The synopsis for Slow Horses includes the following language: “MI5 rejects (read: failed spies) must endure dull, paper pushing tasks and their miserable boss, Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who expects them to quit out of boredom and frustration.” Surely it wasn’t by design, but the series seems to want the audience to do the same. The central story is blandly unfocused, which, when coupled with the British dryness of it all, makes it tough for the audience to become invested. I admit Oldman is fairly entertaining as a flatulent old curmudgeon, but he can only take the show so far by himself.