We Should Talk About What Happened to Pia at the End of the 'Black Mirror' Episode "Loch Henry"
After a 4-year wait, the Netflix Powers That Be have finally gifted fans six new episodes of Black Mirror, and they're a doozy. In true Black Mirror fashion, the collection dives deep into the dark side of technology, and one of the most brutal finales is given to Pia (played by the superb Myha’la Herrold) in season 6 episode 2, "Loch Henry."
A short summary before we get into the gritty details: "Loch Henry" follows Pia and her boyfriend Davis (Samuel Blenkin), who are in Scotland to film a documentary. They choose to stop in Davis's hometown–Loch Henry, of course—in the countryside along the way.
While at Loch Henry's local pub, Davis's pal Stuart (Daniel Portman) tells Pia about a grisly serial killer who used to prey on the town named Iain Adair (Tom Crowhurst). Iain kidnapped and killed at least eight people in the '90s and was stopped when Davis's father Kenneth (Gregor Firth) investigated; Iain shot Kenneth in the shoulder before killing his own parents and then dying by suicide. Davis's dad Kenneth recovered at first but ultimately contracted MRSA and died, and Davis's mom Janet (Monica Dolan) holds Iain responsible.
Pia is immediately interested in the story and prefers to make it the focus of their documentary—as does Stuart, who hopes a hit would increase tourism and therefore $$ in the area—, setting a dark chain of events into motion. Here's what happens to Pia in the Black Mirror season 6 episode 2 "Loch Henry" ending.
Pia, Davis, and Stuart decide to pursue Iain's story for the documentary
And Davis's mom Janet is pretty supportive, even filming her own interview, but Stuart's dad (John Hannah) immediately disapproves of what they're doing.
After pitching a documentary to a production company called Historik, they are told it's not enough. They need more footage, so they head to the farmhouse where Iain would take his victims; the same farmhouse Kenneth confronted Iain in before each of their deaths.
What happens at the farmhouse?
Davis and Pia record new footage of the farmhouse over Davis's dad Kenneth's old Bergerac tapes (very old school) before Davis gets into a minor tractor accident, leaving Pia to shuffle through the tapes by herself back at his house.
Is Davis okay? What does Pia find on the tapes?
Davis is fine, but he needs to spend the night in the hospital. The real action takes place between Pia and Janet.
That day's footage runs out, and Pia begins to see the original film they were taping over: a video of Iain and Davis's parents, Kenneth and Janet, torturing and murdering a couple. Pia realizes they acted as a trio of killers, and she attempts to keep calm while in the house with Janet alone.
Does Janet realize Pia knows the truth?
It doesn't take Janet long to realize Pia knows what happened. Pia makes a run for it in the countryside with Janet chasing her and attempts to cross a river, but it's very dark and slippery. Despite outrunning Janet, Pia's foot catches; She plummets into the water and is killed after hitting her head on a rock.
Meanwhile at the hospital, Davis runs into Stuart's dad, who wants to speak with him. He confesses the truth about Janet and Kenneth to Davis; he had suspected their involvement with Iain after witnessing their odd behavior one night.
What does Janet do after Pia's death?
Janet does not actually know that Pia has died since Pia easily outran her. Thinking she will be turned in shortly, Janet goes back home, sets out proof of her and Kenneth's crimes, and writes a note to Davis before dying by suicide.
Does Davis realize what happened?
Yes, and there's a time jump to show it. Davis and Stuart's dad both participate in a documentary after all, which is a smash hit. In the flash-forward about the documentary's success, we learn that Kenneth is actually the person who murdered Iain and his family before shooting himself.
Where does this leave Davis?
Lonely and sad. The documentary—Loch Henry: Truth Will Out—wins a bunch of awards at the BAFTAs, but Davis is not the one accepting them nor does he seem to spearheading the project anymore; it's a Historik producer who gives the speeches, dedicating the trophies to Davis and the late Pia.
Stuart calls Davis later and is thrilled with Loch Henry's increased tourism, but Davis is left looking heartbroken alone in his hotel room.
All in all, "Loch Henry" is a very Blair Witch episode, both in the found footage segments and in Davis setting out to tell a story but ending up as its subject. You can watch the episode in full right this way on Netflix:
WATCH 'BLACK MIRROR' ON NETFLIX HERE
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