Film & TV

Slow Horses Season 2 Review

Season 2 of Slow Horses builds on the gritty spy drama of the first season, offering higher stakes, emotional depth, and Gary Oldman’s captivating return as Jackson Lamb.

Written by George Patient
Updated: October 1, 2024

Slow Horses season 2 returns on Apple TV+, bringing back the misfit MI5 agents exiled to Slough House. Based on Mick Herron’s novel series, this season dives even deeper into Cold War conspiracies, Russian operatives, and internal MI5 power struggles. Helmed once again by Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb, who many will recognise from his iconic portrayal of Sirius Black in Harry Potter, Season 2 balances sharp wit, intense drama, and a riveting plot. Get ready for more of Lamb’s foul-mouthed wisdom and chaotic leadership.

Overview

Great

8.5 out of 10

8.5

👍 Good Stuff

+ Sharp dialogue and character-driven plot.
+ Gary Oldman’s stellar performance as Jackson Lamb.
+ Dark humour contrasts perfectly with tense moments.

👎 Bad Stuff

– Some episodes feel slow-paced.
– The complex plot might be tough for new viewers.

Summary

Slow Horses Season 2 offers an intriguing blend of character-driven drama, suspense, and dark humour. As one of the top spy thrillers of recent years, it balances gritty storytelling with sharp wit, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

Episode-by-Episode Breakdown and Review

Episode 1: “Last Stop”

Jackson Lamb is on high alert after a former spy is found dead, kicking off the season with intrigue and danger.

The season begins with the mysterious death of a former spy, thrusting Slough House into a dangerous web of espionage. Lamb’s leadership is put to the test as new players emerge, and old scores resurface.

Key Moment

Lamb’s calculated decision to keep the investigation in-house shows his distrust of MI5’s higher-ups.

Highlights

+ Gary Oldman’s return as the gruff, cynical Jackson Lamb.
+ The underlying tension surrounding the former spy’s death.

Rating:

8.0/10

Episode 2: “From Upshott with Love”

Lamb liaises with a Russian defector who may hold a clue to sleeper agents. River is on the trail of a ruthless assassin.

Lamb and River find themselves on separate paths as Lamb seeks to uncover hidden Russian sleeper agents, while River is on the hunt for a deadly assassin. Their missions intertwine with deadly consequences.

Key Moment

Lamb’s tense exchange with the Russian defector hints at Cold War-era grudges.

Highlights

+ The Cold War nostalgia embedded in Lamb’s dealings with the defector.
+ River’s relentless pursuit of the assassin.

Rating:

7.9/10

Episode 3: “Drinking Games”

River gets cozy in the Cotswolds while searching for a sleeper agent. Min discovers Russian drinking games are the most brutal of all.

River’s mission takes him to the Cotswolds, where he comes face-to-face with a sleeper agent. Meanwhile, Min finds himself in dangerous territory when Russian operatives introduce him to some of their deadliest games.

Key Moment

Min’s realization that he’s in over his head during the intense drinking game showdown.

Highlights

+ The deadly games the Russians are willing to play.
+ River’s delicate handling of the sleeper agent.

Rating:

8.2/10

Episode 4: “Cicada”

Louisa makes her move on Pashkin. Catherine makes moves of a different kind when she plays high-stakes chess with a sinister stranger.

Louisa confronts Pashkin, while Catherine finds herself embroiled in a psychological chess game with a dangerous stranger. The tension builds as their paths converge with high stakes and deadly consequences.

Key Moment

Catherine’s high-stakes chess match, which mirrors the ongoing spy games.

Highlights

+ The parallel storylines of Louisa and Catherine, both taking bold moves in their own way.
+ Louisa’s confrontation with Pashkin, setting up the bigger conflict to come.

Rating:

8.2/10

Episode 5: “Boardroom Politics”

Lamb orders his Slow Horses to walk into traps. River believes something alarming is heading toward London.

Lamb’s decision to have his team walk into carefully laid traps heightens the stakes, while River grows increasingly convinced that a larger threat is looming over London. The episode sets up the finale’s explosive conclusion.

Key Moment

Lamb’s calculated gambit to have his team walk into a trap, showing his ruthlessness and strategy.

Highlights

+ Lamb’s complex strategy as he navigates internal politics.
+ The tension building towards a city-wide threat in London.

Rating:

8.6/10

Episode 6: “Old Scores”

Lamb and Katinsky go head to head. River finds himself trapped on a train with a Russian assassin.

In the season finale, Lamb faces off with Katinsky in a high-stakes showdown, while River finds himself in deadly proximity to a Russian assassin aboard a train. The tension and action culminate in an explosive conclusion.

Key Moment

The final confrontation between Lamb and Katinsky, where old scores are finally settled.

Highlights

+ River’s tense standoff on the train with a lethal assassin.
+ Lamb and Katinsky’s final, long-awaited confrontation.

Rating:

8.6/10

Conclusion: Why Slow Horses Season 2 Is Worth Watching

In its second season, Slow Horses elevates the intrigue and deepens the character dynamics that made the first season such a standout. The series delivers a perfect blend of Cold War nostalgia and modern espionage, anchored by stellar performances—most notably Gary Oldman’s gruff yet captivating portrayal of Jackson Lamb. Season 2 brings more emotional depth, higher stakes, and a razor-sharp wit, cementing Slow Horses as one of the best spy dramas currently on TV. While the pacing slows in some episodes, the narrative payoff in the explosive finale makes it all worthwhile.

Overall, Season 2 manages to capture the dark humour and tense thrills fans have come to expect while expanding the storyline in unexpected and thrilling directions.

Final Verdict: If you’re a fan of gritty, character-driven espionage stories, Slow Horses Season 2 is an absolute must-watch. It builds perfectly on the groundwork laid by Season 1, offering even more suspense, action, and unexpected twists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Slow Horses Season 2 better than Season 1?

Both seasons of Slow Horses are great in their own right. Season 2 builds on the foundation laid by the first season, offering more intricate plot lines and heightened stakes. While some viewers may prefer the setup and introduction of characters in Season 1, others might enjoy the more intense and personal stakes in Season 2.

Do I need to watch Season 1 before Season 2?

Yes, it’s recommended to watch Season 1 first. The events of Season 2 build upon the character arcs and storylines from the first season. Watching Season 1 will give you a better understanding of the dynamics between the characters, especially Jackson Lamb and his team.

How many episodes are in Slow Horses Season 2?

Season 2 of Slow Horses consists of six episodes, just like the first season. Each episode is around 40-50 minutes long, making it a quick but thoroughly engaging watch.