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.
