This is perhaps my favourite tale of unease so far, not because it's flawless, but perhaps because it's the most interesting idea the show has had. It still doesn't clear up what the overall theme of the show is though.
Kayo Hathaway (Ray Dotrice) is the author of the wildly successful satirical comic strip about a fascist thug and his controlling mother. He reluctantly agrees to an interview with journalist Frank (Richard Pendrey) that takes place at his flat. Condescending and demeaning to Frank, Hathaway has control of the situation until Frank asks if his friend Dennis (Ian Trigger) can come up. The pair then turn the tables on Hathaway, who is in more danger than he realises.
Maybe it's just something about seeing the 70's on television, but I do associate it with real, visceral danger. This reminded me of "A Clockwork Orange", though its home invasion isn't the same, it's gut-wrenching helplessness against a physically stronger assailant is. Hathaway isn't a particularly sympathetic character, there are some elements of "gay panic" played up to in the writing, as he both flirts with and berates Frank, though of course he doesn't come close to deserving what happens to him. The antiwar and homosexuality themes would have already been explored by writer James Leo Herlihy in his novels "Midnight Cowboy" and "The Season of The Witch".
It feeds into a debate about whether it's an artist's intention, or the inspiration that's drawn from the art that is the most important thing. I would say it feels a bit too long, even at just 26 minutes, especially if you know where it's going, perhaps if it had been more of a mystery, it would have been a more shocking ending. The performances are good though, from all three actors. It doesn't get me any closer to really understanding what the overall series is actually about though, as there's no supernatural element to this one.
So far this is the only one I'd consider recommending to anyone else.
Kayo Hathaway (Ray Dotrice) is the author of the wildly successful satirical comic strip about a fascist thug and his controlling mother. He reluctantly agrees to an interview with journalist Frank (Richard Pendrey) that takes place at his flat. Condescending and demeaning to Frank, Hathaway has control of the situation until Frank asks if his friend Dennis (Ian Trigger) can come up. The pair then turn the tables on Hathaway, who is in more danger than he realises.
Maybe it's just something about seeing the 70's on television, but I do associate it with real, visceral danger. This reminded me of "A Clockwork Orange", though its home invasion isn't the same, it's gut-wrenching helplessness against a physically stronger assailant is. Hathaway isn't a particularly sympathetic character, there are some elements of "gay panic" played up to in the writing, as he both flirts with and berates Frank, though of course he doesn't come close to deserving what happens to him. The antiwar and homosexuality themes would have already been explored by writer James Leo Herlihy in his novels "Midnight Cowboy" and "The Season of The Witch".
It feeds into a debate about whether it's an artist's intention, or the inspiration that's drawn from the art that is the most important thing. I would say it feels a bit too long, even at just 26 minutes, especially if you know where it's going, perhaps if it had been more of a mystery, it would have been a more shocking ending. The performances are good though, from all three actors. It doesn't get me any closer to really understanding what the overall series is actually about though, as there's no supernatural element to this one.
So far this is the only one I'd consider recommending to anyone else.