Loch Henry

I'm actually considering cancelling my Netflix membership and signing up with Streamberry, it's that good! In reading some of the review complaints about this episode not being in line with Black Mirror's recognizable sci-fi/tech themes, yes, this isn't per se, but because the film is dated, the technology is at best VHS tapes. Still, not the usual near-future dystopia with sci-fi technology, but nevertheless a Hitchcockian theme every now and then is a refreshing change, because change is good. The previous episode was based on tech, so this one was certainly a welcome entry. All casting and performances were excellent, as was the cinematography and score, and although it starts off a little slowly paced, trust me, the wait is worth it by the third act. Compared to the previous two seasons, I can say so far, Black Mirror is back with flying colors. A near perfect 9/10 from me for this little suspenseful gem.

Evidently, creator Charlie Brooker's turned his existential anxiety inwards for this latest batch of episodes (immediately solidifying the installment as one of the most creatively audacious seasons since its inception) & so rather than expressing worry about the exterior world around him, he's inventively found a way to evolve "Black Mirror" in to something far more introspective so it's able to perfectly communicate his justifiable concerns regarding the cynicism of the content he's expected to continually make for prospective audiences in the film / TV industries.

It's a valid point, well made (in his defence) - considering the constant production of macabre material does likely contribute to societies' gradual desensitisation to inconsolable misery (something we should understandably never become accustomed to, for good reason, nor witness as frequently as we do, on screen) & therefore, I appreciate the self-aware, emotional maturity shown - in acknowledging the inadvertent detrimental consequences to feeding a particular (arguably unethical) demand, for the sole purpose of commodification & profit in a dystopian system that wrongly rewards those acts of inconsiderate selfishness.

Plus, rather than attempting to wondrously predict the future (admittedly, a reliable foresight which has transformed in to a bit of a gimmick, these days), it's also refreshing to see the executive producer gift us with something new, reflectively looking back at his own legacy with hindsight instead - to question if the price paid for success has truly been worth it.

We don't normally get that hesitation in response to mean-spiritedness... Though as this asks; maybe we should?

Hence, with "Loch Henry", he & director Sam Miller dig deep, using one genre we heavily tend to associate with controversy as a basis on which to form their argument (acting as a general example of the well-intentioned, indulging in immorality), delivering a scathing commentary, analysing the theoretically senseless damage done to every-day people by the commercialisation of exploitative true crime documentaries - in easily one of the darkest, most disturbing features ever included in the show.

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 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.

I much prefer this episode over the first. It hits all of the things Black Mirror does best: Realistic settings with realistic characters exploring some morally gray subjects with technology at the base of it. It's classic Black Mirror. This episode also has a whole lot more character in its cinematography and editing. Unfortunately I think it is slightly predictable, especially in how some of the actors portray their roles. But the story is still told and acted well, despite some predictably. I do hope the rest of the season stays at this level of quality, but this was really needed after the slop that was episode one.