Subtle Tribute to Heath Ledger in Slow Horses Season 5
The writers of Slow Horses have seemingly included a tribute to Heath Ledger in the show's fifth season. This reference appears in episode five of the Apple TV spy comedy.
Connection Between Gary Oldman and Heath Ledger
Gary Oldman, who stars as Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses, also played Lt. Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed 2008 film The Dark Knight. The fifth episode of the new season hints at a crossover between the two projects.
Scene Echoing The Dark Knight
During a moment of frustration with a colleague, Oldman’s character exclaims,
“When you talk, I wanna stick a pencil in my eye and headbutt the table!”
Fans believe this line nods to a famous scene from The Dark Knight, where Ledger’s Joker threatens a group of criminals by saying, “How about a magic trick?” before forcefully slamming a pencil into the table.
The Joker then claims,
“I’m going to make the pencil disappear.”
In a shocking move, he headbutts the pencil, making it “disappear” as he mocks his victims. This iconic scene is a standout moment in the film.
Remembering Heath Ledger
Tragically, Heath Ledger passed away at just 28 years old before The Dark Knight was released in 2008. Despite this, his portrayal of the Joker earned him a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Author's Summary
The fifth season of Slow Horses quietly honors Heath Ledger through a clever line that fans link to his unforgettable Joker performance in The Dark Knight.