'Underrated masterpiece' perfect for Slow Horses fans streaming now
Slow Horses fans have been left disappointed after the fifth and final series of the Apple TV+ spy drama aired - but there's another spy series they should watch instead
As the fifth series of one of Apple TV's most beloved programmes arrives, some viewers may already be pondering where they'll find their next dose of comedic British espionage drama.
The solution lies in a programme that's been available for some time but has slipped into relative anonymity with age.
Nevertheless, it delivers all the identical unique characteristics as Slow Horses - sardonic wit, clever action sequences and characters you simultaneously adore and despise, with one critic describing it as "one of the finest crafted stories I've watched in my 40+ years on this planet in any medium."
One Slow Horses fans posted on Reddit seeking viewing recommendations, asking: "I wish I could erase my brain and watch this series again for the first time. But I can't, so I turn to you Reddit."
A user responded suggesting "Patriot - because no one mentioned it yet (the focus is on the absurdity/dark comedy, though).", reports the Express.
Another replied: "Such an underrated and unsung heroic tale. Not sure why prime never gave it the hype it deserved."
One more added: "I got that recommendation on this sub and loved Patriot."
Patriot chronicles intelligence operative John Tavner, portrayed by Michael Dorman (The Invisible Man, Daybreakers), who is assigned to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
However, this demands he assumes a precarious, unofficial identity and operates independently. The programme has earned an outstanding 8.2/10 rating on IMDb and attracted glowing reviews from critics.
One viewer hailed the show as a "masterpiece", saying: "This is hands down one of the finest crafted stories I've watched in my 40+ years on this planet in any medium.
"At a glance this may appear to be just another spy thriller. But what lies beneath is a dark comedy wrapped in a drama/mystery/thriller. And the writers treat the audience with a level of respect rarely seen these days. They expect you to pay attention and follow along so they don't just spoon feed you every detail up front.
"But they also don't leave you hanging too far out there either. The narrative has a back and forth ebb and flow around when the main events take place but isn't afraid to jump to the future and past on a whim to give you more depth and background.
"Rarely do you see characters this well crafted, stories this deep and philosophical boundaries questioned with casual deference while juggling political commentary and still managing to toss in some laughs even in the darkest of moments."
The devoted fan praised the casting choices as crucial to the show's success, explaining: "Beyond the story being great there is also a solid cast. I don't think there was a single bad performance in this show. Every actor with even the smallest part was a brilliant casting choice that fit precisely into their role. And the leads shoulder burdens that would make Shakespeare proud.
"Even from a technical standpoint this was a beautifully shot work of art. Despite the obviously minimal budget there are some simple gorgeous shots in a variety of interesting locations. From old world cities to industrial junk yards, to simple forest scenes. This was a director and cinematographer duo that know how to make the visual story just as interesting as the word play in the script.
"If you have a brain you will laugh, you will cry, and you will wonder why TV and movies don't attempt to be this good more often."
Season one of Patriot is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video now.