Slow Horses: Season 5, Episode 5 - Circus (2025)

The episode opens shortly after the assassination of far-right mayoral candidate Dennis Gimball, who was killed by a paint can dropped from a height. The terrorists, frustrated by their failure to kill Jaffrey, learn of Gimball's death and see it as an opportunity to further destabilize the situation. This sets the tone for the escalating threat against London and MI5.

At MI5's Regent's Park headquarters, Lamb brings his findings about the terrorist plot and witnesses firsthand the incompetence of Claude Whelan, a senior MI5 official. Lamb and Taverner share a brief moment of camaraderie as they observe Whelan's flawed handling of the crisis. From their deductions, it appears the terrorists, identified as Libyans, are targeting the airlines next, raising the horrifying prospect of a plane crash in London. Taverner responds by locking down the airports, but Whelan pursues his own agenda, undermining the efforts to contain the threat.

Meanwhile, Tara Younis, who has been under interrogation and surveillance, is revealed to be playing a deeper game than anyone suspected. Contrary to her earlier portrayal as a victim of blackmail and skinning, Tara discards her tracker and evades the Dogs (MI5's surveillance team). She changes her appearance by pulling up her hair, shedding the frightened persona she had adopted. When she enters a car with Farouk, it becomes clear she is not a pawn but a mastermind behind the operation, orchestrating the terrorist plot from within.

Back at the Park, Flyte interrogates Tara, who continues to feign innocence, but cracks begin to show. Flyte's investigation is complicated by Whelan's interference, as he tries to steer the interrogation away from the real terror plan and attempts to use Tara to locate her accomplices. This plan is flawed from the start, as Flyte's agents are positioned on a train behind Tara's supposed meeting point, making her vulnerable once out of sight. Tara's failure to raise concerns about this setup raises multiple red flags.

River and Coe, two MI5 agents, have a tense interaction marked by bickering and a dressing down from Lamb. River's judgment is impaired, and he misses critical cues, including a call from his grandfather, the OB, who is investigating Roddy Ho's memorabilia connected to Tara. Despite these distractions, the slow horses continue to piece together clues about the Libyan terrorists' next moves.

Lamb decides to use Tara as bait in a sting operation, despite knowing she is a proven Libyan nationalist with a grudge. He pulls her out of the cell and comforts her, setting the stage for a high-stakes trap. This decision is driven by Lamb's belief that exposing the terrorists' plan is crucial, even if it means relying on a dangerous and untrustworthy asset.

The episode closes with the realization that the terrorists' ultimate plan is unfolding rapidly, and the stakes are higher than ever. The Park's technology is compromised, forcing the team to rely on analogue skills. The slow horses, including Molly and the OB, prepare to play their part in the impending confrontation. The episode ends on a tense note, with the terrorist plot against London and MI5 coming into sharp focus and only one path left to prevent further bloodshed.

The ending of Slow Horses Season 5, Episode 5, "Circus," reveals a devastating twist: Tara Younis, who was believed to be a victim, is actually the mastermind behind a crippling attack on MI5. As she removes her tracker and vanishes at Piccadilly Circus station, a code she provided activates, causing the entire MI5 intelligence network to go dark, leaving the country vulnerable. Meanwhile, at Slough House, the Slow Horses uncover Tara's deep involvement in the attack, and Lamb realizes the crisis is far from over, setting the stage for a tense finale.

The episode "Circus" unfolds with mounting tension and a series of critical revelations. It begins shortly after the assassination of Dennis Gimball, a far-right mayoral candidate, killed by a paint can dropped from a height--a brutal but old-fashioned method that signals a larger destabilization plan underway. The antagonists, revealed to be Libyan operatives, discuss their partial success and plot further chaos.

At MI5's interrogation center, Tara Younis is questioned by Flyte and others. She plays the part of an innocent, frightened young woman caught in a web of blackmail and skinning (a form of coercion). However, cracks appear in her story, and the Slow Horses--Shirley, Standish, and Roddy--begin to piece together clues from his personal stash that link Tara to every stage of the attack. This discovery shifts the perception of Tara from victim to infiltrator.

Meanwhile, River Cartwright and Coe provide moments of levity with their bickering and antics, but River's internal struggle is palpable. He is haunted by past failures and his inability to fully grasp the unfolding crisis. His attempt to lie to Lamb about Gimball's death fails spectacularly, highlighting his desperation and flawed judgment.

Lamb, the leader of the Slow Horses, visits the Park (MI5 headquarters) and observes the incompetence of Claude Whelan, a senior MI5 figure whose overconfidence and mismanagement exacerbate the crisis. Lamb and Diana Taverner share a brief moment of professional respect, but the situation is dire. The Libyan plot appears to be targeting critical infrastructure next, with airlines suspected as the next target, raising the horrifying possibility of a plane crash in London.

