#duffy’s tavern

[lupinoschums]

[lorespill]

one small thing i love about the slow horses characters is how they're named. everyone has unique names that just roll off the tongue. if names were aesthetic to rotate around your head then yeah they'd look like Jackson Lamb or Ingrid Tearney or River Cartwright or Emma Flyte or Marcus Longridge

[thealdersgateoffice]

Catherine Standish in every episode of Slow Horses

1.04 Visiting Hours 🐌🐎

[eliaca]

Slow Horses 3x06

[lovetgr76]

Catherine & Jackson

They’re not a couple, but they kind of are… here’s how… or why… maybe… Starting from S1e1 - written for a friend to show how this show is NOT about Catherine and Jackson... but also, it's TOTALLY about Catherine and Jackson! lol - feel free to chime in with thoughts, feelings, etc.

S1e1 Failure is Contagious

First time we see Jackson, he’s waking up, it’s a mess, he’s coughing and smoking at the same time, he looks outside, gloomy, raining, but wait… his eyes are caught by something, and he follows …

Catherine is seen crossing the street, in her boots and coat and purse strapped across her chest, with the floral print umbrella.

Standish, make her way up the street, clocks Moody at the bus stop, makes her way up the 4 floors at Aldersgate and is unseen/ignored by all of the other Slow Horses.  She gets to her office, turns on the light, puts away her things and 3 seconds later…. “STANDISH!” lol – she’s been noticed!

She is seen making her way to his office with a stack of folders but stands at the doorway to his office and doesn’t speak until she is spoken to –

Are they all in? – Lamb; All except River and Sid – Standish; Last one in can clean my lav - Lamb

*banging happens as someone is opening the door downstairs*

Standish and Lamb look disappointed in the slow horses in general for a moment.

I thought spooks were supposed to be stealthy – Lamb

Catherine grants him a tiny smile as she turns to go back towards her office.

Other Slow Horses comments and interactions w/ Standish

River – makes the “a reason not to blow my brains out!” comment

Struan – that Catherine is a tough nut to crack

Min – She never lightens up. Lamb’s lackey.

Louisa – talks about … what happened before (aka Partner)

Sid arrives with the laptop – aka SOMETHING happens at Slough House and …

“STANDISH! Flash Box!” – Lamb

Standish brings the Flash Box, stands silently, assists in getting it open…

“I’ve got a call to make, so if the pair of you wouldn’t mind, you know, fucking off” – Lamb

To Standish – Get me Lady Di.

Jackson is sleeping (or is he?) with his feet on the desk & Catherine (with coat and scarf on, as if ready to leave for the day) comes in to put a stack of folders on his desk.

She moves another folder to make room for the stack, putting them carefully on the edge of his desk.

Lamb kicks them over, on purpose, without reason… other than his… amusement? Into the trash can next to his desk and onto the floor as he leans back and sighs while watching her

What did your last servant die of? – Standish

Interesting that she calls herself servant, instead of secretary or personal assistant.

She immediately kneels to pick up the folders.

What did your last boss die of? – Lamb

He puts his feet back on the floor and reaches into a drawer to pull out TWO glasses and a bottle.

Because Standish is kneeling, this is at eye level for her and she hears the clinking of glass, trying to keep her head down.

She clearly sees Lamb pulling out TWO glasses, while gathering the folders in her arms, but is seen looking up at him, and then back down to the floor, then at the glasses being filled… as the moody music starts to play – this is dangerous territory, even if we don’t know it yet.

Standish puts the stack back on the corner of his desk and stands up while staring at the two glasses… she glances at Lamb, but goes back to staring at the booze. Dark music continues to suggest the seriousness of the moment.

Standish standing straight is seen as trying to calm her own desires as we see her shoulders go from tense and tight to her seemingly sighing and becoming resolved… as Lamb moves a glass of whiskey directly in front of her, taking a deep breath himself, in direct contrast to her own breathing.

