Slow Horses Season 5 Nod to Gary Oldman's Dark Knight Co-Star
In Slow Horses season 5, Gary Oldman's character, Jackson Lamb, delivers a joke reminiscent of a scene from The Dark Knight featuring his late co-star Heath Ledger.
“How about a magic trick?”
This line echoes one of Heath Ledger’s iconic quotes as the Joker in the 2008 film, where the villain makes a gruesome trick by smashing a man’s head into a pencil, causing it to "disappear." The phrase is just one of many memorable moments from Christopher Nolan’s film, which has influenced pop culture deeply since its release.
Lasting Impact of The Dark Knight
More than 15 years later, The Dark Knight still stands out as a pinnacle in superhero cinema. Nolan's film, often seen as a superhero version of Heat, set a high bar for comic book movies. It premiered the same year as the first Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film, Iron Man, which reshaped Hollywood.
Despite nearly two decades and 37 MCU films, many argue that none have matched Nolan’s dark, gritty masterpiece — showing its lasting influence and perhaps explaining some struggles in the MCU’s recent offerings.
Slow Horses Writers' Tribute
The writers of Slow Horses appear to be paying tribute to The Dark Knight in season 5's episode titled "Incommunicado," reflecting the ongoing cultural resonance of Nolan’s film and Ledger’s performance.
Gary Oldman’s subtle homage offers a respectful nod to his former co-star and one of the defining roles in modern cinema.
Author’s summary: Slow Horses season 5 subtly honors Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight, highlighting the film’s enduring cultural impact and Nolan’s unmatched superhero storytelling.