The climax occurs at Piccadilly Circus station. Tara, trembling but resolute, agrees to cooperate and heads to the station. In a blind spot between the stairs and platform, she removes her jacket and tracker, shedding her frightened persona. At that moment, the code she had given MI5 activates, and the entire intelligence network goes dark. This "blind your enemy" tactic, a Cold War-era strategy warned about by David Cartwright (River's grandfather), is executed perfectly. Tara was never a victim; she was the second sting in a deadly plan to destabilize MI5 and the country.

Back at Slough House, the Slow Horses absorb the gravity of the situation. They realize that the attack is only the beginning and that MI5 is on the verge of being destroyed from within. Lamb is determined to uncover which disillusioned leader is truly orchestrating the chaos.

The episode ends on a razor's edge: MI5 is crippled, Tara has vanished, and the country is in peril. The Slow Horses face the daunting question of whether they can save the day once more as the season moves toward its finale.

Fates of main characters at the end of the episode:

• Tara Younis: Revealed as the mastermind infiltrator, she disappears after activating the code that blinds MI5.
• Lamb: Fully aware of the internal threat and the scale of the crisis, he prepares to confront the coming storm.
• River Cartwright: Struggling with his failures and the chaos around him, he remains a flawed but determined agent.
• Shirley, Standish, Roddy: They uncover critical evidence linking Tara to the attack, reinforcing their role as key players in the unfolding crisis.
• Claude Whelan: His incompetence and overconfidence contribute to MI5's vulnerability, setting him up as a problematic figure within the agency.

The episode's ending is a masterful setup for the finale, emphasizing themes of deception, betrayal, and the fragility of intelligence institutions under internal and external threats.

There is no post-credit scene in Slow Horses Season 5, Episode 5, titled "Circus." The episode ends with the revelation that Tara Younis has successfully deceived MI5, escaped their surveillance, and rejoined the terrorist cell, while the Park's systems are shut down by the code. The final moments focus on Whelan realizing the depth of the betrayal and the phrase "Blind your enemy" being spoken, marking the culmination of the episode's twist. No additional scenes or footage play after the credits roll.

In 'Circus', Tara Younis is revealed to be a double agent rather than a coerced victim as initially believed. She deceives MI5 by pretending to cooperate, but ultimately removes her tracker and joins the terrorist cell, playing a key role in activating a plan that blinds the entire intelligence network. This twist exposes a major miscalculation by MI5 and escalates the threat against the UK, showing Tara as a mastermind behind the destabilization operation rather than a mere pawn.

Claude Whelan's arrogance and incompetence significantly worsen the crisis in 'Circus'. He celebrates a rival's death and insists on taking control despite being unfit to lead, which deepens the disaster. His fatal flaw is underestimating the enemy and mishandling the situation, including misjudging Tara Younis's role and ignoring warnings from others. His poor decisions contribute to the destabilization plan advancing and MI5's intelligence network going dark.

River Cartwright is shown struggling with inner turmoil and failure in 'Circus'. He attempts to lie to Lamb about critical events but is quickly seen through, highlighting his impaired judgment and emotional state. Despite his flaws, River remains impulsive and brilliant, grappling with the decline of his grandfather David. His interactions, including a spiky scene with Coe and his inability to read situations properly, add depth to his character and provide moments of levity amid the chaos.

The 'Blind Your Enemy' strategy in 'Circus' refers to the terrorists' plan to disable MI5's intelligence capabilities. Tara Younis activates a code that causes the entire intelligence network to go dark, effectively blinding MI5. This tactic is a critical part of the Libyan terrorist cell's destabilization plan, exploiting MI5's own methods against them. The execution of this plan marks a turning point in the season's plot, leaving MI5 vulnerable and setting up the final confrontation.

In 'Circus', the Slow Horses team--Shirley, Standish, and Roddy--investigate Roddy's personal belongings and uncover various clues linking Tara Younis to the terrorist attacks. Their discovery includes personal items and evidence that connect Tara to every stage of the operation. While River and Coe provide some comic relief, the team's findings are crucial in understanding the scope of the threat and Tara's true involvement, despite the chaos unfolding around them.

Slow Horses Season 5 Episode 5 "Circus" is not family friendly. The episode carries a TV-MA rating and contains content unsuitable for children and sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable content includes:

• Severe profanity throughout the episode
• Moderate violence and gore, consistent with the series' established level of graphic content
• A death scene involving a paint can used as a weapon, depicted with visual impact
• Intense interrogation scenes with psychological pressure
• Themes involving terrorism, blackmail, and espionage operations
• Tense, high-stakes scenarios involving national security threats

The episode maintains Slow Horses' characteristic blend of dark drama and thriller elements, with violence that is often realistic and bloody rather than stylized. The profanity level is particularly pronounced, with severe language used regularly throughout. The psychological tension and morally complex situations depicted would likely be disturbing for younger viewers or those sensitive to intense dramatic content.

This episode is intended for mature audiences only and should not be watched by children without parental discretion.