Slow Horses Season 6 Ends With River's Poisoning and Flyte's Death

Key points

• River Cartwright collapses in the finale after being exposed to a nerve agent, likely Novichok, which was planted on a crowbar in Episode 2.
• Emma Flyte is killed by Frank Harkness on the beach, a death Chiappe noted was faithful to the source material's spirit but altered in method.
• Frank Harkness survives the finale, leaving his fate uncertain, while River spares him after a final confrontation.
• The season merged two Mick Herron novels, leading to the deaths of Coe and Flyte, and the introduction of new character Reese.
• Jack Lowden's potential role as the next James Bond is linked to the ambiguity of River's survival, though Lowden is confirmed for Season 7.

Background

Slow Horses has been a staple of Apple TV's lineup, adapting Mick Herron's Joe Country novels. Previous coverage noted that Season 7 will adapt 'Bad Actors' and cast new stars, including Varada Sethu and Tuppence Middleton. The series is known for its blend of tragedy and farce, a tone Chiappe emphasized in the finale's emotional beats.

How outlets are covering it

Gold Derby and Vulture focus on the mechanics of River's poisoning and the implications for the James Bond casting rumors, noting that Lowden's wife Saoirse Ronan deflected the Bond speculation. The Hollywood Reporter highlights Ruth Bradley's perspective, emphasizing her preparation for Flyte's death and the 'mother-daughter' dynamic with Diana Taverner. While Gold Derby notes the deaths were dictated by the books, Bradley stresses the emotional weight of Flyte's fall from grace. Vulture questions whether River will actually die, contrasting the show's history of protecting main characters with the current cliffhanger.

Why it matters

The finale's cliffhanger regarding River's survival creates significant uncertainty for the upcoming seasons, potentially impacting Jack Lowden's availability for other major roles like James Bond. The deaths of key characters like Flyte and Coe mark a shift in the show's tone, moving toward a more action-heavy and brutal narrative structure.

What to watch

Season 7 will adapt the novel 'Bad Actors,' focusing on a mole within the British government. Viewers will need to wait to see if River survives the poisoning, as the books indicate he recovers but is largely absent in the subsequent novel. The show is renewed for two more seasons, with filming for Season 7 already underway.