One of the favourite things about time off work is the extra hours it allows for television binges. I spent most of the Christmas holidays travelling (maybe that’s another post), but I still managed to find time for two series: Treason (Netflix) and Slow Horses (Apple TV).
Both of my Christmas binges are bedfellows in the espionage/spy genre which is always a favourite of mine. Treason, with just five episodes, was well-paced and there were enough twists in the storyline to keep you interested. Apparently the lead actor, Charlie Cox, has been linked with the vacant James Bond role; which I personally cannot see. Instead I prefer Ciaran Hinds as the standout performance as the morally complex head of MI6. Like many of these shows, the plot is far-fetched and in some ways it tries to do too much in too little time. It was just plausible enough to keep the interest and pass the time. I wouldn’t recommend you put it at the top of your to-watch list, but if you’re at a loose end, it’s good enough.
While Treason was more stocking filler, Slow Horses was killer. Everything about the series oozes quality – great storyline, the Mick Jagger theme tune and an excellent cast led by Gary Oldman. This was the second season but there was no dip from the first. While season one, released earlier in 2022, saw the cast-out spies on the hunt for a right-wing kidnapping plot, this series doubles down on the political intrigue and sees Russian spies scheming on the streets of Britain. One of the best elements of Slow Horses for me is the humour laced throughout the series and, even more than the first series, I found myself laughing out loud at some of the one-liners from Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb. I’m tempted to go out and read Mick Herron’s books but that might ruin my enjoyment of future series. I heartily recommend Slow Horses and do bump it up your watch list.
I’m not starting on the newly released series of Jack Ryan (Amazon) and The English (also Amazon). Again, maybe that’s another future post.
Commonplace 