After 5 Seasons, Slow Horses Is Quietly Abandoning Its Original Premise

Slow Horses follows a team of misfit agents in MI5, but the show has evolved a lot over the last five seasons. The hit Apple TV+ spy drama series is a stunning example of how this genre can thrive in a serial format with multiple seasons and episodes to expand on the characters in the show.

With a large ensemble cast of incredible talent including the Academy Award Winner, Gary Oldman, a thorough insight into this team provides an in-depth look at the characters and their place in MI5. However, it has also led to the show needing to change and adjust as the characters develop.

MI5 Uses Slough House As A Dumping Ground For Problematic Agents

Slough House is an outpost of MI5 which has developed a reputation for being a form of punishment for problematic agents. Despite being employed by the agency, they are not granted access to MI5 headquarters without escorts, and they are frequently assigned to low-level jobs.

Even more nefariously, Slough House has been targeted on several occasions by higher-ups like Diana Taverner in order to cover up mistakes for the agency. However, even with a target on their backs, Slough House has managed to find success.

Despite The Bad Reputation, Slough House Consistently Pulls Ahead Of MI5

In Slow Horses season 1, Slough House was sent to a site where suspected terrorists were hiding out. MI5’s Second Desk Taverner was hoping to make them look guilty of having coordinated with the terrorists. But, thanks to the leadership and swift thinking of Jackson Lamb, Slough House got clear of the false accusations.

Since then, MI5 has dealt with a number of high profile cases, while Slough House is largely being ignored or targeted. And yet, Lamb’s team manage to move in, and with incredible accuracy and proficiency, they have saved the day on numerous occasions. Despite this, Slough House continues to be viewed as a blemish among MI5 leadership.

Slough House Should Eventually Be Recognized By MI5 Leadership

Image via Apple TV+

There is no doubt that Diana Taverner has played a significant role in targeting Slough House, and her former boss, Ingrid Tearney, also displayed flexible morals when it came to using these agents as a scapegoat. However, newly hired First Desk Claude Whelan set out to lead MI5 with a more transparent and honest regime.

It’s true that Whelan’s agenda appears to be shifting due to the pressures of his new role, but his rivalry with Taverner could serve to help Slough House in the future. Considering how frequently this team leads the charge in tackling major political dilemmas, it’s time they were recognized for their efforts.

Whelan is in the perfect position to highlight how effective this team is, which could reflect well on his leadership considering their former status. Meanwhile, this would also serve to undermine Taverner, and majorly change the dynamics for Slough House in MI5 in the future of Slow Horses.