in a vicious shoot-out that continued throughout the finale. However, while they seemed destined for death, the pair were rescued by the timely arrival of unlikely double-act Dander and Marcus. Not only did the duo rescue River and Louisa, but they also killed corrupt “Dog”, Duffy.
Meanwhile, Jackson Lamb went toe-to-toe with Hobbs and Sturges after they had been sent to silence Standish and the final member of the Tiger Team once and for all. UsingHome Alone-style improvised booby traps, he successfully got the better of the pair – although not without assistance from Standish and a bus-driving Roddy. However, even though Standish had been rescued,she and Lamb had a major falling out before the episode’s endwhen Lamb finally revealed that he had killed her former boss, Charles Partner – explaining their frosty relations inSlow Horsesseason 4, episode 1.
AlthoughSlow Horsesseason 3 was the series' most action-heavyarc to date, perhaps its most important moment came during its final moments.Donovan’s plan had revolved around his determination to leak the secretive “Footprint” filestored at the MI5 facility – a document that confirmed the involvement of First Desk Ingrid Tearney in a disastrous operation. Having retrieved it from the facility, River presented it to his grandfather, seeking his advice. His reaction not only proved his loyalty to the service, but also his deteriorating mental state – key themes heading intoSlow Horsesseason 4.
Why Tearney Wanted To Kill River And Louisa
She Wanted To Cover Up Her Involvement In Footprint
Duffy’s determination to exterminate everyone at the MI5 records facility stemmed from Tearney’s attempts to cover up her involvement in the Footprint fiasco. In season 3, episode 1, Donovan’s former lover, Allison, is shown being murdered after attempting to leak the information.Everything that follows is a desperate attempt by Tearney to remove any trace of her involvement– including killing members of Slough House who inadvertently become aware of the situation. This puts River and Louisa directly in the firing line.
…theSlow Horsesseason 3 finale is as much a story of political and professional ambition as it is action.
By aligning themselves with Donovan’s mission to unearth Footprint, River and Louisa become Tearney’s enemies. However, as is often the way with Slough House agents, they are actually just pawns in a bigger scheme. It becomes clear that the only reason Donovan knows about the Footprint file is because Diana Taverner told him about it – hoping to oust Tearney and assume her position. This means that theSlow Horsesseason 3 finale is as much a story of political and professional ambition as it is action.
Why Standish And Lamb Fight After The Rescue
Standish Refuses To Accept The Truth About Charles
As is typical of his character, Jackson Lamb spends the aftermath of his Standish rescue antagonizing her and being generally unpleasant. However, while the two have exchanged barbs throughout the show, this time is different. Becoming exasperated with Standish’s devotion to her old boss, Charles Partner,Lamb devastatingly reveals that he was a traitor who was using Standish’s alcoholism as a cover for his own corruption. Standish, refusing to accept this, explodes with rage, resigning from Slough House and setting the stage forSlow Horsesseason 4’s new-look team.
…it’s because there is genuine feeling between the pair that their falling out in the season 3 finale is so impactful…
Lamb and Standish’s relationship is perhaps the most complicated on the show. Though the pair are often unpleasant towards each other, it’s clear that there is a deep respect between the characters – demonstrated by Lamb’s willingness to put himself in harm’s way to rescue Standish. In fact, it’s because there is genuine feeling between the pair that their falling out in the season 3 finale is so impactful – marking the first sincere hostility in their relationship.
What’s Happening With River’s Grandfather (& Why It Matters For Season 4)
It Sets The Groundwork For A Key Season 4 Story
After surviving the records facility incident, River takes the recovered Footprint file to his grandfather – ostensibly looking for guidance on whether or not he should leak it. Their exchange continues two key themes established earlier in the season and which only become more relevant in season 4. The first concerns David Cartwright’s mental faculties, ashe seems initially not to appreciate that he is talking to his grandson. This shows his decline after he was refused entry to his old members' club earlier in the story.
The second is David Cartwright’s ongoing complicated relationship with MI5. Out of loyalty to the service (and seemingly invalidating all the sacrifices that went into acquiring the document), he burns the Footprint file, citing the reputational damage it could cause. It’s only subsequently revealed that River had already made a copy and always intended to leak it.These moments place River and his grandfather’s relationship front and center ofSlow Horses– creating a natural segue into season 4’s opener, in whichDavid appears to shoot River Cartwright, before this is revealed as a double-cross.
Who Is The New MI5 First Desk (Is It Taverner)?
Her Ambition Is A Key Driving Force
Behind the scenes,perhaps the most important person pulling the strings inSlow Horsesseason 4 is Diana Taverner. After trying and failing to scheme her way to prominence with the botched false flag operation in season 1, Taverner sees the Footprint debacle as an opportunity to get what she wants – leadership of MI5. By the time the episode ends, it seems as though she has achieved her goal. Tearney is forced to resign and the dangerous Peter Judd – the unscrupulous right-wing politician with whom she’s had previous dealings – is also out of the picture.
However, in predictableSlow Horsesstyle, things are not as simple as they seem. InSlow Horsesseason 4, it’s revealed that Taverner is actually not the new First Desk, having been passed over in favor of the insipid Claude Whelan. This state of affairs not only speaks to the complex dynamics that dominate British politics, but also the fruitlessness of Taverner’s high-stakes gambit throughoutSlow Horsesseason 3.
What Slow Horses Season 3’s Ending Really Means For Season 4
It Sets Up Some Central Story Elements
Maybe more than any other season,Slow Horsesseason 3’s ending sets up multiple strands that continue into season 4. Standish’s resignation sparks a restructure at Slough House, withher replacement Moira Tregorianand fellow new arrival J.K. Coe integrating themselves into the team. River’s complicated relationship with his grandfather is now the dominant storyline, having been hinted at by their obvious disagreement over whether to leak Footprint. And, of course, Taverner is still not where she wants to be, with Whelan standing in her way.
By highlighting the complexities of Lamb and Standish’s relationship, demonstrating River’s gradual loss of faith in his mentor, and Taverner’s ruthless determination to do whatever it takes to further her career,Slow Horsesseason 3 set up all the elements for a dramatic fourth season. Of course, it may be that some of these stories will take several seasons to fully unfold. However, there’s no doubt that season 3’s ending helped bring them into even sharper relief.
