Slow Horses season 3 ended in December 2023, with season 4 set to premiere this year. While there is no specified release date for season 4, it is good to brush up on the Slow Horses season 3 finale before the next part.
In season 3, it is revealed that a tiger team kidnapped Catherine Standish. They were hired by a private firm, Chieftain, to reveal the weaknesses of the MI5 security system. Home Secretary Peter Judd approved and ordered this mission.
However, Diana was aware of Judd’s intentions and also knew that Donovan wanted to take revenge for the death of Alison Dunn, his lover. She used it to her benefit. She planned for Sean to get hold of the files and leak them to bring about Ingrid’s downfall.
At the end of episode 5, we see River and Louisa locked up in the parking facility with Sean Donovan and Allison’s brother Ben. Ben dies in the finale, but what about the others?
Here’s a complete breakdown of the Slow Horses season 3 finale for your convenience.
1. What happens to River and Louisa in the season 3 finale?
River and Louisa manage to escape the facility with Shirley and Mucus’ help. They try to fight the operatives and keep them busy. River and Louisa take the chance to get out of the facility through an exit point.
They meet Shirley outside the exit point, who helps them get out on time and avoid trouble. We will learn more about what happens to them after the escape in season 4.
River and Louisa also take the confidential files with them, which they later use to expose Ingrid.
2. What happens to Sean Donovan and the files?
Sean Donovan does not manage to escape the facility. MI5 agents kill Donovan at the end of the Slow Horses season 3 finale.
However, Sean’s work does a lot of good for those who make it out alive. River is able to take the files to his grandfather, David. David tells River to destroy the files to protect the security services’ reputation and name.
River throws them on fire as per his grandfather’s words. However, he keeps copies of them in his car. Later, River releases the documents to punish Ingrid for getting Allison Dunn killed. Therefore, Sean’s last wish to avenge Allison’s death is fulfilled.
3. Who rescues Catherine?
Jackson and Roddy rescue Catherine from the safe house where she was held hostage. They also stop MI5 from raiding the house. However, Catherine ends up quitting Slough House after an argument with Jackson.
However, things get complicated when they stop at a petrol station on their way. Catherine and Jackson argue that the latter is being “off” with her, while Charles’s Partner could always see the real him.
The two break into an argument, and Jackson ends up revealing the truth about Charles, the former director general of MI5. Jackson says that Charles was a traitor who revealed secrets to the Russians for 10 years.
He reveals that Charles kept Catherine as his assistant as she was drunk most of the time and wasn’t vigilant enough to catch what he was doing. He also wanted to frame Catherine for his crimes.
However, Jackson does not tell Catherine that he killed Charles on the orders of David Cartwright, as was seen in the season 1 finale.
Jackson also accused Catherine of knowing it all along but not having the courage to admit it. In the raging moment, Catherine quits Slough House immediately and walks back from the petrol station.
4. Diana Becomes the New Director General
At the end of Slow Horses season 3, Diana Tavener’s plan becomes successful, and she becomes the new director general of MI5.
Diana’s plan was to expose Ingrid Tearney. It works as River and Louisa escape with the files and reveal the documents, bringing about Ingrid’s downfall. Ingrid is forced to leave his job, and Diana becomes the new director general.
Lamb also returns Shirley and Marcus to their jobs. Catherine does not join them as she quits.
5. About Slow Horses
Slow Horses is a spy thriller television series based on the Slough House series of novels by Mick Herron. The series premiered on Apple TV+ on April 1, 2022.
Slough House is an administrative purgatory for MI5 service rejects who weren’t outright fired, and those consigned there are known as “Slow Horses.” They’re expected to endure dull tasks and occasional mental abuse from their miserable boss, Jackson Lamb, who expects them to quit out of boredom or frustration. And yet the Slow Horses somehow get involved in investigating schemes endangering Britain.
The series has aired 3 seasons so far and has been renewed for season 5.
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