Wanted to add that this particular moment has been brought up to the actors in interviews where Gary Oldman was asked WHY Lamb would offer Standish a drink knowing she’s an alcoholic.  Oldman stated that he sincerely believed Lamb was a bit jealous of her, her ability to say no, her resolve.  He, Lamb, would not or could not say no to whiskey and he admires / appreciates that she won’t… no matter how he tries to needle her – to anger her – to provoke her – and then to offer her – her preferred poison… his preferred poison!

Standish glares at him for a moment shaking her head “NO”… she will NOT drink today, and walks off as he’s already finishing his own drink.

Lamb finishes his drink in one gulp as Standish walks out and he’s left alone looking down at her offered drink, gulping that one down as well.

Next time we see Standish, she’s at her AA meeting.  She is not speaking, just listening, but we see her struggling a bit emotionally.  She is remembering finding Charles Partner’s, her ex-boss…

She is seen with flowers, she’s younger (hair color is darker?!) – she’s got makeup on – she wears no makeup now – her skirts are a bit shorter, her neckline a bit lower – she’s smiling and looks beautiful as she calls out for Charles. She finds him, though, we only see clues – he’s got Opera music playing, he’s in the bath, there’s blood dripping outside of the bath, and she sees him, she gasps and covers her mouth in shock. Music is intense and dramatic, this is traumatic.

Catherine is called out in her AA meeting, asked if she wants to speak. 

My name is Catherine and I’m an alcoholic. I’ll just listen tonight. – Standish.

Slow Horses are gathered in Roddy’s office watching the latest news about the hostage situation when Lamb is seen walking in from the stairs. Lamb says explaining the situation to them is like explaining Norway to a dog, and demands that they all go back to shuffling papers.

[peterlorrefanpage]

"Think of me as a sweet, lovable man, who makes certain people faint. Sort of a non-musical Frank Sinatra."

Catch Peter Lorre in "Missing Salami Sandwich Case", an episode of Duffy's Tavern radio show, airing Oct 19, 1943. Peter gets introduced around 14:33:

Duffy's Tavern refers to a place on 23rd St. in New York, managed by a guy named Archie, played by Ed Gardner. Shirley Booth, Gardner’s wife, also starred with him on this show. Booth had the role of Miss Duffy.

In this episode, Peter helps Archie track down the theft of a sandwich from the free lunch counter. Also with Mrs. Wells (wife of explorer Carveth Wells) and her talking mynah bird, "Raffles."

[kwebtv]

From the Golden Age of Television

Series Premiere

Duffy's Tavern - Grand Opening - Syndication - May 3, 1954

Sitcom

Running Time: 30 minutes

Written by Larry Rhine and Ben Starr

Produced by Hal Roach Jr

Directed by Harve Foster

Stars:

Ed Gardner as Archie

Alan Reed as Finnegan

Pattee Chapman as Miss Duffy

Jimmy Conlin as Charlie

John Doucette as Sweet Sue

Ben Welden as Slug

Frank Richards as Nick

Ralph Peters as Detective

Ben Moselle as Tough

Al Hill as Machine Gun

[nickmacleanjazz]

NICK MACLEAN QUARTET feat. BROWNMAN ALI hits the road in a couple of weeks for dates in NEWMARKET, CAMPBELLFORD, and TORONTO! Get your tickets now for a night of JUNO nominated, Herbie Hancock - influenced modern jazz!

-

THR-APR-18, 07PM NEWMARKET, ON @ Old Flame Brewing Co.

TIX: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/866227508797

FRI-APR-19, 06PM CAMPBELLFORD, ON @ Dockside Bistro

TIX: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/869523557367

SAT-APR-20, 06PM CAMPBELLFORD, ON @ Dockside Bistro

TIX: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/869523557367

SUN-APR-21, 07PM TORONTO, ON @ Duffy's Tavern

TIX: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/866768567117

-

FULL TOUR INFORMATION: Maclean.Browntasauras.com

----

"I was a great fan of Herbie Hancock’s 60’s music. Nick Maclean Quartet is very solid. « Convergence » is one of the best canadian albums of 2023 and should have chances to get a Juno."

