Slow Horses Season 4, Episode 5, "Grave Danger," saw several twists as the plot revealed more of the mysteries of the story. Fans witnessed a major escalation in the hunt for River Cartwright (played by Jack Lowden) and his grandfather, David Cartwright (played by Jonathan Pryce).
The previous episode left off with River being caught by Emma Flyte (Ruth Bradley), the new head of The Dogs, after he sneaks into his grandfather’s house. Meanwhile, Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) teams up with Catherine Standish (Saskia Reeves), a former Slough House agent, as they go on a mission to find David. Sam Chapman is murdered by Patrice, who works for Frank Harness (Hugo Weaving) as an assassin.
As both Frank and MI5 search for the Cartwrights, the episode sets the stage for an exciting finale. This article discusses the events of Slow Horses Season 4, Episode 5, particularly David Cartwright's connection to Frank Harness.
Slow Horses Season 4 Episode 5: Frank’s surprise visit to Molly Doran
Slow Horses Season 4 Episode 5 doesn't hold back on the twists and turns of the story. This is a crucial turning point in the series, as it shows just how desperate Frank is to cover his tracks. He is determined to kill anyone who could potentially expose his ties to the WestAcres bombing and the Les Arbres compound.
Molly is the head of records at the Park, so she has access to important information, and Frank knows this. After showing up at her door, he presses her for information related to his targets. He is under pressure from his unnamed boss to make up for the WestAcres bombing incident, which was Frank’s idea.
Cold bodies were false identities created during the Cold War, which have resurfaced now in the present day, and it’s causing chaos for MI5. Frank pressurizes Molly to reveal details about David Cartwright and Sam Chapman, who are his remaining targets.
This visit shows that Frank is using all possible means, including impersonating a former MI5 operative, Mitch Philpott, to manipulate Molly and get what he wants. Molly tries to resist, but Frank's threats force her to provide him with everything he needs.
Meanwhile, Jackson Lamb and Catherine Standish are able to rescue David Cartwright and move him to a safer location. But Sam Chapman doesn’t make it; he becomes another brutal casualty in Frank’s desperate attempt to cover his tracks.
David Cartwright’s connection to Frank Harkness
In Slow Horses, David Cartwright’s link to Frank Harkness dates back to his time as a top official in MI5. The episode reveals a shocking twist during Jackson Lamb’s interrogation of David. Lamb takes advantage of David’s dementia and convinces him that his grandson, River, is dead.
David, then, starts admitting by saying that he did it all for his daughter. He explains that Frank had taken his daughter away. He also reveals that Frank Harness is an ex-CIA operative and used to be a special forces agent.
Frank wanted to build what David describes as a “deniable assassination squad.” This group, led by Frank, was trained from childhood to become lethal, untraceable soldiers for hire.
We learn that David’s involvement in this dangerous plan was driven by his need to get his daughter back from Frank. In a desperate bid, David made a deal with him. He traded the cold body passports and also money and weapons with Frank for his daughter’s return.
However, he was shocked to discover that she may have wanted to stay with Frank voluntarily.
Frank leaves letters behind and Patrice gets to River
As we progress through episode 5, we learn that Frank does not kill Molly even though it seemed like he would. Patrice arrives at the scene and informs Frank that Chapman is off the list now, but he did not disclose any information before his death.
Patrice tells Frank that he should be punished as he got outsmarted by MI5 rejects. In a twist of events, Frank hugs and tells him that if he had to choose among his sons, he would have always chosen Patrice. Patrice’s strength and determination is restored hearing this and he goes off to catch River.
After Frank’s actions, Molly finds letters addressed to different MI5 agents, which includes Claude Whelan. It appears as if Frank wanted Molly to deliver the letters and so he did not kill her.
Meanwhile, Patrice manages to track the car of The Dogs and enters the scene with blazing guns. He knocks Flyte off and tries to break through the car window to get to River, who is handcuffed to the inside of the car’s door.
River is in a pretty vulnerable situation. But shockingly, Patrice, instead of killing River, shoots his handcuff off and frees him. This makes us wonder if River is kept alive so he could engage in a chat with his now apparent biological father, Frank Harkness.
Needless to say, Slow Horses Season 4 Episode 5 sets up the stage for a thrilling finale with plenty of twists and revelations.
The finale of Slow Horses Season 4 will air on October 9, 2024.
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Slow Horses Season 1 through 4 is available to watch on Apple TV+.
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