Loch Henry

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.

Clever episode... where old technology becomes the wrinkle in the story.

For a show built on the fear of new technologies and an increasingly global takeover of everyone's lives it was a brave call to base an old forgotten big story in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere.

Old technologies become the focus this time. But you still have the dystopian world view to be appalled at or present day reality in effect.

Great acting from Monica as always (an underrated actress best known for her work in W1A perhaps).

People who didn't think this was a worthy black mirror episode I think missed the point.

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.

I am not going to write a long essay with spoilers about the episode. If you have watched the episode you know everything. But if you haven't then watch it. But better without the expectations of a Black Mirror story.

Acting wise, casting wise, direction wise and cinematography was fantastic as usual. And the story is also a good thriller. But as a black mirror fan I expect something extraordinary in a black mirror episode like something happens with a technological advantage or something futuristic or something like a parallel universe. It could be released as a separate film or limited series like 'Behind her eyes'(Although that story was different) or other thrillers. But missed that X factor.

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.