Episode 3 of "Slow Horses" kicks off with the television screens blazing with the aftermath of the recent Sons of Albion attack, igniting a spark of eagerness within the hearts of the MI5 misfits who eagerly gawk at the unfolding drama. Louise and Min, their thirst for action unquenched, find themselves drawn to the nearest watering hole, where a casual drink soon morphs into a heated embrace as they stumble, laughter-filled, into the confines of Slough House.
However, their intimate moment is abruptly shattered by the distant echo of footsteps above, casting a shadow of intrigue over Lamb's office. The duo cautiously ascends the stairs, only to be ambushed by a shadowy figure cloaked in mystery. In the ensuing chaos, they tumble down the stairs, Louise's swift reflexes revealing the assailant's true identity—Jed Moody, stone-cold dead, his lifelessness a grim testament to the violence enacted.
Meanwhile, Cartwright's fate hangs precariously until Lamb arrives like a knight in shining armor, swooping in to save him from his hospital bed ordeal. Outside the hushed corridors, Lamb's temper flares at Cartwright's impulsive decision to alert authorities about Sid's gunshot wound, lambasting him for his reckless ambulance escapade. Sid's condition remains a foggy enigma, shrouded in uncertainty save for the faint glimmer of hope that she might yet survive.
As Lamb and Cartwright slip away from the hospital's prying eyes, MI5's notification of their departure echoes through the airwaves. But within the confines of their car, Cartwright confronts Lamb head-on, accusing him of hiring Sid as a spy. Lamb, unfazed, retaliates with his own inquiry about the enigmatic thug who targeted Sid.
River Cartwright's detective instincts kick into overdrive as he deduces that the assailant's silence during the attack could be a cunning ruse, designed to frame him as a rogue Son of Albion. And indeed, the ruse proved successful, with Jed Moody's true colors revealed as the mastermind behind the deception.
Returning to the familiar confines of Slough House, the duo meticulously examines Moody's lifeless form, uncovering the bug that had been surreptitiously planted in Lamb's office, along with two mobile phones, one of which remained largely untouched. Lamb's dry wit shines through as he playfully spars with Cartwright's jokes, eventually venturing out to the serene canals where he encounters Diana. Amidst a subtle display of authority, Lamb casually reveals Moody's demise, his quip about forgotten shoelaces a clever smokescreen for the truth.
It transpires that Diana has orchestrated an intricate scheme, embedding one of her agents deep within the ranks of the Sons of Albion to dismantle them from within. However, fate takes an unexpected turn when Hobden, eavesdropping on Diana's meticulous plan, seeks to expose it all through Peter, the esteemed MP. The revelation shatters the illusion; this entire operation is but a ruse, a false flag designed to deceive, as the Sons of Albion harbor no genuine intention of executing Hassan. It's a daring gamble, hinging on a delicate web of interlocking factors, one of which neither Diana nor the Sons had anticipated: Hassan's desperate bid for freedom.
As he frantically attempts to pry open the basement's confines, mere inches from liberty's grasp, Hassan is abruptly hauled upstairs, his escape thwarted. Lamb, seeking to safeguard this intricate web of deceit, demands the Standish file, immunity for his men from Moody's untimely demise, and the discreet disposal of Moody's remains. Diana acquiesces, sealing their bargain.
In the dead of night, Hobden confronts Peter, spilling his knowledge and imploring him to unravel the deception. Instead, he's met with a resounding fist and a stern order to depart. Yet, in the solitude that follows, Peter makes a clandestine call, its recipient a mystery.
Meanwhile, Lamb marshals the Slough crew, their mission now clear: to rescue Hassan from his impending doom, as per Diana's arrangement. On the other side of the spectrum, within the Sons of Albion's lair, Curly, a volatile member, succumbs to panic. Amidst attempts to regain composure, he interrogates one of his own, only to swing an axe in a fit of rage—straight at Diana's undercover operative. A grotesque twist, utterly unforeseen.
When Lamb and his team arrive, they're confronted with an eerie emptiness: the Sons of Albion, along with Hassan, have vanished, leaving behind a grim testament to their failure—the neatly severed head of their undercover ally. A chilling omen, indeed.
