Ex-Slow Horses return to the fold as assassins close in. Taverner faces the fallout of her TV interview.
Sid and Moira don't identify as Slow Horses even though they worked at Slough House. It was an undercover assignment for Sid. It was punishment for Moira. They were able to escape. That seemingly impossible task meant they could have superiority complexes over those destined to remain in this purgatory. None of that matters to those targeting Slow Horses. The assassins are going after the names on the list. It doesn't matter what the circumstances behind their assignments to Slough House were. Every name is marked for death. Jackson doesn't view Sid and Moira as his joes either. He doesn't send the Slow Horses out to retrieve them. He only mentions River and Louisa. They deserved to be at Slough House. He knows precisely what kind of agents belong on his team. They are rejects. They will never amount to much. River continually feels he can do better. And yet, he's incapable of escaping any more than the other Slow Horses. He's destined to remain. He hasn't accepted that. He hasn't had much time to process any of his emotions either. He expected to be walking into a showdown with his father when he was only armed with a crowbar. Instead, he was greeted by Sid. He was stunned because he thought she was dead. That was the story told to him by the Park.
River felt guilty about what happened to Sid. She actually had to endure the trauma of getting shot. Three years have passed since then. River still trusts Sid. She points out that she technically outranks him. Her mission takes priority. She figures the agents have been sent to kill her. She's right to believe a target is on her back. It's just a benefit for the assassins that they find River and Sid together. They are both names to be crossed off their list. They receive much more pushback than their previous targets. However, they failed to kill Moira. The gas leak wasn't successful. Standish and Shirley got to her in time. It's notable that Standish is the only one to think about Moira. She replaced her at Slough House when Standish left. She aimed for a higher level of professionalism. Now, they must once again work together to survive. They can't escape the stink that comes from being associated with Slough House. These entanglements will persist no matter how hard they try to break free. Moira has stature at the Park once more. And yet, no one thought to check on her. Diana didn't want to make a big deal about two Slow Horses dying. It was better for it to be a coincidence. That doesn't just happen in this line of work. Jackson knows that. He confronts First Desk. It's not quite enough to provide any more clarity to the situation.
Diana was embarrassed on national television. It all stemmed from one word. That was enough to land her in trouble. She knew it as soon as she walked off set. She didn't want to join in on the celebration. Nor does she want to admit to a mistake. She's once again in full self-preservation mode. That's top priority. She can't allow one word to remove her from the office she has long sought. She's effective in fighting back against those who seek answers from her. She uses the words of transparency and accountability against those who profess their importance in this line of work. She demotes Flyte to make a point. She won't have anyone challenging her. Her stance needs to be supported no matter what. Flyte followed protocol. She alerted Jackson to Struan's death. It wasn't out of compassion or suspicion. It was just an update on one of his former joes. Diana doesn't want the trouble. She's alarmed to hear an ex-Dog has also been killed. Jackson takes Reece into custody. In doing so, he finds a bit of a kindred spirit. He too can fart on command and delights in making Roddy do whatever he wants. The story he has to tell is still alarming. Frank has been hired to complete a job. Diana rejects any notion that it could be connected to any active assignments. Jackson knows better than to take her at her word.
River and Sid are running for their lives. They are the ones currently being targeted. It's nice to see Louisa again. However, she's just preparing for the future. That sets up expectations now that she's armed. Like Marcus, she too becomes a victim of dynamic pricing. She hates it but can't do anything about it. That's the humor. The danger resides on the farm. River and Sid hide out amongst cows and a clueless neighbor. It too offers some more intrigue about the inciting incident that triggered this clean-up. Sid presents some Russian connections. She had questions about an assignment. It was determined to be nothing more than a glitch. That was the same explanation given for Slough House being removed from MI5's digital files. No one cares to investigate further. Yet it carries some severe consequences for those forever tried to this unit. Sid, Moira and Louisa couldn't escape. River and Sid are lucky when Coe eventually finds them. That's presented as safety from the assassins. However, Sid's insistence on contacting Diana makes them sitting ducks once again. It's stunning as the assassins catch up to them immediately at the bowling alley. No one is out of danger just yet. Moreover, it's alarming how Coe feels more human the more he kills. That's a troubling confession as River isn't trying to connect with his colleague. He'd rather escape with Sid even though that's precisely (albeit unknowingly) where the danger is.
