Crocodile

One of the darkest black mirror episodes I've seen, this one explores the spiralling depths someone is capable of in order to protect a secret and a way of life.

It left me with a very dark, uncomfortable feeling at the end, but well worth the watch.

Season 4 started off ok with USS Calliper. It didn't feel like Black Mirror as much as it did just another sci-fi flick though unfortunately. Episode two was a definite step in the right direction, and was overall fantastic. Crocodile, however, hurt to watch towards the end. I literally found myself sitting up in my chair and saying , "No. Please, they can't do this." It made me physically uneasy afterwards. And that, right there, is what I wanted from this show. We see a woman slowly throw out all morality in an effort to keep her name clean. What made this harder to watch was the fact that her actions are more than likely not too far off from what could actually happen in real life. This is one of my favorite episodes of Black Mirror so far, and I hope they put out more content like this, as terrible as that sounds.

The first two from series four have been very good, quality episodes, but this one puts Black Mirror firmly back at the top of the drama genre, this particular episode is unlike anything else I've ever seen. The story is mind blowing, and the delivery is sublime. Massive plaudits for every cast member, in particular Andrea Risborough, she is nothing else but spellbinding, an incredible performance from her. The ending was almost unwatchable, tragic and harrowing, delivered in a way that ties all parts of the plot together, all the minor incidents fit together nicely. Incredible, 10/10

The third episode in the fourth season of Black Mirror was Crocodile; it is an episode that shows the budget and scale that the show now has in its locations. Throughout the episode the selection and use of locations is impressive in the beauty of the Nordic landscape and even the use of interiors and specific places. Read any professional and amateur review and you'll find they all praise this. Part of the reason for that is that it is true, but the other reason is that the episode is unfortunately sufficiently lacking that this single aspect stands head and shoulders above the others.

In terms of technology and darkness, the episode has both - which is usually the core of these episodes working. In this case though, the technology is used to setup the scenario but there isn't really a feedback loop onto the technology as it is in the episode, and as it connects to us now. This lack of connection to the device weakens the episode, but what makes it not work is that the darkness is so pointlessly bleak, and the lead character seems single-minded without any hook for the viewer to try to connect to her actions or feelings. Instead we see characters murdered without involvement - only watching. It is surprisingly dull in this regard, and is pretty disappointing in all ways apart from the scenery.

I am amazed at the negative reviews; this is a train wreck episode and I mean that in a good way. It is compelling television- The twist is not something you would expect and maybe some of these haters just didn't like it- The setting in Iceland is stark and it is a brutal story. Brilliant.