- Denys Lelièvre, CKRL (Quebec City, Canada)

----

This April, the NICK MACLEAN QUARTET feat. BROWNMAN ALI celebrates the release of their newly JUNO NOMINATED sophomore album CONVERGENCE. Led by fast-rising piano star NICK MACLEAN -- a 10x Global Music Award winner and one of the most in-demand young jazz piano players in Toronto -- this contemplative yet thrilling quartet delivers jazz between the two poles of thoughtful introspection and powerhouse conveyance, taking influences from Herbie Hancock's primordial 1960's Blue Note era recordings. Maclean's quartet heavily features one of Canada's most provocative improvising trumpet players -- BROWNMAN ALI -- an internationally acclaimed, multi-award winning jazz iconoclast who has been heralded as "Canada's preeminent jazz trumpet player" by New York City's Village Voice and is best known globally as the last trumpet player to play in the legendary jazz-hip-hop group GURU's JAZZMATAZZ. For this show, Ali & Maclean stand shoulder-to-shoulder with 2 of Canada's top-tier 20-somethings: BENNETT YOUNG on upright bass, and ADAM MANSFIELD on drums (in for Jacob Wutzke).

***Copies of CONVERGENCE will be available for purchase at the show (physical and digital)***

Come witness these four in full flight, this performance will feature deeply exploratory, hard-swinging modern-jazz audiences will not want to miss.

----

:: Nick Maclean - piano

:: Brownman Ali - trumpet

:: Bennett Young - bass

:: Adam Mansfield - drums

----

PURCHASE your copy (digital or physical) of CONVERGENCE now!

Maclean.Browntasauras.com

"Convergence" released Oct 27 (Can) & Nov 24 (Int) on Browntasauras Records

----

WATCH singles from CONVERGENCE

ROAD WARRIOR (blazing uptempo swing)

DOLPHIN DANCE (introspective ballad)

VERBOTEN (irreverently funkified)

WISDOM OF AURELIUS (Latin jazz odyssey)

----

For more info:

www.Maclean.Browntasauras.com

www.NicholasMaclean.com

www.Brownman.com

www.Browntasauras.com

[bleach69]

NIRVANA, 13.05.90 - Duffy's Tavern, Lincoln, NE 🇺🇸.

[abubblingcandle]

"I know you're hurt." for the drabble prompt? With River???? <333333

So it felt like cheating that I'm literally writing a thing that's gonna be like 4000 words that is this prompt for you 😂 So I aimed to do something quick and shorter but then that ended up at 500 words so I can't do short. May post to AO3, haven't decided yet. May continue it, haven't decided yet. Opinions on either of those things would be much appreciated

