Down Cemetery Road and Slow Horses
A Possibly Unnecessary Comparison
I binged Down Cemetery Road -- all eight episodes -- on Apple TV last week. It's being billed (on Screen Rant) as "the perfect replacement" for Slow Horses, now in between its fifth and six seasons, also on Apple TV. Both are adaptations of Mike Herron's novels, and both sport a spiffy amalgam of snappy dialogue and spy-on-spy lethal mischief. But Down Cemetery Road doesn't have a theme-song co-written and performed by Mick Jagger (the best theme for a spy series since "Secret Agent Man"), a lead character who flaunts his flatulence in every episode, and quite the speed of narrative of Slow Horses.
Here's what Down Cemetery Road does have:
- Two brilliant and famous lead stars (Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson) in contrast to one (Gary Oldman in Slow Horses). And I thought Wilson's Sarah Trafford was really exceptional.
- A really world-class villain, Amos Crane (played by Fehinti Balogun), who could have worked in any Bond movie.
- Speaking of Bond, Down Cemetery Road has a train scene nearly as edge of your seat as the scene in From Russia with Love.
- Down Cemetery Road has, I don't know, call it more of a soul, than most spy stories, including Slow Horses. I don't recall many tears in my eyes watching Slow Horses, unless they came from laughter, which of course is fine in its own right.
- Down Cemetery Road may have slightly hipper dialogue, with a pretty funny extended disquisition over the term "mansplaining".
But the truth is, there's probably no need to compare Down Cemetery Road to Slow Horses, even though I've been comparing them here anyway. Cemetery is a unique TV series, with a deft blend of humor and life-and-death excitement. By all means see it.
***
Meanwhile, based on the first five of six episodes of the fifth season of Slow Horses, which concluded on Apple TV over two months ago, I think it's in the running for being the best season so far.
Here are some highlights of the first five episodes of the fifth season (with very slight spoilers):
- James Callis as MI5 Director Whelan has had his best season yet. Actually, this is only his second season -- Whelan was introduced in Season 4 -- but Whelan was like fingernails on a blackboard, being just the right mix of irritating and infuriating in these five episodes. James Callus, memorable from his role in the rebooted Battlestar Galactica, will be memorable in this role in Slow Horses.
- Lamb delivers at least one great scene of flatulence in every season of Slow Horses. The silent but deadly one in Season 5 was his most pungent, with someone commenting that they could get lung cancer from breathing it in.
- River's grandfather David has a great scene in which he tries to explain that the team and MI5 are missing what the bad guys are planning to do in their "blind your enemy" attack. He tries to explain it to River but can't because of David's diminished mental capacities. Very touching.
- Coe, also introduced in Season 4, is an excellent addition to the team. Tom Brooke puts in a fine chillingly spooky performance, especially suitable for this time of year, i.e., Halloween->Thanksgiving->Christmas.
- Taking someone out with a can of paint via a complex Rube Goldberg chain of events is cool. (I'll say no more about that because I said the spoilers would be slight).
- Mick Jagger's "Strange Game" as the Slow Horses theme song remains perfect!
- Gary Oldman as Lamb is brilliant in every scene -- everyone is.
And here's what I especially liked in the finale of Slow Horses, season 5 (with slightly more than slight spoilers):
- River's grandfather comes through! His rambling about bees in episode 5.5 was an alert to how the terrorists besetting London had a final, potentially deadly sting in the tail-end of their attack, and Slough House and MI5 had to be careful not to overlook that.
- It was also really good to see River end up truly to form. His grandfather's counsel gets River to be able to save MI5 Director Whelan at the last minute. River wants out of Slough House and back with "the big boys again" (quote from Mick Jagger). And you know what? River's right. He's 100% correct that he's every bit as good as, in fact better than, the other agents in "The Park" (quote not from Jagger). But of course what he misses -- as does everyone else in Slough House, other than Lamb, who's well aware of this -- is that all the Slough House agents are better than the "big boys". (And that includes even Rodney Ho.)
- And so it comes to pass -- as it does in every season-- that nothing ever really changes at Slough House. Even when its agents are killed (which happened in Seasons 2 and 4). This lends credence to the interpretation that Slough House is really a purgatory. Which maybe it is.
And I'll see you back here as soon as Season Six is up. As I will for the second season of Down Cemetery Road. If push came to shove, which do I like even just a little more than the other? Probably Slow Horses, but Down Cemetery Road still has time to prove itself, and as far as your answer, that may well hinge of your opinion of flatulence, as a source of humor.
About the Creator
Paul Levinson
Novels The Silk Code, The Plot To Save Socrates, It's Real Life: An Alternate History of The Beatles; LPs Twice Upon A Rhyme & Welcome Up; nonfiction The Soft Edge & Digital McLuhan, translated into 15 languages. Prof, Fordham Univ.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Keep reading
More stories from Paul Levinson and writers in Criminal and other communities.
MobLand
Just saw the finale of what will almost certainly be the first season of a tour-de-force series about warring crime families on the other side of the pond, i.e., the UK. MobLand has everything -- a powerful, unpredictable story bristling with what The Godfather and its sequels did so well in the movies. That would be a potent, explosive blend of violence and family dynamics that can make your head spin.
By Paul Levinson7 months ago in Criminal
Drums Are Beating: Russia and China Align With Venezuela Amid Rising Tensions
**War Drums Are Beating: Russia and China Align With Venezuela Amid Rising Tensions** In recent weeks, global attention has turned sharply toward Venezuela as alarming headlines and rumors have fueled fears of a major international crisis. Claims of an emerging alliance between Russia, China, and Venezuela, combined with reports circulating online about the kidnapping of the Venezuelan president and his wife, have intensified public anxiety. While not all information has been officially confirmed, the situation reflects deep geopolitical tensions and a fragile regional balance that could have serious global consequences.
