The sixth series of the Apple TV espionage thriller "Slow Horses" has premiered, featuring a high production budget that allows for the detailed, gritty portrayal of its characters. The show, which costs an estimated $15 million per episode, stars Gary Oldman as the disheveled intelligence agent Jackson Lamb. The series delves into espionage with scenes depicting characters facing fatal consequences, from being burned alive in shipping containers to drowning in canals.
In the new series, agents of the fictional intelligence service MI5 find themselves in peril. The head of MI5, Diana (Kristin Scott Thomas), appears to have dismissed the entire department without notice. Meanwhile, agent River Cartwright, played by Jack Lowden, is attending the funeral of his grandfather, a veteran spook portrayed by Jonathan Pryce. The cynical tone of the show is exemplified by Lamb's remark that "We've all faked our own death at one time or another."
Gary Oldman's performance as Jackson Lamb has been noted for its deep immersion in the character's unkempt and rancid persona, with one scene involving messy pasta consumption described as particularly revolting. The significant cost associated with "Slow Horses" underscores the investment in contemporary television production, with Oldman reportedly earning approximately $3 million for his role in the six-part season.
In stark contrast to the high production values of "Slow Horses," a new sitcom titled "No Big Deal" has debuted on YouTube, created entirely with AI. This 25-minute comedy features computer-generated actors and sets, with a human writer. However, the execution has been widely criticized for its lack of comic timing, robotic character movements, and poor continuity, resulting in an abysmal viewing experience.
The creator, Andrew Dickinson, aimed to produce a comedy about venture finance, but the AI approach significantly reduced costs compared to a traditional production, which was estimated at £300,000. Despite the cost savings, audience reactions have been overwhelmingly negative, with one commenter describing the show as "like a world where everyone's soul has been sucked out." The article suggests that while AI animation may improve, it will likely never replicate genuine human emotion or performance, potentially leading to a deluge of low-quality, AI-generated content accessible to anyone with a smartphone.