River didn't know why he had come back to Slough House. But he sat in his car after delivering the file to his contact and then he was in his regular parking space. It should be concerning that River couldn't remember driving, but he was too tired to be concerned about anything. Which is why he should have just gone home. River sighed, grip tightening painfully around the steering wheel, and then got out of the car slamming the door in his wake. The stairs were harder than he remembered them being and River was breathing heavily by the time he slumped against his desk. “Why the fuck are you here?" Lamb's voice startled River out of his apparent plan to just stare at Louisa's desk. River shrugged, resting his elbows on the table. "Where's everyone else?” "At home or being debriefed by The Park. They want to talk to you as well but you fucked off, "Lamb perched on the edge of River's table. “After they tried to kill me you mean," River huffed, rolling his eyes. “Well we all want to do that, don't take it personally, "Lamb scoffed. "Although I would head down there before they come and pull you out of your bed. I know you’re hurt but they won’t care about that.” “Will you come with me?” River didn't know why that came out of his mouth. He was so pathetic, asking his boss who publicly hated him to go to The Park with him because he was scared of a little interrogation. At least it wasn't going to be Duffy. It probably would be Taverner though, that was worse. "Yeah alright," Lamb coughed, clearing his throat with a wet hacking that made River want to throw up. “Wait what?" River frowned. “I said alright, Duffy make you deaf as well as stupid?" Lamb replied, slapping his thighs before getting up. "No you were stupid before he kicked your face in. I'll drive I don't want to die because you're cursed." Lamb pulled his coat on and held his hand out expectantly "Really?" River frowned, wincing as he pulled the cut on his nose. “Might as well. And probably wise that. You’d confess to crimes you didn't even do as well as the ones you did, "Lamb wiggled his fingers River huffed but still tossed lamb the keys. "You're getting it cleaned after. It smelling like a distillery will get me arrested," River bit back a moan as he levered himself to his feet. “No.” River sighed, yeah that was a stretch. But as he limped down the stairs after Lamb, River found a little smile twitching at his lips. He was still absolutely bricking it, thinking about walking into the den of the beast after what he had just done. But Lamb wouldn't let him rot there. As much as he claimed to hate it, River Cartwright was a slow horse. He was one of Jackson Lamb's slow horses. Maybe that wasn’t so bad.

[noforkingclue]

Her Blood Soaked Hands Chapter 1 (River Cartwright x OC)

Summary :

Naomi Heart

MI5 assassin (although really that word is just so outdated). Taverner blackmailed her into joining The Service or face prison time for a crime that she may, or may not have, done. Naomi hates having to work under Taverner but has even less desire to go to prison. Really she can see only way for her to get back her life-

Somehow make it into Slough House.

And she knows just the person to help her achieve this.

Author's Note: I wanted to go along a different route and make an OC that's a bit more... stabby than my other girls. Hope you enjoy this :)

Warnings: cannon typical violence, death (lots of death...)

Slow Horses tag list: @cillmequick

There weren’t many things that Duffy despised. Oh there were plenty of things that he hated but to loathe with a burning passion (not that he used that word too often) was far, far rarer.

Cartwright definitely made that list. An over arrogant cunt who never should’ve been made a spy in the first place. He believed that he had earned his spot due to the talents of his grandfather and not the limited ones of his own.

Taverner was next. Far too devious and would probably happily stab her own family in the back if it meant she could become First Desk. Duffy knew that she also despised, and distrusted him, so at least the feeling was mutual. Still, Duffy wanted to keep his job and Taverner was probably already plotting a way to get rid of him.

Then there was the general public. Well, specifically the public who somehow managed to get mixed up The Park’s business one way or another. They’d seen something that they shouldn’t and become snivelling wrecks. Oh well, at least the woman he was interviewing now was attractive enough to make this worthwhile.

“Ok,” he said as he led her away from the civilian emergency services, “let’s go through this one last time.”

“But I’ve already been through it with the police.” she said, a fresh set of tears pouring down her face

“Yeah, well, I need to hear it.”

“O… ok,” she sniffed once more before taking a deep breath, “I was hired to do some house sitting for the Jones’. I arrived slightly early so they could let me in-”

She cut herself off. By now Duffy and her were a suitable distance from the rest of the civilians. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She looked down at the ground and swallowed thickly. For a moment Duffy thought she was going to throw up.

“And?” Duffy said

When she looked back up any grief in her eyes and gone. She smiled widely and said,

“Well then Nick, the next thing I did was to shoot them all in the head.”

And then there was Taverner’s pet psychopath. Duffy pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. She just continued to smile and he said,

“I thought you only had one target.”

“Well you know how it is…”

“No I don’t.”

“Don’t you?” her voice lowered, “It’s not like you haven’t killed people before.”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

“It just is. You know I’m going to have to report this.”

“Oh good,” her smile widened which, although he would never say this, unnerved Duffy, “I do hope so.”

“Excuse me? Are you finished with your interview? We’re going to have to treat her for shock.”

