Review of Slow Horses Finale Highlights Spy Tropes and British Humor

The finale of the Apple TV series "Slow Horses" concluded with a dramatic episode that invoked the "Moscow Rules," a set of tradecraft principles familiar to aficionados of classic spy tales, reminiscent of John le Carré's work.

These rules, developed by the CIA, emphasize principles such as 'Assume nothing' and 'Never go against your gut.' The show, however, playfully subverts these tropes through its characters, portrayed as hapless failures under the command of unit chief Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman.

The series, while presenting itself as an anti-spy story, simultaneously delivers elements of traditional espionage. The climactic episode featured a double cross, Russian antagonists, a villainess, and a shootout at a safe house. These elements are juxtaposed with subversions of spy movie clichés. For instance, a reference to the James Bond film "Thunderball" appears when a character discovers a harpoon gun in a rowing boat, though it's not used in the manner one might expect.

Kristin Scott Thomas, as MI5 head Diana Taverner, shares screen time with Lamb, whose dilapidated car contrasts with the sleek vehicles often associated with spy fiction. Taverner's character engages in dealings with Russian operatives, leading to a tense exchange with Lamb about treason. Despite the grimy setting and Lamb's unappealing habits, the show maintains a visually engaging quality, with one scene featuring an aerial shot of converging blue dots on a green background, which turn out to be armed guards.

The review noted a continuity error regarding the windows of a coastal safe house, which were blown out during a gunfight but appeared intact later in the episode. This season has also seen a higher-than-usual body count among the characters.