By America today 7 days ago in Criminal
America and Venezuela: How Decades of Tension Turned Into Open Confrontation
relationship between the United States and Venezuela has entered one of the most volatile periods in recent history, characterized by escalating tensions, military operations, diplomatic rupture, and international debate. What began as long-standing political and economic disagreement has now evolved into an open confrontation that carries major implications for regional stability, international law, and global geopolitics. Historical Roots of Tension The U.S.–Venezuela relationship has been fraught for decades, shaped by ideological differences, energy politics, and mutual distrust. Venezuela’s oil wealth historically made it a key partner for Washington, particularly throughout the 20th century. However, relations began cooling significantly in the late 1990s and early 2000s after Hugo Chávez rose to power with a project rooted in Bolivarian socialism and resistance to U.S. influence. Over the years, successive Venezuelan administrations under Chávez and later Nicolás Maduro adopted increasingly antagonistic foreign policies toward the United States, while the U.S. grew critical of Venezuela’s democratic backsliding and human rights record. The result was a heavily polarized bilateral relationship, with occasional cooperation overshadowed by frequent clashes, sanctions, and accusations of interference. These structural tensions widened after Venezuela’s disputed 2024 presidential election. The United States and several Western countries rejected the legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro’s victory, citing fraud and lack of transparency. Washington instead recognized opposition leader Edmundo González as interim president, deepening the diplomatic rupture at a time when both nations already had limited official channels of communication. � Encyclopedia Britannica +1 2025: From Sanctions to Military Escalation 2025 marked a dramatic escalation in the U.S.–Venezuelan conflict. Early in the year, the United States intensified pressure on Caracas through a combination of severe sanctions, economic coercion, and targeted counter-narcotics actions. The Trump administration designated Venezuela’s ruling elite and alleged criminal networks—most notably the so-called “Cartel de los Soles”—as terrorist organizations, a step that expanded U.S. legal authority to pursue punitive measures against individuals and assets linked to the Venezuelan government. � CRBC News These sanctions coincided with a significant military buildup in the Caribbean. Beginning in mid-2025, the United States deployed thousands of personnel, warships, aircraft, and surveillance assets near Venezuelan waters in an operation officially framed as a counter-narcotics and maritime security campaign. U.S. officials described these measures as necessary to disrupt smuggling networks and cartel operations alleged to be operating with Venezuelan complicity. Critics, however, interpreted the moves as coercive acts that blurred the line between counter-drug missions and preparations for conflict. � RTVE Throughout 2025, U.S. forces carried out a series of lethal maritime strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which Washington claimed were involved in transporting drugs toward the United States. These operations reportedly resulted in dozens of deaths and drew harsh criticism from human rights organizations and foreign governments who condemned them as disproportionate and in violation of international norms. � Encyclopedia Britannica Oil Seizures and Naval Blockade Compounding the tension were dramatic economic and naval measures. In December 2025, U.S. forces seized a Venezuelan-linked oil tanker, accusing it of carrying sanctioned oil destined for unauthorized markets. Shortly afterward, President Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned Venezuelan tankers entering or exiting the country, a step aimed at crippling Venezuela’s oil-dependent economy and cutting off the government’s primary source of revenue. Venezuela denounced these actions as “piracy” and called on international bodies to condemn what it saw as blatant theft and aggression. � Wikipedia +1 Such measures intensified the humanitarian and economic crisis in Venezuela, where hyperinflation, shortages of basic goods, and a collapsed healthcare system already plagued the population. Critics of U.S. policy argue that the blockade’s economic impact disproportionately affects ordinary Venezuelans, exacerbating suffering without offering a clear path to political resolution. The 2026 Military Operation and Capture of Maduro The culmination of these escalating tensions occurred on January 3, 2026, when U.S. special operations forces conducted a high-profile raid in Caracas, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation, described by critics as a violation of national sovereignty and international law, involved coordinated airstrikes and a covert helicopter insertion into Venezuelan territory. Maduro was transported to New York to face charges related to alleged drug trafficking and “narcoterrorism.” � AP News +1 President Trump proclaimed the raid a major victory, asserting that it would allow the United States to “run” Venezuela and stabilize the country, even opening the door for American oil companies to reenter the market. Yet, the legal basis for the operation remains fiercely disputed, and many observers liken it to the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama. Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, was appointed interim president by Caracas’s high court, but the country remains deeply divided, with ongoing protests and resistance from segments of the military. � The Guardian International Reaction and Future Prospects The global response has been sharply divided. Many Latin American countries, along with major powers like Russia and China, condemned the U.S. action as an unlawful intervention and breach of sovereignty. The United Nations has raised concerns about setting a dangerous precedent that could undermine international law and regional stability. Some European nations have called for de-escalation and respect for diplomatic solutions. � TIME As of early 2026, the future of U.S.–Venezuela relations is uncertain. Both nations stand at a crossroads: the United States insists it is acting to combat drug trafficking and restore democratic norms, while Venezuela decries foreign aggression and an attempt at regime change. The profound mistrust built up over years of political antagonism will make dialogue difficult, and the deepening humanitarian crisis adds urgency to finding pathways toward peace. In an era marked by rising geopolitical competition and domestic polarization, the U.S.–Venezuela conflict serves as a stark reminder of how historical grievances, economic interests, and ideological divides can spiral into open confrontation with ramifications far beyond their borders. If you’d like, I can tailor this further for a specific audience or format (e.g., blog style, opinion piece, or news report).
By Hasbanullah7 days ago in Criminal
Comments (1)
I understand the comparison as we all do that. I like Mick Jaggers song