Immediately the mask slipped back onto her face and she was led back towards the ambulance. Duffy shook his head as he watched her leave with the medics. They really had no idea who they were dealing with, did they?

Civilians.

*

Diana Taverner looked out of the glass wall of her office and surveyed her empire below her. She knew that technically it wasn’t fully hers just yet but that was just a formality. She liked it when The Park was like this. Only the night shift on duty, no major catastrophes to remedy or create. Only the quiet hush that-

Was interrupted by the drumming of fingers.

Diana looked in the reflection of the glass at the young woman lounging on the leather sofa. She glanced over at Diana and raised her eyebrows. Neither of them spoke, not wanting to be the first to shatter the peace. Eventually the younger woman sighed and said,

“Is this going to take much longer?”

Diana smirked. Another battle won. She didn’t immediately reply, continuing to observe those below her. The other woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“I didn’t realise you had anywhere else to be.”

Her eyes snapped open and she glanced over at Diana.

“I do have a life outside of here.”

“Hmm.”

She narrowed her eyes at Diana’s response. Diana turned on her heel and walked towards her desk. She sat down and picked up Duffy’s report. She read through it again before looking at her over the top of it. She wondered how many times Duffy had to redraft and edit it in order to make it professionally suitable.

“How many this time, Heart?” she asked

“Why? Didn’t Duffy remember to include it in his report.”

“I want to hear your side of things.”

“Makes a change.”

“And you’d do well to remember who is in charge.”

“I remember. Dame Ingrid Tearney, right?”

Taverner’s gaze hardened for a second before a cold smile appeared on her face. She clicked her fingers and pointed to the seat opposite her. Heart didn’t move immediately but one pointed look for Taverner made her sigh and move. She collapsed into the chair and Taverner said,

“I gave you one target.”

“You did.”

“So tell me, Naomi, why are we dealing with three dead bodies.”

Naomi bit her lip and rocked back in her chair. She looked up at the ceiling and said,

“They were paedophiles?”

“Were they?”

“Would that make things better or worse if they were?” Naomi rocked forwards and rested her elbows on Taverner’s desk

“We could work with that.”

“Then no, they weren’t. They just,” she shrugged, “got in the way.”

“You know,” Taverner’s gaze flicked back to the report, “Duffy called you a liability.”

“Did he?” Naomi said in amusement

“Among other things. None of which are overly flattering.”

“Really? Did he put that down in his report?”

“He’s suggesting that you should be terminated.”

“Literally or figuratively?”

“That,” Taverner ignored Naomi’s comment, “you shouldn’t be here.”

“And what do you think.”

Naomi and Taverner locked gazes. Taverner put down the report and leant back in her seat. She steepled her fingers and said,

“That, for the meantime, you’re useful.”

“What a relief. I would hate to be a burden.”

A brief smile flashed across Taverner’s face. Naomi looked out of the window, doing the same as Taverner earlier. The Park really was at its best like this.

“So what’s going to happen now?” Naomi asked, “I’m assuming that there’ll be an investigation.”

“No need to waste time and resources on that.”

Naomi looked over at Taverner sharply. She raised her eyebrows at Naomi before turning her attention towards her computer.

“I thought-” Naomi started

“Yes?”

Taverner’s gaze locked with Noami’s and she felt her cheeks get hot under her stare.

“Nothing.”

“If you have something to say, please, feel free.”

Free.

Naomi was anything but free. Taverner had sunk her claws so deep into her that it was almost impossible for her to see a way out.

“No,” Naomi said quietly, “no comment.”

“Good.”

“I’ll be heading off then.”

“I’ll have some more work for you tomorrow.”

“It’s a Saturday,” Naomi said, “don’t I get time off?”

“Not this Saturday. Now don’t let me detain you from your very busy personal life.”

