Why did Janet try to kill Pia?
A closer look at the second episode of season six of Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror, "Loch Henry," gives us a chance to explore one of the most chilling and tragic sequences in the show's history - the discovery of Janet's murderous past and her haunting response to it. As we delve deeper into the unsettling labyrinth of this episode, we inevitably face a shocking revelation about Janet, played brilliantly by Monica Dolan, whose seemingly ordinary exterior conceals a nefarious past.
In the twisted world of Loch Henry, Pia (Myha’la Herrold) and her boyfriend Davis (Samuel Blenkin), both young filmmakers, visit Davis’ mother Janet in the small, sleepy Scottish town of Loch Henry. Their original intent is to make a documentary about an egg-protecting vigilante, but soon their focus shifts to the macabre history of the town, particularly the sinister deeds of Iain Adair, a local man who was known for abducting and killing people.
During their investigation, Pia stumbles upon a startling truth. While digitizing old footage, she discovers a video recording of Janet, her partner Kenneth, and Iain Adair torturing Dawn and Simon Challis, the infamous missing couple from 1997. To Pia's horror, Janet is even wearing a distinctive red cabaret mask that she has hanging on her wall.
In a heart-stopping scene, Pia manages to sit across the dinner table from Janet after the horrifying discovery, fighting against her instinct to flee. However, the fear soon overpowers her, and she makes an escape attempt, but in the process, she tragically dies, hitting her head on a rock and being swept away by the river.
The discovery of her murderous past by Pia and the latter's subsequent death mark a turning point for Janet. It's as if the walls of the past, once tightly sealed, have been breached. This not only exposes her darkest secrets but also forces her to confront the atrocities she once participated in.
Janet's reaction is undeniably shocking, yet it carries an air of tragic inevitability. Once she realizes what Pia has uncovered, Janet does not attempt to deny or cover up her actions further. Instead, she prepares a collection of evidence that includes tapes, photos, journals, and other memorabilia from her murderous past.
She leaves this chilling compilation for her son, Davis, with a note that reads, “For your films”. It's a chilling, stark moment that reveals Janet's willingness to confront her past, even if it means tearing her family apart. However, it’s not a confession born out of guilt or remorse, but rather an admission of her actions delivered in the cold, detached manner that is so characteristic of her.
The culmination of Janet's reaction is her decision to end her own life. The scene where she hangs herself while wearing the same red cabaret mask from the tape is undeniably one of the most haunting and powerful images from the episode. This final act not only marks Janet's surrender to her haunted past but also serves as a grim reminder of the heinous acts she was a part of.
Janet's reaction to her unveiled past is a reflection of the internal turmoil she experiences. It is an acknowledgment of her monstrous deeds and her ultimate acceptance of the irredeemable. Her decision to commit suicide while wearing the mask signifies a final embrace of her sinister alter-ego, a symbolic merging of the two identities she had kept separate for so long.
In the unsettling universe of Black Mirror, Loch Henry stands out as an episode of profound tragedy and disturbing revelations. Janet's reaction to Pia's discovery paints a chilling portrait of a woman who must confront her dark past, ultimately leading to her self-destruction. It serves as a grim reminder of the power of secrets, and the devastating effects they can have when brought to light.
