Episode 5 of Slow Horses' fourth season commences with Molly trudging towards her solitary abode, unaware of the impending storm. Her tranquility is shattered by the ominous ringtone, and to her dismay, it's Frank Harkness on the line. He flaunts his weapon, virtually demanding entry, adopting the alias of Mitch Philpott, a name that instantly triggers recognition in Molly's mind.
Mitch's insatiable curiosity leads him to pry for information about Sam Chapman and David Cartwright, and Molly, trapped in her subterranean exile, finds herself all too willing to oblige. Little does she realize that she's merely a pawn in his game, her absence from the Park unlikely to arouse suspicion given her secluded existence.
Desperate to evade his clutches, Molly attempts to bluff, but Frank's no fool. He sees right through her facade, wielding a knife menacingly, his words dripping with the threat of mutilation. The tactic works, and Frank gains unfettered access to Molly's database, delving into the whereabouts of Emma and River.
River, ever the strategist, urges Emma to unleash the photograph as a bargaining chip, hoping to gain the upper hand in this twisted game. Emma heeds the call, dispatching the image to Giti, pleading for her assistance.
As Frank remotely monitors the cameras, he observes the Dogs' apprehension of River outside David's residence. River's sole desire is a fleeting encounter with David, a mere five minutes to ascertain his well-being. However, his mention of Catherine's abode sets Emma's nerves on edge, Diane's unyielding stance against any such encounter only fueling her frustration. Diane, the ranking officer, insists on River's immediate detention and confinement.
Elsewhere, Jackson and Catherine engage in a cat-and-mouse game with the erratic David, who insists on being escorted to the First Desk. In their absence, Louisa rallys the troops, attempting to chart a course of action. Her investigation into Chapman's whereabouts leads them to suspect hospitals as a likely hideout, oblivious to the tragic truth that he's already met his demise.
Claude valiantly attempts to conduct a PowerPoint presentation, only to stumble and falter, as the core predicament looms large: two vital IDs have fallen into the wrong hands. Amidst this turmoil, Claude keenly recognizes the urgency to silence Giti, a task fraught with challenges since she's been tasked by Emma to delve into the incriminating photograph.
Matters take a surreal turn when Giti unexpectedly arrives, presenting Claude and Diane with the incriminating evidence, a stark image of the entire family that shatters Claude's carefully crafted veil of plausible deniability.
Jackson employs ruthless tactics to break David's resolve, his accusations ringing with certainty—David is the one who orchestrated River's demise. The psychological warfare works, eliciting a chilling revelation: the woman Sam Chapman rescued from Harkness's clutches was none other than David's daughter, a pawn in his twisted scheme to breed an army of assassins. David's desperate bid to separate her from his twisted plans led him to target her, and the only path to reunite her with Rose was to cater to Frank's demands.
David's ties to Westacres expose him, and those affiliated with this nefarious network find themselves perilously listed among the targets for elimination.
As the truth unravels, Patrice makes a strategic appearance at Molly's abode, armed with Chapman's phone, ready to intercept Cartwright's call. However, Frank's displeasure knows no bounds upon discovering Patrice's defeat at the hands of the Slough House misfits. He chastises Patrice, demanding that he harness his grief and fury to rectify the situation.
Jackson Lamb, sensing Chapman's absence and the looming threat of Frank Harkness's unwavering gaze, rallies the team for a strategic regrouping. The situation grows dire, as Frank possesses all the necessary information to eliminate them with ease. Yet, in a surprising twist, he spares Molly, leaving behind a sinister trail of cards on her desk, one ominously inscribed with "Claude."
Tragedy strikes when Emma, River, and the Dogs find themselves ambushed. River, handcuffed to the car, becomes a helpless prey as Patrice swoops in, unleashing chaos. With a swift blow, he incapacitates Emma and frees River from his shackles, only to abduct him, cramming him into the trunk of his car and speeding away.