Naomi bit her tongue as she left Taverner’s office. She was used to having the upper hand in these types of situations. Diana Taverner did nothing but bring a sense of uneasiness with every conversation. She sighed as she made her way through The Park’s corridors. Hushed whispers followed her but by now she had become used to them. Her line of work was a lonely one. Others tended to avoid people like her. Even those in the same line of work didn’t talk much. Just the odd ‘hello’ here and there but apart from that, nothing.

Naomi sighed and rested against the railing as she looked down on the people below. She could feel the stares but continued to ignore them. Diana fucking Taverner. This was all her fault. Naomi had a good life before Lady Di pushed her way into it. A good job, a nice house, things that mattered. But now Taverner had her exactly where she wanted Naomi- at her beck and call.

It wasn’t as though Naomi hadn’t tried her damnedest to get out from under Taverner. Every little trick in the book she had tried and Taverner had always managed to find a way to drag her back. Really, Naomi should’ve been expecting something like this. You didn’t become Second Desk without being unhand. Maybe Taverner was grooming her to become some sort of replacement? Doubtful. Even the mere thought made Naomi wrinkle her nose.

Oh she had no desire to go to prison, not at all, but she didn’t want to be chained up here for the rest of her career.

“Did you hear about what happened the other day?”

Naomi perked up at the possibility of hearing some gossip. Gossip was a valuable form of currency at The Park. Rumours, true or not, could easily destroy someone. Always a useful weapon to have and Naomi was constantly looking for ways to upgrade her arsenal

“Was this about those fucking Slow Horses?” the second agent said as they passed by Naomi in a hurry

Well then, why didn’t she think about them earlier?

*

It had been another rough day for River. Then again, those days were becoming more and more frequent. The bad always outweighed the good in Slough House. Jackson Lamb had the uncanny ability to suck any joy out of someone's day. In the end it was just to give up.

“Excuse me, is this spot taken?” a woman said

River shook his head but didn’t bother looking over. After all, she was just going to be waiting for someone else. No one ever went looking for a Slow Horse. How long had it been since he had gone on a date? It was hard enough to get a date when working at The Park but being in Slough House just sucked every bit of energy from River. It was why he was spending his Friday night drinking alone in a bar. Always a good sign for his future.

“You’re River Cartwright.”

Now this caught River’s attention. River finally looked over at the woman who stood next to him at the bar. She smiled at him but there was a hint of… something behind it. He had seen that look before on Taverner and on Lamb. It didn’t suit someone so young and so attractive. River tried to take another sip of his pint but ended up missing his mouth and spilling part of it down his shirt.

Estuary accent. Nothing particularly remarkable although it sounded ever so slightly forced. He narrowed his eyes as he took another sip of his pint, this time the alcohol actually going into his mouth. 

“You’re in Slough House.”

So, she was definitely Service. He winced at her statement causing a flash of amusement to cross her face. It was an automatic reaction, one that he was trying (and failing) to break. Her smile widened as she edged closer. Fuck, when was the last time he had someone this close to him who wasn’t trying to kill him? However, the disarming smile and dangerous glint in her eyes was enough for River to second guess that latter bit.

“You are.” she said quietly, her breath fanning faintly across his cheek

“It’s not exactly a secret,” muttered River, “if you work where I think you work.”

She cocked her head to the side as she studied him intently.

“You want out of there.” she said bluntly

“Who doesn’t?”

River put his pint down, slightly harsher than intended. Some more of his overpriced pint sloshed out and he tried not to think about what a waste of money that was.

“Who the fuck are you and why do you give a fuck about Slough House.”

“You want out,” the mystery woman repeated, “and I want in. Maybe we can help each other out.”

[anastasiaoftheironwood]

I saw this play Saturday night at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley.

It.Is. AMAZING.

"Will Shakespeare is an upstart crow looking to make his name. Kit Marlowe is the greatest poet of the age and knows it. He's also a spy for the English crown. In the back room of a tavern, against the backdrop of a polarized and paranoid England where even the slightest misstep can lead to a death sentence, the two writers embark on a risky collaboration. Artistic partnership becomes a dangerous dance of inspiration, artistry, seduction, and possible betrayal. Experience the thrill of creative expression and the precariousness of living in a society where every move is scrutinized."

