Morgan Cormack

At just six episodes, things move at such a heady pace that you can't help but be impressed at all the charisma, charm and plot development that is crammed into each 25-minute instalment. While many may think this is just a comedy about the churn of the media mill that pokes fun at Bond, Bait is so much more than you may think – and it's a wonderful surprise to watch it all unfold.

Reynolds is a force to be reckoned with here – bringing humour, light, hope and heartbreak to every episode. With less screen time than Reynolds, it's hard for Blethyn to embody all of that to a similar degree but in the final moments of the series, she does come into her own a bit more as the story takes some soapy turns.

The season ends on a note that tees up a potential sequel, but with these six episodes proving to such an unsatisfying watch, I'll be plain: there really is no need for any more.

Is it a joy to watch something that doesn't revolve around police stations and crime fighting? Most definitely. But when a series like this is blending rich characterisation, fiction, real life history and topical themes, sometimes a focus on a select few rather than a host of multiple over-lapping stories is for the best.

Hostage is surely a good time – it's a series that is entertaining, has some fine performances, is slightly surprising in parts and fits the binge-watch model perfectly. It just won't be one that you'll likely remember after watching.

Whether you'll be left thinking about Blood of my Blood loads after watching remains to be seen, because it's not exactly doing anything we're not already familiar with. But with one story filled with stolen glances and illicit moments, and the other much like a cat-and-mouse game of hide and seek, the series has all the makings of keeping us on our toes.

A testament to everyone involved, season 7 is home to instant classics aplenty that you'll want to devour in no time at all and will stand the test of time, standing tall against many of Black Mirror's episodic greats from seasons past.

Like any series, there are dips and flows to be had, but inevitably things ricochet towards quite the roller coaster of final episodes that are worth sticking with the show for.

It's trying to dig into cancel culture, sexism, social media and #MeToo, but does it manage to succinctly pose and answer any of the questions it raises in its four episodes? In some ways, yes and in others, it's such a vast breadth of subjective material that there will be plenty of people (including this writer) who would want the series to go that step further.

Making it to the end episode is something that you sort of do out of obligation here, and while that finale does throw up some great moments, you can't help but feel that The Madness would've been the perfect thriller had it been condensed to five or six episodes.