Okay so yesterday I got totally hooked rewatching season 1 of Slow Horses, especially anything with Jack Lowden playing River Cartwright. That guy bleeds frustration and it’s addictive. Got me thinking – what are his absolute best moments? Decided I had to figure out my top 3. Don’t judge me for wasting a perfectly good Thursday night on this.
Step One: The Rewatch Marathon (aka Chaos)
First things first, needed to revisit everything Kelly. Fired up the streamer (you know the one), grabbed some cold brew, and just dove in. Didn’t take notes initially, just let myself get sucked back into the grimy Slough House vibe. Man, it still hits hard.
About halfway through my second bottle of cold brew, I realized I needed a better plan. Wasn’t just gonna magically remember all the best bits, right? Pulled out my battered old laptop (screen’s got a weird flicker now) and opened a blank document. Started scribbling timestamps and quick notes whenever a Kelly scene made me sit up. “Whoa, forgot he did that,” or “Damn, that look speaks volumes.” That kinda thing.
Step Two: The Real Messy Part – Sorting Through the Gems
Okay, so I probably went overboard. Ended up with like 15 moments I thought were contenders. Needed to cull. How do you even compare them? Some are pure tension, some darkly funny, some just showcase Lowden killing it silently.
Started grouping them rough-like: Intense Kelly vs. Smartass Kelly vs. Quietly Suffering Kelly. Then the real headache began. Played clips side-by-side. Debated with myself. (“Is that bridge scene actually better than this interrogation?”). Seriously, almost lost my damn mind.
Had to set some rules. No cheating! Could only be scenes truly driven by his character. Moments that define who he is at Slough House or how he deals with that crap hole. And crucially, moments that stuck with me long after the episode ended.
Step Three: Finally Landing My Top 3
After way too much waffling (and maybe another drink), I locked it down. Here’s the breakdown:
- That Kitchen Sink Scene (S1, ya know the one): Hands down number one. The pure, unfiltered panic when everything goes absolutely sideways? Lowden makes you feel every second of that building dread. It’s terrifyingly real and perfectly messy. That’s quintessential Kelly.
- The “Just A Bag Man” Chat: Sitting in that grimy cafe, trying to explain himself. The mix of resignation and simmering anger, the way he uses that little phrase… it captures the whole essence of being stuck at Slough House and the constant disrespect. Ouch.
- Locked in the Back with the Bad Guy: Tense as hell. Watching him use his wits when he’s literally trapped, the fear barely contained but the brain still working overtime. Pure survival instinct. Classic underdog Kelly.
Honestly, cutting others hurt. That bridge confrontation? Almost made it. But the sheer visceral impact of those three pushed them over the top. And yeah, I know fans will argue – that’s half the fun!
So, Was It Worth It?
Hell yeah. Rewatching just focused on one character gives you a whole new layer. You see the arcs clearer, the actor’s choices shine brighter. And honestly? It was more fun than scrolling through nonsense online. Got me appreciating Jack Lowden even more. The man can act. Now excuse me while I go contemplate rewatching S2 just for kicks. Damn you, Slow Horses.