Loch Henry

I'm actually considering cancelling my Netflix membership and signing up with Streamberry, it's that good! In reading some of the review complaints about this episode not being in line with Black Mirror's recognizable sci-fi/tech themes, yes, this isn't per se, but because the film is dated, the technology is at best VHS tapes. Still, not the usual near-future dystopia with sci-fi technology, but nevertheless a Hitchcockian theme every now and then is a refreshing change, because change is good. The previous episode was based on tech, so this one was certainly a welcome entry. All casting and performances were excellent, as was the cinematography and score, and although it starts off a little slowly paced, trust me, the wait is worth it by the third act. Compared to the previous two seasons, I can say so far, Black Mirror is back with flying colors. A near perfect 9/10 from me for this little suspenseful gem.

Black Mirror has always been a startling commentary on technology. This season has been drifting away from that and bordering on some kind of horror/fantasy. Why can't the writers pause and remember that San Junipero was their best episode and realize that we don't need to feel scared, we need to be mesmerized and surprised by new concepts surrounding technological advancements. And if those concepts happen to excite us or just freak us out, cool. But the goal doesn't need to simply be to freak us out. Mazey Day & Demon 79 had the same problem. While these kinds of episodes are entertaining on their own, they aren't Black Mirror.

A young couple return to his family home in a remote, sleepy Scottish village, a village that hides a secret, a secret his girlfriend is keen to expose in a documentary.

I'll go so far as to say this is best thing I've seen so far this year, this was classic Black Mirror. Initially you may be thinking you're watching a straight up mystery thriller, wondering exactly where The Black Mirror element is, but trust me it comes, and just to remember that Black Mirror has always been about a terrifying insight into the future, and for Davis, that's exactly what it is.

The story was so wonderfully macabre and twisted, the first half is measured, but builds well, the last twenty minutes were off the scale, that was some climax.

The music was great, it was well produced as you'd expect. It really did have a sort of classic feel to it.

The acting was so good, Myha'la Herrold, Samuel Blenkin and John Hannah were spot on, Monica Dolan however, whenever I see her name appear, I know what I'm about to watch will be good. Trouble is I'm so accustomed to her stealing the show, and I now except it, and guess what, that's exactly what she does, again, she is phenomenal.

I absolutely loved it, the best for a while.

10/10.

Honestly this was a really welcome episode. I'm glad to see that Brooker has not turned his back on writing dark tales that don't need to rely on future technology or dystopian sci-fi to feel relevant. There is more than enough "commentary" in here the ethics of true crime content and money hungry streaming services just to name a few. No complaints with any of the actors or performances in this episode and it was great to see BM returning to a UK based epsiode, made me nostalgic for the Channel 4 years.

I think a lot of reviewers on here have missed some crucial points in this episode. Many are complaining that there was no technology based element to this episode which I find ridiculous. The technology was there and it was key to the plot, it was simply analogue technology rather than futuristic technology. It was the characters discovering tapes and digitising them (making use of once futuristic technology and bringing it in to the contemporary) that led to the whole secret being uncovered.

Honestly I find it confusing that people clearly missed the point with this one.

And there's even reviewers on here complaining that the ending was confusing? If you found this episode confusing I don't think Black Mirror is the show for you. Clearly.

Black Mirror came back after a long time. I started off with this episode and I don't know, I remember the essence of Black Mirror to be portraying the negative influence and manipulating nature of cutting edge technology. If it's anything, this episode strayed far from the prime essence but the episode in a stand alone sense was good. Well-written characters, the twist was a tad obvious but the actors that played the role was really convincing. The menace part was the twist itself and it did send a chill down the spine.

But again, the essence of Black Mirror was absent and that is what disappointed me in this episode.