Slow Horses Season 5, Episode 5 Review: I Was Legitimately Surprised By This Episode’s Twist

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The fifth episode of “Slow Horses,” titled “Circus,” lives up to its name, continuing to be one of the most captivating, surprising, and funny shows on television. The episode begins just hours after Dennis Gimball, a far-right candidate for mayor (played by Christopher Villiers), was killed in a bizarre way – by a paint can dropped from above. While MI5 doesn’t actually have a manual listing creative ways to eliminate enemies, they likely have a guide on how to disrupt a nation.

As Jackson Lamb reveals to the skeptical Whelan and very worried Taverner, the terrorists they’ve been tracking all season are using tactics directly inspired by an MI5 handbook. This season of Slow Horses had a few confusing moments, but episode 5 resolves them all, setting the stage for a thrilling finale next week.

Lamb & Taverner Are On The Same Page For Once

We Get Some Fascinating Insights Into The Terrorist Cell

Season 5 has offered a surprisingly compelling subplot focusing on the terrorists causing trouble for Slough House. While clearly villains, these characters are well-developed, and the latest episode shows us more about how their operation works. Their leader, Farouk (played by Monty Ben), is determined to finish the job, and harshly threatens anyone who considers quitting, suggesting his motivations might be deeply personal. Sami (Ahmed Elmusrati), who appears most uneasy with the group’s activities, comes from a family with a significant history in terrorism.

Farouk’s father used to be his leader, but Farouk won’t let that stop him from eliminating Sami if he falters. Now that Gimball is dead – a result of Libyan involvement – they’re moving to the sixth phase of their plan: to incapacitate their targets. Lamb figures out what they’re up to after questioning Coe and River, who can only maintain their deception for a short time. Lamb realizes they’re lying, partly because Coe wasn’t wearing his usual disguise. River and Coe continue to work well together.

Lamb shares his discoveries with the Park, where he witnesses Whelan’s lack of skill firsthand. The quick, shared moment between Lamb and Taverner as they watch Whelan is a small but memorable highlight of the show, Slow Horses. It seems the Libyans are now targeting airlines, leading to the frightening possibility of a plane crash in London. Taverner immediately secures the airports, but Whelan is secretly working on a different scheme.

Tara Has Been Playing Everyone From The Start

Roddy Ho Warns Of A Virus Attack That Shuts Down The Park

Roddy Ho, also known as Christopher Chung, remains in jail, but he seems to be thriving on the attention and might not want to leave even if released. Tara, played by Hiba Bennani, is being questioned and emotionally recounts her experience as a Libyan refugee who became involved in social justice causes during her time in college. She unexpectedly found herself targeted by terrorists who threatened her life unless she helped them manipulate Ho.

Whelan realizes he can use Tara to his advantage, and starts to develop feelings for her, which unexpectedly connects back to Dodie Gimball’s blackmail threat regarding his use of escorts. Even more troubling, a short phone call reveals a connection between River and the ailing David Cartwright, who, in a moment of clarity, warns River that the Destabilization Strategy needs two people to act as bait.

Tara has been tasked with infiltrating a terrorist network within MI5. Despite her fear, she agrees to proceed with the dangerous plan, hoping to save hundreds of lives. Meanwhile, at headquarters, Ho is brought in to fix a critical hacking issue that others couldn’t handle, but he cautions them about a potential virus. When that virus disables all the electronics, Ho seems almost pleased with himself, radiating confidence.

The recent security breach happens at the same time as a carefully planned operation by Libyan agents. Tara isn’t who she seemed – her claims of being threatened and blackmailed were false. While in London, she manages to evade surveillance and escape her pursuers. As she transforms her appearance, she sheds the image of a vulnerable young woman. Joining Farouk in a car, it becomes clear she may be the one pulling the strings. This season of Slow Horses has built a complex story, and the episode “Circus” now points to a single, inevitable conclusion.

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2025-10-22 09:58