"Slow Horses" Pays Subtle Tribute to Heath Ledger
The writers of the Apple TV spy comedy series Slow Horses included a discreet tribute to Heath Ledger in the show's fifth season. This nod appears in episode five, blending stories from different realms.
Gary Oldman, who stars as Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses, also played Lt. Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 classic The Dark Knight. In this episode, the connection becomes noticeable when Lamb, irritated by a colleague, says:
“When you talk, I wanna stick a pencil in my eye and headbutt the table!”
Viewers have suggested this line references an iconic moment in The Dark Knight where Ledger’s Joker frightens criminals by offering a "magic trick," then slams a pencil into the table, threatening them:
“I’m going to make the pencil disappear.”
After that, the Joker forces his head through the pencil as an intimidation tactic, concluding, “It’s gone.”
Heath Ledger tragically died at 28, before The Dark Knight premiered in 2008. His posthumous Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor immortalized his remarkable performance.
Summary
This subtle reference in Slow Horses honors Heath Ledger's unforgettable Joker role through a clever line delivered by Gary Oldman’s character, connecting the two performances.
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