It has been clear for two years that this show does not want to be about surprise endings anymore. In order to please the fans, who are expecting some kind of shocking reveal, they have to be incredibly innovative, and for me this one is among their very best.
This episode isn't trying to shock you with a twist even though I'm sure many people will be shocked by it. Especially because of past episodes of the series, it's reasonable to expect the story will take a different direction. The escape room that serves as the setting of the vast majority of the episode, feels far too personal for the father. He's clearly taking the experience of bonding with his family much more seriously than they are. The recurring dialogue between his daughters and wife, show you that this story will somehow will be about finding the strength to move on. It touches on one of the absolute most distressing idea (our mortality). And it repeatedly asks us whether or not we are in control, or what "control" even means. Even after re-watching at least half of it, I can only speculate on what some of the details thrown in there meant. Which is what gives this installment not only such high replay value, but also provides a much more serious, and difficult to answer series of questions that you'll be left with long after the credits roll
There is a very clear homage, in my opinion, to the Alfred Hitchcock presents episode Breakdown. But unlike the Hitchcock story, it allows you to join in, searching along for the clues and playing the game alongside the family despite understanding that you don't know exactly what's in play here. I am certain that the ending will leave a lot of fans of the show feeling annoyed. Maybe it's because of my lifelong love of the Hitchcock presents series, or a general appreciation of the gravity of the issues. I thought the ending was perfect. There is a constant existential terror of what death means. When subjective experience is taken away from us or we lose it naturally. Do we have the ability to watch? And who should make that choice when there is no easy answer
Massive props to the duo for writing this one and pulling it off. After being very critical of nearly half the last season, I agree now more than ever that series 8 was an attempt to outdo themselves, and they failed. So far series 9 is crushing expectations. This was an understated brilliant effort that should be applauded. It really did get me thinking about the incredible and beautiful reality of the subjective experience, and who I hope to share that gift with. A well earned 9 / 10.