Episode 3 of Slow Horses Season 2 kicks off with Min embroiled in a perilous predicament, only for the camera to sweep wide, revealing a cunning twist: he's seated across from two menacing Russian security thugs, the entire scenario a cunning ruse. They had anticipated his tail since his departure from the park, yet amidst a drunken haze and a barrage of witty quips, Min somehow escapes unscathed, leaving viewers relieved yet intrigued.
Elsewhere, River embarks on a perilous mission under his assumed identity, venturing into the heart of Upshott. It's a dangerous game of chess, with Jackson cunningly utilizing River as a pawn to flush out the elusive cicada killer, his suspicions firmly planted on Chernitsky. River, oblivious to his role as bait, receives a jolting revelation when Lamb receives a chilling call—one of their agents has fallen.
And who is this fallen agent? None other than Min, who, after his narrow escape from the Russians, met with an unfortunate accident while cycling home, struck down by a speeding vehicle. Lamb and Catherine rush to the scene, their senses tingling with suspicion as they investigate, sensing a deeper conspiracy at play.
The devastating news falls heavily on Louisa, who finds solace only in the promise of returning to work, a request Lamb eventually grants, his own pursuit of those lurking in Upshott, particularly the enigmatic barmaid, relentless.
Unaware of these intricate machinations, River, deep in his undercover operation, discovers the barmaid's hidden talent—the ability to pilot private aircraft. Seizing a fleeting moment of solitude, he surreptitiously snaps photos of the office, each click capturing fragments of a puzzle yet to be fully unraveled.
However, amidst River's absence, a sinister shadow looms as the bartender's father, Duncan, prowls around, casting aspersions. It becomes undeniable that River's phone has been surreptitiously shifted from its designated spot within the locker, a clear indication of tampering before their flight. River promptly dials Lamb, updating him on the unfolding drama and the suspicion that Duncan might be their true quarry.
Louisa remains ever-vigilant during the security operation, ably assisted by Marcus, who steps in to fill Min's shoes. As the briefing progresses, River ventures to confront the barmaid, Kelly by name, and her enigmatic family. Duncan's demeanor betrays a profound mistrust towards River, though he maintains a cautious facade for now.
Pashkin, seemingly content with the robust security measures orchestrated by Louisa and her team, gives the nod for the pivotal meeting to proceed without delay.
Meanwhile, Lamb delves deeper into the Min mystery, grilling the driver, Rebecca, for the truth. Her initial claim of a mundane hit-and-run rings hollow, and Lamb's piercing gaze exposes the lie. Through relentless interrogation, he manages to crack her facade, revealing that she wasn't behind the wheel, and that the fatal collision wasn't perpetrated by their assumed vehicle after all.
As for River, he finds himself treading on thin ice as Duncan's distrust of his cover story deepens with each passing moment. A call from Catherine shatters any lingering illusions, confirming that Dickie's murderer, Andrei Chernitsky, is not hiding in Estonia but has remained in the UK all along. Even more shockingly, Andrei has arrived at Duncan's doorstep, donning the alias of Leo, prepared to sip tea amidst the deception.
