The Prestige TV Podcast

'Slow Horses,' Season 5, Episode 2: In Communicado

October 1, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The central mystery of 'Slow Horses,' Season 5, Episode 2: In Communicado involves a shadowy group manipulating various causes to commit violent acts, hiding their own agenda behind front-page news. 
  • The episode highlights the ensemble nature of the current season, with River Cartwright being increasingly relegated to a punchline as other Slough House members like Roddy and Shirley take on more significant plot roles. 
  • The hosts debated the best kitchen implement for self-defense (meat tenderizer vs. microplane zester) and discussed the jarring, yet thematically relevant, inclusion of a mass shooting in the episode's opening, contrasting it with the real-world context of UK gun violence. 

Segments

Kitchen Implement Debate
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Rob Mahoney prefers a meat tenderizer for defense, while Joanna Robinson favors the microplane zester for inflicting shredding injuries.
  • Summary: The hosts engaged in a hypothetical debate about the best kitchen implement to grab for defense in a dangerous situation. Rob suggested a blunt instrument like a meat tenderizer for brute force. Joanna preferred a microplane zester, anticipating the enjoyment of inflicting small, shredding slices on an attacker.
Season 5 Central Mystery Setup
Copied to clipboard!
(00:03:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The ‘Van Guys’ are identified as agents pushing people with causes toward violent acts to obscure their own agenda, potentially involving environmental terrorism.
  • Summary: The early episodes of ‘Slow Horses,’ Season 5, Episode 2: In Communicado are characterized by an influx of information regarding the central mystery. The antagonists appear to be using proxy actors, such as the environmental protesters, to create chaos and distract from their true objectives. The ‘Van Guys’ demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice comrades for the mission.
Reading ‘London Rules’ Insights
Copied to clipboard!
(00:06:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Mick Herron’s novel ‘London Rules’ is described as fantastic and surprisingly funny, featuring dry, crackling observations alongside established Jackson Lamb quips.
  • Summary: Rob Mahoney has started reading the source novel, ‘London Rules,’ which he finds very funny due to the author’s consistent dry wit. The book structure involves bouncing between multiple points of view, similar to the show’s narrative style. The audio version is particularly praised for capturing the humor.
Louisa and Shirley Plot Points
Copied to clipboard!
(00:07:49)
  • Key Takeaway: Shirley’s foot chase was criticized for being too long against an injured opponent, but the needle jabbed into a victim may serve as future identifying evidence.
  • Summary: Louisa remains absent, leading to speculation that River Cartwright might seek her out for emotional support soon. Shirley struggled to outrun a man with a broken back, though her subsequent hand-to-hand combat failure was deemed understandable. The focus on the filthy needle used on the burned body suggests it might be a crucial piece of evidence for identification.
Roddy’s Tacky Apartment Details
Copied to clipboard!
(00:11:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Roddy’s apartment is filled with tacky decor, including tiger print, multiple video game posters, a high-grade ‘Eclipse Warriors’ comic, and a large light-up broadsword.
  • Summary: Roddy’s living space contrasts sharply with the shooter’s, being characterized by strange, tacky design choices rather than overt psychological distress. Specific items noted include a pull-up bar, an open jar of marshmallow fluff next to a mini-fridge of Monster Energy drinks, and a massive light-up anime sword. The pull-up bar supports character observations about Roddy being exceptionally physically fit.
Lamb Defends Roddy’s Flat
Copied to clipboard!
(00:15:32)
  • Key Takeaway: Jackson Lamb showed unexpected investment by showing up to defend Roddy’s apartment, utilizing improvised weapons like bleach and a broadsword against an attacker.
  • Summary: Jackson Lamb intervened when Roddy was threatened, demonstrating that he does care about his agents despite his protests. The defense involved creative improvisation, including squirting bleach and using a broadsword, as standard firearms are not a given for UK intelligence officers. The attacker, who survived being thrown off a ledge, was later killed by his own friend.
Ko and River Team-Up Dynamics
Copied to clipboard!
(00:25:10)
  • Key Takeaway: The pairing of River Cartwright with Ko is effective because Ko, being an outsider, can directly confront River about his repeated poor judgment and mistakes since Season 1.
  • Summary: With Louisa absent, Ko has been paired with River, a duo the hosts did not anticipate but now appreciate. Ko acts as an agent of accountability, listing River’s past failures, such as the Stanstead incident. This dynamic shifts River from being the central hero to being more of a punchline, balancing the ensemble structure.
Peter Judd’s Return and Arms Deal
Copied to clipboard!
(00:31:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Disgraced politician Peter Judd has returned as a consultant, attempting to leverage his connections to cover up the disappearance of automatic weapons and grenades from a UK arms show.
  • Summary: Peter Judd reappeared, now working as a consultant for various entities, including arms manufacturers. He attempted to offer Diana Taverner assistance in managing the fallout from missing weaponry, which he implied was stolen from a UK arms show. Taverner implied she would not need his help if she decided to leave MI5.
Jackson Lamb’s Frog Tie
Copied to clipboard!
(00:33:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Jackson Lamb is newly sporting a tie patterned with whimsical frogs, a departure from his usual heavily soiled dark green tie.
  • Summary: The hosts noted a specific change in Jackson Lamb’s wardrobe during this episode and the previous one. This jaunty frog tie contrasts with his typical attire, suggesting he might have dressed up for Louisa’s party. This detail is considered a new, noteworthy element of his character presentation.
Claude Whelan’s Running Style
Copied to clipboard!
(00:34:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Claude Whelan’s running style is described as a ‘forward-leaning shuffle,’ visually resembling a toddler urgently needing to use the bathroom.
  • Summary: The hosts paused to analyze Claude Whelan’s physical mannerisms while he was dispatched by Diana Taverner. His running was visually distinct and memorable. This segment also touched upon Dottie, a tabloid columnist, who is actively seeking scandalous photos to break news, reflecting a shift in modern journalism.
Lamb’s Champagne and Roddy’s Tattoos
Copied to clipboard!
(00:40:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Jackson Lamb’s best ‘shank’ was directed at Diana Taverner, while a sweet moment occurred when Lamb noted Roddy and his date shared matching ’twin sons of Tatooine’ tattoos.
  • Summary: The hosts selected their favorite ‘Lamb Shank’ (insult) of the episode, with Joanna choosing Taverner’s retort to Peter Judd. A surprisingly tender moment involved Jackson Lamb observing that Roddy and his date had matching Star Wars-themed tattoos. The podcast concluded by announcing future coverage of ‘The Sopranos’ on their sister podcast, ‘Hooked.’