Slow Horses Season 5 Pays Tribute to Heath Ledger's Joker
In Slow Horses season 5, Gary Oldman's character Jackson Lamb delivers a line that closely mirrors a famous moment from The Dark Knight involving Heath Ledger’s Joker. The phrase, "How about a magic trick?", echoes Ledger’s iconic performance in the 2008 film.
"How about a magic trick?"
In the original film, Joker uses this line before violently slamming a man’s head into a pencil, making it "disappear." This sharp and memorable moment remains one of many quotes that have deeply influenced pop culture since Christopher Nolan’s comic book adaptation premiered.
Enduring Legacy of The Dark Knight
More than 15 years after its release, The Dark Knight is widely regarded as a superior superhero film, often seen as Christopher Nolan’s equivalent of a crime epic like Heat. It set a high benchmark for comic book movies the same year the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with Iron Man, reshaping Hollywood.
Despite nearly two decades and 37 MCU films, none have matched The Dark Knight’s impact, highlighting the film’s lasting influence and possibly explaining recent challenges faced by the MCU.
Slow Horses Writers Influenced by The Dark Knight
The homage in Slow Horses season 5’s episode titled Incommunicado suggests the show's writers remain inspired by Nolan’s film. The reference shows the cultural resonance of Ledger’s Joker and Oldman’s connection to that legacy.
"More than 15 years later, The Dark Knight is somehow better than you remember it."
Gary Oldman’s nod to his late co-star Heath Ledger blends nostalgia with fresh storytelling in Slow Horses, linking two acclaimed performances across different genres.
Author's Summary
The new season of Slow Horses creatively honors Heath Ledger's Joker, underscoring The Dark Knight's lasting impact on cinema and pop culture through Gary Oldman’s subtle tribute.