[Filling the Space is a flexible column where our writers could vent, deconstruct, and work their way around the emotions brought on by TV, films, books, music, and key moments in pop culture. This isn’t meant to be analytical, but instead, a means of bringing our voice into a space on the internet where there’s often too much going on—a way to step into the sphere.]
I can already hear the naysayers complaining about how “every property doesn’t need a romance.” Except you know what? It’s been four seasons of Slow Horses, and River Cartwright absolutely needs someone to take care of him and have his back because watching him suffer is exhausting. And really sad, okay? The world is bad as is. I don’t need to watch my favorite characters suffer as well.
I cannot, under any circumstances, have another Endeavour on my hands where every character moves on to some sort of a happy (or at least stable) place, and the main character is left broken and alone. Additionally, given everything we get with Season 4 and the reveal of his father’s identity, it’s even more vital now that we actually give the guy a break because even though he’s a human disaster (affectionately said), he can continue doing that while also maybe going on a date or two.
Slow Horses isn’t a show that takes itself as seriously as dramas like it in the same genre do. In fact, it’s surprising that it’s taken this long even to give River something. Making the jokes about it with Louisa and the initial banter with Sid back in Season 1 are one thing, but it’s high time we follow up with something that sticks.
And the thing is, fine. It doesn’t even have to be a romance, but God, can we get the guy some friends? Can we let him spend a night doing something other than getting beat up and battered until the next gig? There’s something to be said about how specific characters always go through the same pattern of one traumatic thing after another without there ever being a glimmer of joy, and while it certainly accomplishes something for storytelling, it’s also just painful to watch as viewers. We need to change things up just a smidge, and here’s my plea to have it involve a relationship.
As a character who’s always taking care of others (like his grandfather), he deserves to have someone take care of him. He deserves someone in his corner who’ll know exactly what he needs and when he needs it because he’s the type of person to be so keenly aware of what others need. Characters like River often go the extra mile for those they love, and it’d be utterly glorious (and exciting!) to watch it on screen while someone simultaneously meets him halfway.
Related Content: Jack Lowden Is the Perfect Choice for Mr. Darcy
In the year of our Lord 2025 where so many things are uncertain, it shouldn’t be too much to ask that our favorite characters catch a break. Look, maybe we can even get Saoirse Ronan involved and have her play the love interest, making everything that much more perfect in the process. It’d be an unstoppable, perfect portrayal, and now I fear I need it even more than I did five minutes ago.
Slow Horses is now streaming on Apple TV+.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Apple TV+