Binge watching on recommendation of Archie Valparaiso (14). It’s terrific. Which is a surprise as his recent recommendations have been for Adele and Batman. Of course, if you don’t “have” Apple TV, and you do “have” morals, it’ll mean breaking the law and possibly incurring a prison sentence or hefty fine if you watch it at home. So let me tell you what your high moral stance is costing you: the finest televisual binge since Engrenages. Everything is perfect, as far as I can tell. London is grimy and gothic. The streets are slippery with red herrings and every door bangs open onto a cliff-hanger. Gary Oldman farts himself awake and doesn’t mind re-opening his dinner in front of Kristin Scott Thomas, who makes Helen MIrren look like a crack whore. Some LOL-out loud lines, some exciting violence, and an overall impression of it having been made by grown-ups for grown-ups. I’m four episodes in, out of six (I think), and I’m already gagging for another series based on the works of the author whose name I have forgot (like Gary Oldman’s fart). But I’m not going to read them in case they make another TV series. Who needs books when you have entertainment like this?
Slow Horses
by 51 Comments
Binge watched last weekend. Loved it. Big fan of the books…Mick Herron paints a wonderful picture of squalid spy work…series 2 has already been filmed and should be shown later this year..
Who needs books? I do. The author is Mick Herron, the books are fantastic and there are a fair few fans on here.
I don’t have Apple TV alas.
You can do a free trial and watch the lot. Just remember to cancel.
Or you can man up and stroll down the Eel Market.
Can I let everyone into my really big shameful secret?
I don’t understand the reference to an Eel Market, what it is if it’s not an actual Eel Market. And what does one to to buy Eels , if they are actually for sale?
Yours affectionately.
It’s a reference to the unpardonable, completely illegal and punishable-by-death practice of file-sharing and torrenting of copyrighted material m’lud.
And buying and seeling eels.
Thank you for your prompt and helpful response.
I’m always quick, but rarely helpful.
“Seeling”? I imagine a large pool full of eels surrounded by walruses basking in the sun.
Singed, seeled, de-livered, I’m yours.
Very good, Moose.
Sung by Seal?
Yeah – and it’s a big club hit.
Funny that you of all people reacted…
What kept you?
Waiting for Archie to tell me what to watch.
I have a few ideas.
hurrrrr
No, Moosey, you have one idea.
Books and series are fantastic. Books first but the series was hugely watchable even after reading it.
A new title,Bad Actors, has just been published.
Binge watched over two nights.
Terrific viewing and Gary Oldman is magnificent as always.
Looking forward to series 2.
Highly recommended.
Absolutely 1st class TV, almost perfect in fact.
I’m a big fan of the books & it’s so nice that the casting especially hasn’t jarred with mental images I’ve had for a while. The whole thing has been realised superbly & I think it’s the most enjoyable show I’ve watched in ages. I believe in one of the books there’s a reference to Jackson Lamb resembling a ‘Timothy Spall gone badly to seed’ & think this is definitely one of Oldman’s best roles yet. I’m prone to swooning over KST, so have trouble being objective- but I believe she makes a great nemesis & as ever oozes class.
I couldn’t remember the specifics of the story because I primarily relished the world created by Herron (& the delightful monster that is Lamb) so the tale was fresh as a daisy.
Can’t recommend it enough, so if you can check it out, do so.
News of the TV series prompted me after many years of “really should do this” to start reading all the books . I’m halfway through and loving it. Obviously this experience is much better than watching the TV series. Obviously…
I’ve searched, but I can’t find any platform hosting a show called Adele and Batman. Is this only available in the southern hemisphere?
Sounds a rather unlikely partnership – the whisperer and the foghorn.
In a private email, Archie denies everything.
Is this entertainment broadcast on some foreign televisual channel? One cannot find it listed in the Radio Times. I wish to instruct my man to obtain a copy to watch on the large Baird machine in the green drawing room. One assumes it is available as a video cassette?
Saddle the horses! We ride for Blockbusters!
