Summary
Slow HorsesSeason 4’s finale just landed on Apple TV+, and people are already trying to figure out what happened in it and what it means for the hit show’s future. WithSlow Horsescoming into its fifth season, it’s an excellent time to delve into what happened in Season 4’s final episode and explain what will surely be seen as an iconic ending in TV history.
Slow Horseshas become one ofApple TV+‘smost-watched and most-celebrated shows. The show’s third season was nominated a whoppingnine times at the Emmys, including Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Gary Oldman, Supporting Actor in a Drama series for Jack Lowden and Best Drama Series. Things didn’t slow down forSlow HorsesSeason 4, which ended up with a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is unheard of nowadays.
What happened in Slow Horses Season 4’s finale?
The show is based on a series of books by author Mick Herron and was developed for television by Will Smith (no, not that one). As far asSlow HorsesSeason 4’s finale is concerned, the general consensus among fans, critics, and viewers is that it was the best episode of the series so far and really delivered as far as an ending is concerned.
So, what happened in Season 4’s final episode? It was all very tense. The episode, titled ‘Hello Goodbye,’ saw River Cartwright (played by Jack Lowden) come face-to-face with the show’s big bad, the mysterious man behind all of the mayhem, Frank Harkness (played bythe iconic Hugo Weaving). Harkness confirms that he is indeed River’s birth father, which River had figured out during his trip to France.
However, what comes next takes River by surprise. Harkness offers to train River to be part of his organization of mercenaries. Harkness’ groups of mercenaries consist of men who’ve been trained pretty much from birth to be killers, and he wants River to join them. River turns Harkness down, and that’s when MI5 converge upon Harrkness and River’s location. The tricky part is that a ‘shoot-to-kill’ order is out on both Harkness and MI5’s very own River Cartwright.
Harkness manages to escape, and River pursues him to St Pancras International Station in London. He eventually finds his birth father using his spy abilities, and Harkness allows himself to be arrested. However, the rather sneaky individual has a contingency plan and doesn’t think he will be detained for too long. When he’s questioned by MI5’s Deputy Director General, Diana Taverner (played by Kristin Scott Thomas), Harkness makes it very clear that he knows he will be released.
Taverner is then summoned for a meeting at Slough House with Jackson Lamb (played by Gary Oldman). This is where Lamb shows Tavenerer a series of letters he’s found written by Harkness. They are all addressed to the highest-ranking officers in MI5, including Taverner. This was Harkness' plan, and they must let him go. The season ends with River and Lamb having a drink together in a local pub, and we’re left to wonder what will happen inSlow HorsesSeason 5.
Who is Frank Harkness?
Hugo Weaving’s Frank Harkness is the crucial character inSlow HorsesSeason 4 and is easily the most interesting. He’s incredibly sinister, and the revelation that he’s River’s biological father was shocking and exciting because of what it could mean for the show’s future. Will viewers get to see Harkness return in future seasons? The simple answer to that question is yes, they will. People familiar with the source material this show is based on will know that Harkness does return in future books, so it’s safe to assume that we’ll get to see Hugo Weaving return as River’s dad in an upcoming season.
It’s still not clear when that will happen, but ifSlow HorsesSeason 5’s trailer is anything to go by, it looks like Frank Harkness won’t be turning in the next season. He wasn’t inthetrailer, yet should Harkness be making a return in Season 5, the show’s creators might want to keep his involvement a secret until the very last second.
How will River Cartwright react to Slow Horse Season 4’s ending?
After watchingSlow HorsesSeason 4’s finale, viewers will have another question: what does it all mean for River Cartwright? River is many viewers' favorite character in the show. He’s enthusiastic, kind, passionate and seems to be constantly running all over the place. Actor Jack Lowden could giveTom Cruise a run for his moneywhen it comes to running on-screen.
It will be fascinating to see how River reacts to the revelation that his father is the leader of a ruthless and terrifying group of mercenaries. Frank Harkness’s also asking River to join his crew will surely add a level of complexity to River’s situation and feelings moving into Season 5. However, the fact that River turned down Frank quickly and even told his father that he would rather see him behind bars than join his crew is very significant.
Moreover, the show’s ending - River and Lamb having a drink together in a pub - clearly indicates which side River is on. He’s always been very attached to being an MI5 agent, and even though Jackson Lamb is horrible to him, River does respect him and can see that Lamb. This is especially surprising given Lamb’s constant snarky comments and generally disagreeable attitude towards River and the rest of his team at Slough House. River and co. can tell that Lamb is incredibly loyal and will back his spies up no matter what.
Slow HorsesSeasons 1 to 4 are available to stream on Apple TV+.
