An isolated man is introduced to a groundbreaking system that allows its users to literally step inside old photographs - stirring powerful emotions in the process.An isolated man is introduced to a groundbreaking system that allows its users to literally step inside old photographs - stirring powerful emotions in the process.An isolated man is introduced to a groundbreaking system that allows its users to literally step inside old photographs - stirring powerful emotions in the process.
Featured reviews
Paul Giamatti. I need not say more, but will anyways. Each season 7 episode has been so profound, that the science fiction aspect merely feels like it is in the room, but not in the spotlight. I am a huge lover of this genre, but I found these episodes to be even more than the genre itself. The concept of this episode was simple enough, and it wasn't so far fetched as Black Mirror can be. But somehow it impressed me beyond any other episode. Was it Giamatti? Was it the premise? I think both, but mostly the actor. He wonderfully portrayed the human element of love, regret, grief, and pain. What it is to live and to love. The end scene captured those complex feelings of being human. Wow. The words escaped my lips as I watched Giamatti emote on the screen. What a wonderful portrayal.
It's a slow build up to the final reveal. The emotional payoff is worth it, though. It's nothing new or groundbreaking, it just hit me at a deeper level than anything I've seen in quite some time. It had me reflecting on my young adult years in the early 1990s, which lines up with the timeline presented in this episode. Although the great actor Paul Giamatti is a few years too old to make the years make sense, he delivers a powerful performance. Perhaps those who married their high school sweetheart or who have never had a love lost might not be able to connect with this episode. Although many who have experienced heartbreak in relationships and end up looking back decades later with regret or not sure why it didn't work - this episode is for you. I started thinking about my first love from over 30 years ago because of this episode, who I haven't spoken to or thought about in 20 years. When a show can move you like that, it's done its job.
10jc1201
Paul Giamatti here is unbelievably good as a person who has spent the majority of their life grieving the loss of a deep connection, full of self pity and self loathing and never attempting to see things from another perspective. This perspective is helpfully (or hurtfully) provided by a "guide" who is there to probe his memory to find at least one good one to be presented at a funeral a few days hence.
It's a deeply raw, emotional exploration of a tragically doomed love that never had a chance due to timing, circumstances, and the usual unknowable follies of the young.
I connected more with the source material here than I was expecting, and it hit me like a truck. 10/10.
It's a deeply raw, emotional exploration of a tragically doomed love that never had a chance due to timing, circumstances, and the usual unknowable follies of the young.
I connected more with the source material here than I was expecting, and it hit me like a truck. 10/10.
I didn't really hear much about this episode so I went in completely blind. WOW. What an absolutely gut-wrenching episode. The whole concept and the acting, absolutely incredible. Paul Giamatti absolutely nailed the role as well. I was a little mixed at the beginning since I wasn't quite sure where it was going, but by the end it really pulled everything together. The ending of this episode was probably my favorite of any episode in recent memory since at least San Junipero. Which was completely unexpected. Me and my girlfriend were both in tears by the end of it. One of the best Black Mirror episodes in years easily.
10Jeff-0
Overwhelming emotion, and by far the best acting of the series. It doesn't always take some big twist for an episode to truly blossom or stand out, and this is a prime example of that. I would consider this one of the best episodes of Black Mirror to date. Paul Giamatti carries the load of this episode, delivering a polarizing performance of a man in the tail end of his life who remembers one of his greatest mistakes in a slow and painful way. There is no large twist but the revelations we find out at the end left me standing up clapping at the brilliance. I would highly recommend this episode to anybody who enjoys pure story mastery.
"Black Mirror" Episodes Ranked by IMDb Users
"Black Mirror" Episodes Ranked by IMDb Users
See how every episode (and one very unique movie) of this deliciously dark show stacks up, according to IMDb users.
Did you know
- TriviaThe "In Memoriam" section at the end of the credits for this episode lists 40 names, some sharing surnames with cast and crew members, suggesting the production invited personal submissions to honor lost loved ones. Included are Elena Giamatti, (Paul Giamatti's sister), Derek Brooker, (likely the father of creator Charlie Brooker, known to have died during post-production), Eileen Kinsella, (shares a surname with supervising producer Mark Kinsella), Jeff Sutton, (shares a surname with producer Louise Sutton), Andy Barrett, (shares a surname with director Christopher Barrett), and Lee Kirby, who shares a surname with music supervisor Mark Kirby. The list also includes Lance Reddick, the acclaimed actor who died in 2023, and Mark Found, a UK television sound professional. This memorial tribute fits the episode's themes of grief and remembrance, honoring real-world losses of the production team alongside a story centered on processing death and memory.
- GoofsAt 39.30, when Philly is reading the note that Carol left for him, the words she narrates are not entirely the same as what is in the note.
- ConnectionsReferences Friday the 13th (1980)
- SoundtracksThe Letter
Performed by Matthew Herbert
Details
- Runtime
- 46m
- Color
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content