Screen Queen TV reviews: Slow Horses, The Secret Lives Of Morman Wives, Outlast, and The Perfect Couple
Slow HorsesWednesday, streaming on Apple TV Plus
I’ve always had a thing for spies. Over the years I’ve devoured anything espionage-related, thumbing my way through Jeffrey Archer novels, and diving head-first into shows like Homeland and The Night Manager.
At one point, I even became convinced an old uni mate was a spy — he lived in Canberra and worked for “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade”. I’d read enough to know what that really meant — thrilling!
Those high-octane TV shows and well-thumbed page-turners did nothing to dissuade me from the idea the world of spying was impossibly glamorous — it wasn’t until I began watching Apple TV’s very excellent Slow Horses (now in its fourth season) that I began to realise I’d been widely off the mark.
This show revolves around the exploits of Cold War-era spy Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), a rumpled old spook who’s been put out to pasture and relegated to a depressing MI5 outpost called Slough House to oversee a bunch of other agency ne’er-do-wells.
These are misfits and boozers who have upset their superiors, and been shunted off to languish under Lamb’s not-so-watchful eye — and four seasons in, I’m just as obsessed, despite the fact this is most definitely NOT the show I thought I was signing up for.
Yes, there are explosions and bomb threats and all sorts of high-level nefarious government activities, but it’s the interpersonal dynamics as everyone sits around waiting for something to happen that have me hooked. It’s more about the office banter, the arguments, and the lengths everyone goes to annoy their superior, played by Kristin Scott Thomas, that delight.
I get the feeling this is probably a much more realistic depiction of what actually goes on in these agencies than anything else I’ve seen or read — perhaps that’s the real reason my friend never fessed up.
Too dull?
I guess I’ll never know.
The Secret Lives of Mormon WivesFriday, streaming on Disney Plus
“There’s a whole story that we literally haven’t told anyone,” says one of the participants in the trailer for this delicious new reality series, all about a group of eight Mormon TikTok influencer mums. They founded the popular #Momtok phenomenon — then promptly became embroiled in a wife-swapping sex scandal, and excuse me while I grab a biscuit for the TEA that’s about to be spilt.
This online scandal reached fever pitch and saw many chronically online people (me!) going down all sorts of crazy rabbit holes (also me!) trying to get to the bottom of what really went down.
Cannot WAIT for confirmation of my theories.
Camera IconThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast, coming to Disney Plus. Credit: Fred Hayes/DisneyOutlastWednesday, streaming on Netflix
Camera IconOutlast is returning to Netflix for season two. Credit: Supplied/Netflix
This survival show has only one rule: to win a share of the $1 million prize pot, you have to finish as part of a team. It’s a great twist, and truly brings out the absolute worst in some of the lone-wolf “bros” competing. Which is why I love it. Can’t wait for this second season.
The Perfect CoupleThursday, streaming on NetflixCamera IconLiev Shrieiber and Nicole Kidman star in The Perfect Couple, coming to Netflix. Credit: Supplied/Netflix
Nicole Kidman stars as obscenely rich novelist Greer Garrison Winbury, who is planning a society wedding when a body washes up on the beach. Way to ruin her plans! This is getting so much hype — looks sensational.
Fight Night: The Million Dollar HeistFriday, streaming on BingeCamera IconFight Night: The Million Dollar Heist is coming to Binge. Credit: Peacock/Parrish Lewis
Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard — the cast of this limited series based on a popular true crime podcast is absolutely stacked. This looks like a total vibe.
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