‘Slow Horses’ Recap: ‘Uninvited Guests’

12/13/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jack Lowden as River Cartwright in Episode 304 of ‘Slow Horses’ – ‘Uninvited Guests’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 304 of ‘Slow Horses’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

It truly is quite amazing, how season three of Slow Horses on Apple TV+, has packed in so many surprises. After all, the season opened up with an ugly attack on Slough House. Making it seem as though an old enemy had returned to make their lives hell, only to reveal… that it was a grandiose test to get at MI5 to bring the private sector into the intelligence industry. Which in turn, gave way to more nefarious surprises. Such as the fact that Sean Donovan was eager to see the Grey Books and look into grand conspiracies for reasons that weren’t quite clear, and he was ready to shed blood as necessary to make that happen, and well… the surprises just keep on coming regarding this season.

A feat that this week’s episode, ‘Uninvited Guests’, accomplished, by way of Tearney, and the stunning decision she made. In that, she decided to fight fire with fire and make the Ministry look the fools. Simply by giving Donovan and the Tiger Team what they wanted. Granted, she needed there to be an escort for such a mission, which was why she asked Jackson Lamb to be that man, and he of course… staunchly refused. Because he had a feeling she’d try and burn him in such a move, and it was best to just leave it be and move along… and he was right to think in that particular manner. But more on that later. Because as Tearney worked to figure out who would be the escort to embarrass the brass, Donovan revealed his true intentions regarding the Grey Books to Standish.

In that… everything he was doing, revolved around Alison and her untimely passing. For he was convinced that she was killed by MI5, and that whatever she was planning to share with the world was what got her killed. And he was simply using the Grey Books as cover to get into that facility so he could finally learn what Alison learned and bring justice to her passing, and the whole reason he wanted Standish, is because she knew where he could find the files in question. And once she learned that this was about justice and a family matter, she offered up a tiny clue to help them accomplish their mission. All of which was quite surprising. Since this made it clear this was a personal mission for Sean, one that was finally coming to fruition for him, and the surprises didn’t end there.

Sopé Dìrísú as Sean Donovan in Episode 304 of ‘Slow Horses’ – ‘Uninvited Guests’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Because eventually, Tearney was able to find her escort. For she called River, and of course spoke to this being an opportunity for redemption for him, since the whole mess at the Park loomed large over his head. So, after some consideration and conference with his grandad, who had another slippage moment… he opted to go for it. After all, it would get Standish back, and settle some sour scores at the Park, and so he and Louisa made their way to the document facility with Donovan in tow, thinking they would simply get in and get out, and execute the final part of Tearney’s plan. Which was to arrest Donovan with a bevy of Chieftain officers once the mission was complete, and that simple setup, led to the most stunning moments of the hour.

For while the Chieftain team was being assembled, complete with the other hostage, who escaped the clutches of the Tiger Team, and while Lamb and Roddy were off to rescue Standish of their own accord, Tearney came to learn what Donovan was really up to, thanks to her conversations with River. Which prompted her to open up the file on Alison, and confirm to the audience, that she was indeed assassinated and harbored an incredible secret that MI5 wanted to keep a secret. Which prompted Tearney to ask River’s arch enemies in MI5, to clean house. Putting River and Louisa in grave danger while reaffirming Jackson’s hesitation to skip the mission and reason for offering his light warning to River about taking part in it… and that’s about as stunning as it gets. Since such a move informs us that Tearney is on a power play and ready to remove any assets she deems necessary to showcase her ability to be the right choice to run MI5.

Which is of course, a stunning betrayal and a cruel one at that. Because River and Louisa were just doing their jobs and have ZERO knowledge of what’s going on. But clearly, Tearney is all about being cutthroat and brutal to make her way forward in the business and that sets some high stakes for the final two episodes of season three. But while we wait to see what comes next from this hideous double cross, we really can celebrate one brilliant and surprising tale. Because it really didn’t seem as though Donovan was doing much outside of poking the bear for revenge, when in fact, he’s ready to spill secrets, and Tearney really crossed some lines here in showing her true colors and well… all we can do now is wait impatiently for resolution and more hardships, since Slough House has a tough fight ahead. Until next time.

To learn more about season three of ‘Slow Horses’ and it was means to Actor Jack Lowden, who plays River Cartwright on the show, check out our interview with him, here.

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