‘Slow Horses’ Recap: ‘A Stranger Comes to Town’

9/11/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Kristen Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner in Episode 402 of ‘Slow Horses’ – ‘A Stranger Comes to Town’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 402 of ‘Slow Horses’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

If there is one thing that can be said of the phenomenal Apple TV+ series, Slow Horses, is that it doesn’t waste a single minute of screen time, and that’s a huge deal. Simply because it is what keeps this particular spy drama so fresh and so inviting. Since such a storytelling decision allows for the plot to chug along and for big reveals to come our way, and it also allows for answers to come forth about the mystery or villains at hand and well, never was the flawless nature of this more on display, than during this week’s brilliant episode of the show. For ‘A Stranger Comes to Town’ kept us on the edge of our seats, thanks to the answers and revelations it sent our way.

Such as explaining what exactly happened on that fateful night at the Cartwright residence. Wherein we came to learn that poor David was genuinely confused and stressed. In large part because of the obvious, because some jackass came into his home claiming to be his grandson. Only to have his grandson show up shortly after that imposter took a shotgun shell to the chest. A move that forced River to work hard to calm granddad down and get him to relinquish the gun, so his panic and his fear didn’t harm the real River, and once that was done… River came to understand something was very amiss here and that there was real depth to this deception. Which prompted him to drop off David and head to France.

But more on that in a moment. Simply because back in London, all kinds of revelations that tied into River’s quest came to pass. Some of which involved David and Jackson. Who we learned used to work together and that Jackson had great disdain in his soul for all things David. Because there were secrets to be had in their past, the kind that were beginning to bubble forth at MI-5. For an everyday employee that was digging into the whole mess, came to discover something unsettling about Robert Winters, the man responsible for blasting the mall and his apartment building to smithereens. In that, he appeared to have received a grand gift from MI-5 after the Cold War. One that would have given him a new identity and a new life, making it seem as though one of this agency’s assets had come back to haunt them.

Jack Lowden as River Cartwright in Episode 402 of ‘Slow Horses’ – ‘A Stranger Comes to Town’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Which of course, Taverner played off as a clerical error from an era long gone. But in reality, that was a cover story. For Winters was an asset, and this was a problem, and she made sure to maneuver about so that Claude would let her work hard on finding this man and his cohorts and of course… that means that Slough House is indeed involved in that search. Simply because Jackson was kind enough to share the good news with the group and speak to how he did his best to keep what River was up to, a secret. All of which will undoubtedly motivate the team to start moving toward understanding what’s happened here to help River, and of course… Jackson made his own moves here as well. Since he took the time to call out the new employee and their purpose for being at Slough House, implying deeply that her arrival might be related to this problem.

But while that was lovely to watch play out, since it spoke to how much the team loves River and how much they do enjoy being the hero despite being seen as cast offs, there was mention of more for River to handle in this tale. All of which came forth when he arrived in a tiny little burgh in France. A place that was filled with suspicion over people, and rightfully so. For up the way was some kind of training facility in an abandoned house. One that revealed the potential mastermind for this mess and that brought forth another juicy cliffhanger. Since the mystery man did enough to get River captured by someone with great interest in him and of course… this man revealed that he has a bone to pick with David Cartwright, and a man that used to work for him.

Implying heavily that Jackson Lamb might be in trouble here. Simply because of his ties to David, and whatever their choices did to this man. All of which will of course be revealed later on since this episode is proof positive… this show keeps it moving and keeps the facts coming. Because now we know that old ghosts and haunts from MI-5’s past are part of the problem here and that revenge is what the Slow Horses will be trying to stop before things get out of hand. Which gave life, to one amazing tale. One that truly did engage us from beginning to end, and oddly, gave us peace. Because despite knowing that River was okay at the end of the last episode, spending time with him here just added much needed comfort, and of course… we are now beyond eager for more. Because this is getting juicy, and we must know why this man wants revenge and knowing this show, it won’t be long before we find out. Until next time.

The Mystery Man (Played by Hugo Weaving) Prepares to Strike in Episode 402 of ‘Slow Horses’ – ‘A Stranger Comes to Town’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

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