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River Cartwright is struggling with his personal issues, as others around him keep pointing out. After last season’s shocking revelations about his father, Frank Harkness, a former CIA operative, River (played by Jack Lowden) finds it hard to regain his focus. Lamb (played by Gary Oldman) harshly compares him to a “crack-up, a drunk, [and] a psychopath,” while Standish (played by Saskia Reeves) criticizes him for not handling his problems effectively. Louisa (played by Rosalind Eleazar) bluntly tells him, “You’re a mess,” emphasizing that he is not allowing himself to process his emotions.

Despite these observations, River remains unaware of his state. He does lash out at Shirley (played by Aimee-Ffion Edwards) without reason and makes poor decisions, but his rough demeanor has always been part of his character. This stubbornness has landed him in Slough House, MI5’s holding area for troubled agents, yet it has also helped his team succeed repeatedly over the seasons. So, is River truly in need of help, or are others projecting their issues onto him? After five seasons of Will Smith’s insightful series, it becomes clear that Lamb is correct in his assessment: River is indeed a mess.

As the season unfolds, the theme of perception versus reality becomes prominent. In one instance, Roddy (played by Christopher Chung) narrowly escapes being hit by a van, leading Shirley to claim she saved him from an attack. However, Roddy argues that she was merely looking for an excuse to harass him and demands compensation for his damaged clothes. This raises questions about whether someone is truly targeting him or if Shirley’s recent loss is clouding her judgment.

Later, Roddy tries to impress a woman he believes is out of his league, but his ego and a night out at the club complicate matters. Is he genuinely finding love, or is she being paid for her company, as his friends suggest? The distinction between appearance and reality extends beyond individual experiences. Season 5 is set against a backdrop of political chaos, highlighted by the murder of a campaign volunteer by a gunman linked to the opposition. Investigators brace for political fallout, but when it’s revealed that the shooter was killed by someone else, a series of questions arise: Who was involved? When did it happen? Why?

As strange events unfold in London, the team of scruffy spies must navigate what to believe and who to trust, aside from Lamb. They grapple with whether the current crises are merely coincidental or part of a larger conspiracy. They also question how much they should reconsider previously dismissed theories if one outlandish idea proves true.

Season 5, consisting of six episodes, is engaging and clear, with a focus on the chaos that unfolds without losing sight of the overarching narrative. The randomness of events is not just a plot device; it plays a crucial role in the story. Ultimately, the team’s ability to make sense of the chaos becomes their key to success. While distinguishing reality from perception can be challenging, the series emphasizes the importance of intelligence in addressing public issues. It critiques anti-intellectualism and the distortion of facts, reminding viewers of the essential role of intelligence agents: to possess knowledge and use it to maintain peace.

River, embodying the image of a troubled young man, is indeed a mess, while Lamb, who defies expectations, serves as the perfect figure to call him out. If we can agree that the seemingly put-together young man is more confused than the disheveled older man, there may still be hope for a shared understanding rooted in truth.

Grade: A-

“Slow Horses” Season 5 premieres on Wednesday, September 24, on Apple TV+, with new episodes released weekly until the finale on October 29. The series has already been renewed for a seventh season.

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