By Jingo! The butler tells me he has come up with something known as a ‘torrent’ that allows one to enjoy this material, somehow or other. Does this involve sitting in the bath? Not very comfortable, I’d have thought. Nowhere to balance a tulip of port and brandy either. Poor nanny will have to regularly lug warm water up from the skullery, I fear. One may wrinkle.
There’s a little man in the village who can supply a poultice. Something involving mud and eggs. Mama swears by it. Well, she swears, anyway. The bishop was quite perplexed.
I’m certainly going to watch this, as I value HP’s opinion more than anything else I can think of that’s not made by McVities and also because I see Jack Lowden is the star. Jack who? Jack Lowden. He was the star of Calibre, which is one of my favourite films of recent years, plus he plays Siegfried Sassoon in Terence Davies’ new film, and I worship Terence Davies. I know nothing about Siegfried Sassoon though, except that he was a war poet, not connected with either Siegfried & Roy or celebrity hairdresser Vidal Sassoon, much less Gore Vidal. A mate of mine met Gore Vidal. Went to his house on the Amalfi coast, said nothing sexual occurred.
Just asking, was your “mate” called Enrico? If it was he told me the same story
Of course not. I don’t fraternize with staff.
I broke into Gore Vidal’s house in Hollywood once. Broad daylight. Well, I was with somebody who did – an Old Etonian “movie producer” who wanted to retrieve a script sent to Nic Cage (who was renting the house). He got in through an open window round the back and opened the door for me, so I didn’t think I was actually Bn’E-ing. While my O.E. rummaged around in the papers in the living room I took in the decoration and furnishings. Dark colours, very rich and sumptuous, and reflected on the business thay called movie at that time without reaching any conclusions.
Fans will be pleased to know that a second book/season has already filmed. And they expect to do 2 more of the books soon.
Also, I’m amazed nones mentioned Mick Jaggers ‘interesting’ theme tune.
Yes, enjoyed Slow Horses. I have so many series on my ‘to watch’ list at the moment I think I need to live into my 100s. But if you enjoyed Spiral you should watch Le Bureau des Légendes, as it’s possibly even better.
Merci, Paul. Je suis actuellement en train de télécharger du marché des anguilles.
There are about 6 series now. It keeps getting better and better.
Available in Oz on SBS for those of a less eelcurious persuasion.
I watched this and agree with all the praise. Oldman is fantastic – hilarious, repulsive and brilliant all mixed together. My only criticism would regard the chap who is kidnapped. His kidnappers call him “kid”, but he looks older than them. They should have cast someone younger/younger looking.
Any suggestions?
Alberto Cartuccia Cingolani
Maybe that insufferable little boy who played some classicals on the piano? That would shut him up.
Thailand reports chronic anguilloglut reaches new state of crisis. Maritime ecosystems collapse. Regime blames ‘capitalist running dog foreigners’.
Just watched the first 3 episodes. Killing Eve it ain’t.
Terrific stuff. Oldman repugnantly charismatic.
It’s the only time I’ve smelled an on-screen fart. Such is his artistry!
In other nyoz, I’ve just watched him in State Of Grace (1990) – on Archie’s recommendation – and cannot believe it’s the same Gary Oldman. I reckon there’s a team of them, and that “Gary Oldman” is a PLC.
Just smelt it? I felt the full clammy aftermath………
I have that all the time.
I find Oldman as an actor a bit “try hard” but he was excellent in this, my first venture into watching a movie file offa the internet on me new TV.
He was excellent in something else too… Can’t remember what it was…
Confessions Of A Window Cleaner. Fun fact: his first (and uncredited) screen appearance as Rosie Nogett’s little brother. There’s a clip on YewChewb somewhere.
Watched episode 6 last night. Loved it. Can’t wait for Dead Lions later this year.
Yes, the joy as that episode ended was magnified by the promise of more. Bloody brilliant show.
If you’ve been hesitating to give the books a go, “Slow Horses”, the first book in the Slough House series, is currently available (for a limited time) in the UK Kindle Store for 99p.