‘Slow Horses’ Recap: ‘Cleaning Up’

12/20/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Christopher Chung and Gary Oldman as Roddy Ho and Jackson Lamb in Episode 305 of ‘Slow Horses’ – ‘Cleaning Up’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘Slow Horses’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

When we last settled in to enjoy the wondrous Apple TV+ series, Slow Horses, we were left with quite the grim and concerning ending. For Tearney made quite the shocking decision based upon the dirty secrets she was hiding regarding Sean Donovan’s beloved Alison, the kind that were so scandalous that she felt letting everyone die in the Facility, would be a better alternative than letting those secrets see the light of day. Giving rise to real worry for the audience because the last thing we ever want to see, is a pair of highly beloved characters exit the series because of someone’s ego and machinations. Which meant we were waiting to see with bated breath, how our heroes would get out of this mess and well, as it turns out… the next episode… only made our worry worse.

For ‘Cleaning Up’ offered… well let’s talk about the good stuff. It offered up answers. For Tearney finally confronted Taverner about everything strange that’s been going on and how that might relate to the fact that a power struggle was in play for First Desk, and well… this was a concern that Tearney was right to harbor. For Taverner discovered… everything. Specifically, that Tearney tried to deploy a controversial device that could steal data wirelessly by being in close proximity to a computer, which would bring into question all kinds of laws and such, and well… Alison was so deeply concerned about this device, she was ready to whistle blow. Only to die for this secret and well, it was Taverner that let Sean Donovan know the truth and set all this in motion. All to bring down Tearney, and well, to do so, it was up to the Slow Horses to win the day and bring justice and well, that’s where the worry came into play.

Because while there were some wins to be found in the Slow Horses’ journey, such what happened with Lamb, there were other moments that were troubling. But again, happy stuff first, such as the fact that Jackson was able to get to the location that Standish was being held and save her from her captors. Which wasn’t exactly a thrilling sequence since Standish was playing Scrabble and enjoying tea when Lamb arrived. But that’s okay. For this quick rescue did allow for there to be an honest and earnest discussion about MI5’s practices when it comes to its own and of course, the peace didn’t last. For the escaped Chieftain employee and his own lackey showed up, to carry out dark orders that were given back at the Facility. Ones that quite frankly, brought the ugly stuff into play.

Kadiff Kirwan and Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Marcus Longridge and Shirley Dander in Episode 305 of ‘Slow Horses’ – ‘Cleaning Up’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

For the plans were simple in nature. The satellite team were to put down anyone in that house and Chieftain and MI5 forces were to infiltrate the Facility by any means necessary and clear it of threats. And while the strike team did just that, good old Nick Duffy and a secondary team would stand watch at the only other exit present here. So that anyone that did escape, would be gunned down with impunity and well, this main plan brought forth some ugly moments. The kind that saw Douglas be dragged out into the night to face his end at the hands of Duffy. Because he knew too much, and it led to an intense firefight within the Facility itself. One where Louisa and River used every trick in their training to delay having to be cornered by the strike team, and they also, reached out for help.

Because Marcus and Shirley were cleaning out their desks when the critical call from River came in. One that gave them hope that perhaps they could redeem themselves, by saving their friends. Which brought them to the Facility as well, wherein we learned that Marcus had quite the set of armaments in his trunk. But alas, their help didn’t go far since they were greatly outnumbered and the firefight inside the Facility, came to a scary head. One where Donovan and Alison’s brother didn’t join the fray until late, for they did not rest until they had their hands on the files. But a bullet took out Alison’s brother and a frag grenade brought our worry to an all-time high. For an explosive device in close quarters such as the Facility can do some serious damage. The kind that might leave us without a hero if this show goes as bold as possible.

But alas, we simply don’t know if that will be the case. Because the screen faded to black after that grenade did its thing. Giving rise to that worry and leaving us on the edge of our seats. In large part because of how fast this whole situation fell to pieces but also because… this was an epic episode through and through. After all, the stakes were sky high, we got answers at last, and our heroes were put to the test like never before. Because just like that, they’re enemies of the state, all because of Tearney and her outright ego and nonsense. Which means we are once again going to be counting down the minutes to next week’s episode, which also happens to be the season three finale. To see if our heroes are okay, and if so, how on Earth they will get out of this mess and make Tearney pay for her treachery and outright awful disposition. Until next time.

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