Slow Horses Subtly Honors Heath Ledger in New Season
The writers of the Apple TV series Slow Horses have embedded a subtle tribute to Heath Ledger in the show's fifth season. This reference became evident in episode five, blending the world of the series with one of Ledger's iconic roles.
Gary Oldman's Role Links the Tribute
Gary Oldman stars as Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses and famously portrayed Lt. Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 film The Dark Knight. The episode features a scene where Oldman’s character, frustrated with a colleague, exclaims:
“When you talk, I wanna stick a pencil in my eye and headbutt the table!”
Fans believe this line nods to a chilling moment in The Dark Knight, where Ledger’s Joker confronts criminals by saying, “How about a magic trick?” before forcefully pushing a pencil into a table. He then adds, “I’m going to make the pencil disappear,” and proceeds to slam his head through the pencil, stating, “It’s gone.”
Remembering Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger tragically passed away at 28, before the release of The Dark Knight in 2008. His unforgettable portrayal earned him a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, cementing his legacy in cinema.
“I’m going to make the pencil disappear.” – Heath Ledger’s Joker
Author's summary: The fifth season of Slow Horses includes a subtle homage to Heath Ledger, cleverly linking Gary Oldman’s roles and recalling one of Ledger’s most memorable scenes as the Joker.