Summary
After stories involving Russian oligarchs and illegal British overseas operations,Slow Horseshas already proved that it’s unafraid to address divisive real-world issues, yet one key character could mean that – in the current climate – season 4 becomes the show’s most controversial yet. Any spy thriller with a political inclination has the potential to upset viewers. However, while most storylines exist in the abstract, recent events mean thatSlow Horsesseason 4will be more resonant – and provocative – than ever.
WhileSlow Horses' primary focus has always been the relationships between its core characters and telling a gripping main story, the show has always had an acute awareness of topical political and social concerns. In season 1, for instance, the show focused on right-wing terrorists involved in an anti-muslim plot – a story which, in light of recent events, only seems more relevant. Specific arcs like this have established the show as a particularly topical thriller. However, ahead ofSlow Horsesseason 4’s September 2024 release, the show may be about to enter a new era of pertinence – largely because of one recurring character.
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Peter Judd Can Potentially Make Slow Horses Season 4 Very Controversial
He’s Been An Important Presence Throughout
As one of themost important recurring characters inSlow Horses, Peter Judd will likely feature once again in season 4. Over the course of the show,Judd has risen from an obscure backbench MP in the British parliament to foreign secretarywith ambitions to become Prime Minister – demonstrating his ruthlessness along the way. Despite resigning in season 3, there’s no sense his story is finished. In many ways, these traits make him no different from other politicians – fictional or otherwise. However, what marks Judd out – and potentially makes the next chapter in his story particularly incendiary – is his connection to far-right radicals.
InSlow Horsesseason 1, Judd was a central player in the plot to kidnap Hassan Ahmed thanks to his ties to Robert Hobden and the Sons of Albion. In later seasons, he has proven himself to be an anti-immigrant populist, stirring racist sentiment to further his own political career. In this way,Judd is not dissimilar from many real-world figures in both Britain and America. This alone could be enough to make the next chapter in his story inflammatory. However, recent events in the UK mean that Judd’s character will be under the spotlight even more than usual – with potentially serious consequences.
The Current UK Political Climate Makes Peter Judd More Relevant Than Ever
Recent Events Give His Story Even More Resonance
Right-wing populism and extremism has been a growing political problem for many years – reflected by how realisticSlow Horsesseason 1’s storyfelt back in 2022. However,events over the summer across the UK have made a character like Peter Judd appear even more dangerous, as well as sadly more realistic. In the aftermath of a tragic triple-child murder in the North-Western town of Southport, disinformation and appropriation resulted in right-wing riots erupting across the country. In many cases, these clashes were fueled by political figures with uncanny similarities to Judd.
In the context of a real-life climate where multiple politicians are being accused of doing exactly this, Judd may have inadvertently become the most culturally significant character in the entire series…
The fact thatSlow Horsesseason 4 will come out so soon after these real-world tragedies makesthe next stage in Judd’s story feel potentially more true to life than ever before. While it’s unclear what role he might play, he has hitherto shown his willingness to exploit hatred and division for his own political gains. In the context of a real-life climate where multiple politicians are being accused of doing exactly this, Judd may have inadvertently become the most culturally significant character in the entire series – even if he does represent the dark side of politics.
Slow Horses Needs To Address Judd And Taverner’s Alliance
It’s An Increasingly Uncomfortable Aspect Of The Show
One detail of Judd’s story that is only becoming more discomfiting as real life makes him increasingly resonant is his relationship with Diana Taverner. As the series has progressed,Judd and Taverner have developed a complicated dynamic, ranging from out-and-out rivalry to an uneasy partnership. Both are incredibly ambitious figures with few scruples if it means achieving their ultimate goals. At theend ofSlow Horsesseason 3, Taverner seemed to get the upper hand as Judd was forced to resign following the Tiger Team debacle.
However, the fact that Taverner has shown herself so willing to work with someone so toxic while working at the summit of British Intelligence speaks to something rotten at the core of her character. In many ways, Taverner has never been forced to reckon with some of her most amoral actions – including elevating someone as dangerous as Judd if it meant helping her. With recent events highlighting how dangerous rhetoric of the sort propagated by Judd can be,Slow Horsesshould seriously consider stating definitively that Taverner made a terrible mistake by working with him.
