Bête Noire

Bête Noire could have been a really great episode, and it might actually be better on the second watch. You were conscious that something was happening but it was a bit hard to pin-point definitively what that was until about 3/4 of the way through the episode.

Unfortunately both the antagonist and protagonist in the episode had quite jarringly annoying personalities which made the 'plodding' pace of the episode rather painful. Most of the side-characters were thankfully quite reasonable and therefore likeable.

Sadly, amongst some interesting themes and messaging the ending to this was so insanely unbelievable for the escalation period it offers, that it left you feeling very underwhelmed at the end.

Black mirrors first few seasons had many episodes that made you walk away thinking about the depth of the message, so well intertwined, for a long time post viewing. This one had that potential but the story and meaning took too long to get to the point, the ending was therefore quite out of place.

Probably a 6, but the ending knocks it down a star for me. Not the worst but definitely far from the best.

Bête Noire is an episode that builds up incredibly well to its final conclusion. While it is somewhat predictable in a few moments, it still manages to deliver a suspenseful and gripping experience from start to finish. The atmosphere is tense, the pacing is strong, and the ideas it explores are genuinely interesting - More interesting than any episode from last seasons Red Mirror Episodes.

My only real complaint is that the ending felt a bit silly compared to the stress and pressure the rest of the episode built up. Still, it seems fitting-the message being that unlimited power can eventually turn someone into exactly what they despise.

Overall, it was a fun and thought-provoking watch, my hoodie has bite marks all over it now. Definitely standing out above last season's average.

I'm gonna go a bit clairvoyant here and say that you rewound or will rewind back to near the beginning once you hit roughly sixteen minutes and forty five seconds..

Am I correct? Then be sure to hit the thumbs up lol.

A good episode, and seemed so much like real life in parts, for someone who suffers from a severe condition. I genuinely think you need to be in an extremely happy mood before you start this season, only 2 episode in and it's a bit depressing or is it? Lol.

Really had 'Inside No 9' vibes, so obviously that made me like it even more.

Amazing as always, I don't know how Charlie Brooker keeps being so consistent with each series. Brilliant plot, acting and premise. Again adding to the masterpiece that is Black Mirror!!

The episode does have a slower start but once it picks up the pace the plot starts to unfold brilliantly. Siena Kelly's dynamite performance of a person fighting for her sanity is just so good and its so fun to watch the pure hatred Rosy McEwen character has for her every time they share the scene together.

Sometimes it seemed like I was watching a real life workplace drama and the tension was high in every scene, every moment of despair, jealousy and malice just superbly acted.

Giving a title to each day of the week in the episode and then complementing it with a bizarre, horror movie like sound piece really solidified the main characters rapid descent into madness and was a nice touch.

The twist in the episode was really well done, felt fresh and unique, I really enjoyed this and hopefully more episodes in this season are like the first two.

Food developer Maria's nose is put out of joint when her former school pupil Verity takes a role at her place of work. Things start to go wrong for Maria, but is she losing control of reality?

Not just a story of revenge, but a story of out and out loathing, Bête Noire is Black Mirror perhaps not quite at its best, but definitely hitting fourth gear.

I really did enjoy this one, I think it's one that will be better on subsequent viewings.

In these days of deep fakes and altered images, this goes one step further, what if reality itself was altered, the future, though exciting, also adds a few fears.

So dark and twisted, but kind of funny at the same time. We're given something a little different here, I can't quite work out if we're given a happy ending here or not, but it's as close as BM ever gets to one.

I really rated this one, very quirky.

8/10.