Plaything

I watched Common People after seeing lots of rankings claiming it was the best example of "Oldschool Black Mirror". The same rankings put "Playthings" episode last.

Common People was pretty thought provoking, but as an episode it was super dull. It's about as Black Mirror as Nosedive, which was where the problems really began. This show lost so much quality from that season.

Playthings, on the other hand, felt dark and edgy, the British way. Back when this show was good. When it made you feel existentially uncomfortable.

Please Charlie Brooker, stop catering to Americans and go back to making dark episodes like this please. The nation will forever thank you for it.

Plaything is genuinely the greatest Black Mirror episode to come out in years. It's such an incredible concept executed extremely well in just a very short time. The actors have done an incredible job on this one, and so have the directors. They do an extremely good job building the world, and all the references are so fun to catch. The soundtrack is doing an exceptional job too.

The episode is even more fun if you've watched Bandersnatch, the interactive episode. Glad to see Colin Ritman again, in a completely brand new plot.

While the recent reviews seem to be harsh on this episode, it will age as one of the best Black Mirror episode to exist.

What a great acting for this man. BUT, this episode felt like half-baked one... Honestly, I think it would can be much better...beside that, the casting is great, and the concept reminds me the good old black mirror... I truly recommend this episode but don't expect for a surprising end that will drop your jaw down. I have no doubt that the creators of the series could have made more out of this episode. Something there feels unfinished, it's hard to explain, maybe my expectations were too high. What is certain is that, as I wrote in the title, Peter is a true and true star. So, I'll hope that the other episodes will better than that.

Peter Capaldi is consistently world class. This is another stellar performance to add to his already pretty heaving canon of work. Plus, a very memorable & scene-stealing cameo from the always captivating Will Poulter. For this alone, I'd say this one's worth a watch.

BUT...

It doesn't have an ending. Like, it just doesn't. I dunno if that's Brooker deliberately setting up another sequel episode a-la Callister, or just running out of steam/ideas (6 episodes is a pretty incredible return given the low standard and briefness of the last couple of seasons), but it was frustrating. Like a lot of entertainment right now.

Still delighted overall by the massive increase in quality in this season compared the the last - but overall, it's been very hit and miss.

Cameron Walker is arrested and explains his remarkable story to The Police.

This was old school Black Mirror, if you're a die hard fan of the early years, this one will definitely appeal to you.

Dark and macabre, as far away from the likes of Joan is awful and Mazey Day as you can imagine, bleak themes, violence, psychosis, this one

It's weird in every possible way, the opening, the storyline, Capaldi's appearance, bizarre isn't the word, but I'd suggest it's a good and effective episode. Bandersnatch vibes perhaps.

One thing that's clear, series seven is offering up some very different styles, not two episodes have been alike so far.

One thing is clear, Capaldi is a fabulous actor, he's capable of elevating a decent script into something more. Lewis Grabben, excellent also.

Weird, but effective.

7/10.