Episode 5 of Black Mirror's sixth season plunges us into the heart of northern England, a tapestry of 1979. Our heroine, Nida, a humble sales assistant, spends her days opening the store's doors, assisting customers, and striving to be the epitome of a dedicated employee.
However, Nida's day is often marred by Vicky, her overbearing colleague who bullies her into cutting her lunch short to attend to the rumors-shrouded Keith Holigan, a man whispered to have murdered his wife. She also grapples with the subtle undertones of racism, enduring suspicious stares from passersby and Vicky's disdain for Indian cuisine.
As protests swell in the streets, Michael Smart, a conservative MP, voices his concern about the impending change that threatens their neighborhood. And when he mentions the word 'threat', his gaze falls squarely on Nida. Adding insult to injury, someone spray-paints "NF" on her door, a symbol of the National Front, a radical group advocating the halt of immigration into the UK.
From then on, Nida retreats to the basement to consume her meals. Among the dusty newspaper clippings, she discovers a peculiar stone adorned with an enigmatic engraving. Intrigued, she pockets it along with other odds and ends, including a strange stone that whispers to her. Holding it tight, a demonic voice of Gaap echoes through the silence. It transpires that Nida has anointed the talisman with her blood, binding her fate to the entity. Shocked to the core, she learns of her daunting task: to execute three human sacrifices or face the apocalypse.
Gaap coerces Nida into accepting the challenge, and when she does, the demon materializes in her apartment. Despite his menacing presence, he transforms into a more palatable figure, resembling a singer from the famed Boney M group. Gaap reveals that they have until May Day to complete their macabre mission, else the world will be consumed by flames. Should she falter, the entire world stands to burn.
To halt this trend, they must execute one murder each day, specifically targeting humans, as animals are not sufficient. As the night falls heavily, Nida rushes out, stalking beneath a bridge where she brutally strikes a man with a brick. This action stems from his alleged abuse of his eight-year-old daughter, as Gaap vouches. This marks Gaap's maiden assignment, and he strives to reassure Nida that her deeds serve the greater good of humanity, and ultimately, herself.
Meanwhile, Officer Suzie diligently pursues the case of Tim's mysterious death, intent on uncovering the truth. Not long after, they discover Tim's lifeless body beneath the bridge, realizing he has fallen victim to a brutal killing. Nida's behavior becomes increasingly suspicious, particularly when Gaap shadows her to her workplace, attempting to prod her into finding her next target. However, Nida refuses to comply, instead heading home where Gaap shares news of the escalating nuclear tensions between Russia and the United States, adding a layer of urgency to the already tense situation.
Gaap, with a mischievous grin, urged Nida to venture out and gather some Dutch courage before embarking on her mission. He boasted about the numerous secrets harbored by the townsfolk, yet his second contender stood out: Keith Holigan, whose guilt Gaap affirmed. Nida stealthily trailed him, leaving the bustle of the pub, ultimately leading to Keith's shabby abode. Time was ticking, and with mere minutes left before midnight, Nida poised herself to strike.
Keith, sensing the imminent danger, pleaded his innocence, claiming he was a loving husband. But Nida's resolve was unwavering, and with a brutal blow, she silenced his pleas. However, her escape was cut short by Keith's roommate and brother, Chris, who she had to stab in the chest to evade detection.
Gaap, dialing the ominous number 666 to seek guidance from his dimension, learned a startling truth: Keith's death was void; murderers were immune to this ritual. They belonged to a different league, playing for a higher stake.
Nida's gaze shifted to her final target, initially Vicky, but then Michael Scott, the reprehensible MP, emerged as a more compelling option. He strutted into the department store, his arrogance met only by the praise of his boss, hailing Vicky as the store's jewel. This encounter swayed Nida's decision; Michael Scott, she decided, would be her next victim. His impending descent into hellish fame would wreak havoc, and Nida, within the rules, intended to prevent it. Gaap's apprehension over the other demons' reactions faltered as Nida resolutely made her choice. She even swapped her jacket for the red one, a symbolic gesture of her transformation into a new persona.
As for Suzie, she ventured to the second crime scene, where Keith and his brother awaited. This pivotal discovery propelled the police's investigation closer to unraveling Nida's involvement. The barmaid's testimony, recounting Nida's drunken ramblings and whiskey-fueled state, provided the detective Len with a compelling lead.
Upon Len's visit to Nida's doorstep, she presented a convincing narrative, yet Gaap, observing from afar, dismissed her words as hollow. He silently trailed her as she exited the town, a woman driven by an unyielding obsession.
Nida, in a frenzied pursuit, gave chase to Michael Scott, intent on forcing his car into a tree. As Scott's vehicle crashed, Nida drew her hammer and unleashed a brutal attack, raining blows upon his defenseless body. It was at this moment that Len intervened, halting her rampage.
Escorted to the police station, Nida recounted her narrative once again, but her words only amplified her apparent madness. As the clock struck midnight, air raid sirens pierced the silence, signaling the onset of nuclear war.
With officers scrambling to assess the situation, Gaap emerged from the shadows. Though banished to eternal oblivion, he sought Nida's companionship in this final hour. Nida, without hesitation, chose to join him, and as the world was engulfed in nuclear fire, Gaap and Nida disappeared into the abyss of eternity, hand in hand, united in their destiny.
