What happens at the end of the Slow Horses season 3 finale?

Season 3 of Slow Horses concluded in December 2023, and Season 4 is scheduled to premiere this year. Although there is no specific release date for Season 4, it is a good idea to check out the Slow Horses Season 3 finale before the next installment.

In Season 3, it is revealed that the Tigers have kidnapped Katherine Standish. They are hired by a private company, Chieftain, to uncover vulnerabilities in MI5’s security system. Home Secretary Peter Judd approved and ordered this mission.

However, Diana was aware of Judd’s intentions and also knew that Donovan wanted revenge for the murder of his lover, Allison Dunne. She used it to her advantage. She planned for Shawn to get the files and leak them to bring down Ingrid.

At the end of Episode 5, we see River and Louisa locked in the parking lot with Sean Donovan and Allison’s brother Ben. Ben dies in the end, but what about the others?

Below is a full breakdown of the Slow Horses Season 3 finale for your convenience.

1. What happens to River and Louisa at the end of Season 3?

River and Louisa manage to escape the facility with the help of Shirley and Mox. They are trying to fight the elements and keep themselves busy. River and Louisa take the opportunity to exit the facility via an exit point.

They meet Shirley outside the checkout, who helps them get out on time and avoid trouble. We’ll learn more about what happens to them after they escape in season four.

River and Louisa also take the secret files with them, which they later use to expose Ingrid.

2. What happens to Sean Donovan and the files?

Sean Donovan was unable to escape the facility. MI5 agents kill Donovan at the end of Season 3 of Slow Horses.

However, Sean’s work does a lot of good for those who survive. River is able to take the files to his grandfather. David. David asks River to destroy the files to protect the reputation and name of the security services.

The river throws them with fire, according to what his grandfather said. However, he keeps copies of them in his car. Later, River releases documents to punish Ingrid for causing Alison Dunne’s murder. So, Shawn’s last wish to avenge Alison’s death has been fulfilled.

3. Who saves Catherine?

Jackson and Rudy rescue Katherine from the safe house where she was being held hostage. They also prevented MI5 from raiding the house. However, Catherine ends up resigning from Slough House after an argument with Jackson.

However, things get complicated when they stop at a gas station on their way. Katherine and Jackson argue that the latter is “distant” from her, while Charles’ partner can always see his true self.

The two get into an argument, and Jackson ends up revealing the truth about Charles, the former Director General of MI5. Jackson says Charles was a traitor and revealed secrets to the Russians for 10 years.

He reveals that Charles kept Catherine as his assistant because she was drunk most of the time and was not sober enough to know what he was doing. He also wanted to charge Catherine with his crimes.

However, Jackson did not tell Katherine that he killed Charles on David Cartwright’s orders, as seen at the end of Season 1.

Jackson also accused Katherine of knowing this all along but not having the courage to admit it. At this agitated moment, Catherine immediately left Slough House and returned from the gas station.

4. Diana becomes the new general manager

At the end of Season 3 of Slow Horses, Diana Taviner’s plan succeeds, and she becomes the new Director General of MI5.

Diana’s plan was to expose Ingrid Tierney. He works while River and Louisa escape with the files and uncover the documents, leading to Ingrid’s downfall. Ingrid is forced to leave his job, and Diana becomes the new general manager.

Lamb also brings Shirley and Marcus back to their jobs. Catherine does not join them and she resigns.

5. About slow horses

Slow Horses is a spy thriller television series based on the Slough House novel series by Mick Herron. The series premiered on Apple TV+ on April 1, 2022.

Slough House is an administrative purgatory for MI5 refuseniks who were not directly dismissed, and those sent there are known as “Slow Horses”. They are expected to endure boring tasks and occasional mental abuse from their miserable boss, Jackson Lamb, who expects them to quit out of boredom or frustration. However, the Slow Horses group is somehow involved in investigating schemes that endanger Britain.

The series has aired 3 seasons so far and has been renewed for a fifth season.