A Welcome Return, Slightly Diminished
The second episode of Slow Horses' sixth season, titled "Daddy Issues," saw the return of a fan-favorite character: Olivia Cooke's Sidonie Baker. While her reappearance, hinted at in the trailer, raised questions about her survival and motives, the pre-release spoiler somewhat lessened the impact of her comeback. Despite this, her return provided a welcome flourish to an episode that was already progressing at a strong pace.
New Threats and Lingering Dangers
As Sidonie re-enters the narrative, another character, Moira (Joanna Scanlan), is confirmed dead, falling victim to the mysterious killer duo, portrayed by Kyle Soller and MyAnna Buring. The killers themselves express uncertainty about their targets, questioning if they have the correct list. Meanwhile, Coe (Tom Brooke) and Shirley (Aimee-Ffion Edwards) are closing in on the perpetrators, investigating the houseboat of their deceased colleague. The antagonists' subtle characterization, such as Buring's fastidiousness with a murder-cover-up and Soller's detached demeanor, adds intrigue to their menace.
Signature Slow Horses Humor and Intrigue
"Daddy Issues" is peppered with the characteristic humor that defines Slow Horses. Moments like Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) berating River, River's mock shooting of Roddy (Christopher Chung), Roddy's commentary on cryptocurrency, and Lamb's teasing of the archivist Molly (Naomi Wirthner) highlight the show's ability to balance serious plot points with comedic beats. This stylistic choice, maintained since the departure of show creator Will Smith after Season 5, remains a core appeal of the series.
Deepening Mysteries and Personal Stakes
The episode further complicates the central mystery with the revelation that River's father, Frank Harkness (Hugo Weaving), may be involved in the events at the Park. He is implicated in commissioning and then eliminating the operative who obtained crucial files, leaving a child witness to the murder. Elsewhere, Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) finds herself in a difficult position as First Chair, dealing with the implications of accepting money from Peter Judd (Samuel West) and facing a potentially challenging interview with a right-leaning news outlet. This marks a rare instance of Diana being caught off guard.
A Race Against Time
"Daddy Issues" successfully juggles multiple plot threads, a testament to the show's narrative dexterity. However, with Season 6 having already passed its second episode, the rapid pace at which these mysteries are unfolding suggests a need for timely resolutions to prevent the complex web of intrigue from becoming convoluted.