Summary
“Hard Lessons” is another solid installment from Slow Horses. Gary Oldman continues to shine, delivering further laugh-out-loud moments with his undeniable charm.
After Catherine’s shock kidnapping in Episode 1, the Slough House gang is desperate to get their faithful colleague back safe and sound. Episode 2, titled “Hard Lessons,” focuses on the team’s efforts to locate Catherine and identify her kidnappers. The Apple TV+ series continues to pile on the pressure in Season 3 of Slow Horses, as River is tasked with an impossible assignment.
The second episode is just as tense as the opener, with River’s subplot employing an anxious, relentless energy.
Slow Horses Season 3 Episode 2 Recap
Picking up where we left off, River sprints through London to the bridge rendezvous point. He’s surprised to find his rival James “Spider” Webb (Freddie Fox) waiting for him there. Spider states that he has been blackmailed into delivering River a message. If he doesn’t comply, his family could be killed. To show they are serious, the kidnappers point a sniper rifle at Spider.
What is River’s mission?
River is tasked with retrieving the Prime Minister’s vetting files from Regent’s Park. He has one hour to complete his mission or Spider’s family and Catherine are dead. River races through London’s underground system over to Regent’s Park, although his history with MI5’s main headquarters is not great. He is not welcome there.
He formulates a plan, asking to speak with his main enemy, Nick Duffy. River hands Duffy a fake diamond, claiming that it is one of the missing jewels from the previous storyline. It is in fact taken from Spider’s tie clip. Duffy drags River to the lab to check if the diamond is genuine. He clearly doesn’t trust his rival.
On their way there, Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas), the deputy director-general of MI5, spots them both walking through the building. Diana asks to speak with River in private. She blames River for her slight demotion in duties. His failures have led to her being placed in charge of moving boxes, stocking up a storage facility. She demands River leave the building immediately.
What clues does Louisa find?
Meanwhile, the Slough House team investigates Catherine’s kidnapping further. Louisa heads back to the spot where Catherine was abducted to search for more clues. She sees a car being towed away; it was the one used to trick Catherine. Louisa takes the details from the car’s glove compartment. This document contains Sean’s name and address.
Back at Slough House, Jackson is paranoid that they are all being followed. He has Roddy call the police using a fake story, whilst Shirley and Marcus stalk a suspicious man in a baseball cap through the capital’s streets. This turns into another chase, but the man escapes this time in a van using fake number plates.
At Regent’s Park, River is fast running out of time. Duffy realizes that the diamond is fake, informing Diana that he has been conned by River, who is now loose in the building. River sneaks through the sections unnoticed but is soon stopped by an old foe, Hobbs. The Slough House agent steals Hobbs’ security pass and heads for the basement.
Roddy tracks River’s movements using his phone and updates Jackson on River’s strange behavior. Jackson understands River’s motives straight away though. He’s then given the location and identity of their common enemy. Louisa stole the car documents and has acquired Sean’s name and address.
Who is behind the kidnapping?
Jackson meets with his old friend Sam Chapman at the local laundromat. They discuss Catherine’s kidnapping and the possible culprits. They agree that it must be a private security firm, presumably Chieftain. Jackson now has an idea of who exactly is involved. He then tells Louisa that Sean must work for Chieftain.
Back at Regent’s Park, River is surrounded by security guards. He jumps down to a level below to escape these men, twisting his ankle in the process. River limps to the basement, using Hobbs’ pass to gain entrance to the filing rooms. He goes for the specific file needed to save Catherine’s life, but Jackson interrupts his mission at the last second.
How does Slow Horses Season 3 Episode 2 end?
Jackson phones, telling River to stand down. He must leave the files and get out of the building right away. River is conflicted, yet he eventually follows his boss’ orders. The agent escapes the building and thankfully Catherine is spared. Viewers are then shown Catherine now freed from her binds, being offered food.
“Hard Lessons” concludes with River making his way back to Slough House. Jackson calls River to tell him that Catherine has been taken by a Tiger Team. He is then chased and kidnapped by Duffy’s men. Duffy has been humiliated for the last time by River, and now he wants his revenge.
What did you think of Slow Horses Season 3 Episode 2? Comment below.
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