And, lucky you—you can watch it streaming! You do not have to go to Berkeley. (Although, if you can, I highly encourage you to go in person—the Aurora is a delightful experience in person).

The stream is pre-recorded, so you can watch it any time in the 36 hour period you book for.

It's playing through October 1.

WATCH THIS PLAY. You will be glad you did.

[1llusionmachine]

Slow Horses reaction

SPOILERS obvs (and a hint at the rest of the series if you read the book)

-them casually dropping the info that DUFFYS NOT DEAD?? my satisfaction from the end of s3 has been stolen from me

-lambs obsession with jaffa cakes is me fr

-roddy eating chicken while a bomb goes off is also me FR

-catherines shit acting at discovering river's 'death' had us HOWLINGG

-louisa and river at the pub was hilarious and so awkward

-taverner doing whelan's job for him while still not being first desk is top notch comedy, she deserves the suffering of having an idiot boss

-shirley and marcus' friendship is fab and i hope nothing happens where it will change x

-the french rap at the end was crazy?

-poor louisa when she gets the news💔altho roddy nicking river's computer is utterly hilarious

-emma flyte i think ur one of my fave characters now🩷

[gay-edwardian]

My Best Attempt at Coherence Regarding Diana Taverner

First of all - I just love her hair this season. With the noticeable light streak (that both she and Tearney have in some way)? Hot. She's always so put together and elegant, I love it and I hope we one day get to see her dishevelled, because there's very little that's more attractive than someone who is very smartly-dressed and neat being completely undone and at their lowest.

She's just... such a terrible person. I love her. She's scheming and selfish and horrible and she's so witty and dry about it. She hates River and is also explicitly happy to watch Duffy and the dogs fumble around.

Before I get into the main thing that's making me want to chew drywall about her: her role in the story/series is soooooo interesting she's an antagonist but also not really because she is sort of working towards the same goal as the protagonists (she's doing the job she's doing because technically or on some level she wants to protect people), but she's also always her number one priority. She really only cares for herself and it's fabulous to watch. She's not a straight-up antagonist in any season, more of an obstacle or inconvenience, and I've only read the first book so I don't know if this next thing ever changes (don't tell me if you have read the books, I don't want to know), but she doesn't seem to be some big overarching antagonist either. Her goals cause problems but so do everyone else's, and I don't even think she thinks that what she wants is right (she's tentative allies with Peter Judd, who by her own utterance she knows is the worst), but nobody can argue that she's downright evil.

Ok but like. The dynamics between Di and literally any other character (but like. mostly Lamb and Tearney) are like... They're fabulous. With Lamb, she utterly hates him but also respects him. When he sends her information she pretends to be dismissive but also takes that information into account. She's constantly trying to get the upper hand but keeps on running into the problem that, when all's said and done, he's often better than her at these things. Sure they do different jobs, but when it comes to cleaning up her messes, he has a track record.

And I'm OBSESSED with her and Tearney (take that however you will). The mind games they're playing with each other this season! Again, I'm only three episodes in so I don't know if she's at all behind this little stunt, but if she is hoo boy she's just ruthless in the pursuit of what she wants (and it's fascinating how Diana, who is an incredibly intelligent character, is at her stupidest when she's furthering her own agenda. The s1 mess was hers, even more so in the book). And that scene between the two of them in e3?? Hello??? They're fucking. They're divorced. They want each other dead but they also want to protect each other. The delicious scene in question begins with a declaration of ultimate loyalty and sympathy from Di (with an undertone of "I want to steal your job out from under you") and it ends with "you and me" being the "collateral damage" that Ingrid wants to limit. I'm having So Many Thoughts about these two.

And also aghhhhh Kristin Scott Thomas just makes me feral