Episode 4 of Slow Horses' third season commences with a dramatic entrance by Ingrid, confronting Judd over the Tiger Team's predicament. She vows to rectify the situation, assuring him she'll make it all "vanish into thin air." Her decisive action prompts a call to Diana, where she unexpectedly decides to grant the Tiger Team access to the elusive Grey Books, convinced it's the swiftest path to resolution. Diana, however, is stunned by this unexpected turn of events.
Ho, fueled by a hunch, believes he's uncovered Donovan's hideout for Catherine, only to be swiftly dismissed by Jackson, who insists Donovan wouldn't risk using Chieftain properties. Yet, Sean and River chime in, raising the specter of Spider's involvement. Jackson dismisses their concerns with a shrug, remarking that Spider's demise renders him a non-factor.
The photograph of Catherine at gunpoint reveals a deeper layer of intrigue than initially perceived. Jackson scrutinizes the image, his eyes narrowing as he realizes Catherine is subtly pointing them towards a clue—her gaze fixed on the wall adorned with names. This revelation sets Jackson on a course towards the church, where he confronts Ingrid with her true intentions. She advocates for Slough House to orchestrate the Tiger Team's encounter with the Grey Books, but Jackson sees right through her manipulative ploy; she wants to leverage him to take down Judd and tidy up the mess.
Donovan's confession to Catherine unfolds, painting a picture of a man haunted by the loss of Alison Dunn. He confesses his love for her and the depths of his despair that drove him to alcoholism. Catherine, sharp as ever, counters that MI5 doesn't execute its own agents unless they've betrayed the cause. This revelation hints at a sinister undercurrent, suggesting Donovan possesses an MI5 insider, a damning secret kept hidden.
Just as the veil of secrecy threatens to lift, Donovan's world spins out of control. Pursuing a freed prisoner, he careens into the road, his path colliding with an unsuspecting vehicle, sending him on a wild chase and further entangling him in a web of deceit and danger.
After a fateful encounter with his grandfather, Ingrid promptly dials River's number, her voice laced with urgency as she convinces him to lead the Tiger Team into the heart of the facility, their destination: the elusive Grey Books. Jackson, overhearing the plan, mocks River with a sneer, daring him to proceed if he dares. Meanwhile, Jackson and Ho embark on a road trip, their quest to rescue Catherine fueled by a hunch about her whereabouts. Along the journey, they cross paths with Marcus and Shirley, who've been embroiled in a heated debate over who's actually been fired—a revelation that settles the dust, leaving both of them jobless.
Nick Duffy storms into the private security firm, his presence commanding respect as he lays bare the truth about the chaotic operation they've orchestrated. He doesn't mince words, putting Monteith and his team firmly in their place, reminding them of their role in the mess. Ingrid's call soon follows, her intentions clear: to seize control from Diana once she uncovers the true head of the taskforce—Donovan. The revelation sends shockwaves, though the full extent of the conspiracy remains shrouded in mystery.
Ingrid's visit to Molly uncovers a troubling revelation—the files are being spirited away from the storage facility, and Diana is the culprit. As she departs, River and Louisa's conversation turns poignant, with Louisa's raw emotions spilling out as she grapples with Min's absence. River, empathetic yet cautious, tries to broach the subject, only to be met with Louisa's fierce defense, her words lancing at his own insecurities and the need to prove himself. "I miss him, I just miss him," she whispers, her words heavy with longing, a mirror of River's own turmoil over his grandfather's declining mental state.
Donovan arrives punctually, accompanied by River and Louisa, their entrance into the facility orchestrated by the eccentric warehouse operative. He leads them to the precise location of the Grey Books, but a new twist emerges—a secret hidden within the pages, a truth that must remain concealed from the public eye. Ingrid's call to Duffy sets the stage for a drastic turn of events. She issues a chilling command: "clear the boards," signaling a bloodbath within the warehouse walls. The squad, fully armed and resolute, prepares for the inevitable confrontation, the air thick with the promise of violence and betrayal.
