Ep 3. Black Stockings

In the third episode of Lore season 1, viewers are taken back to the 19th century in Dublin, Ireland, where the fearful tale of "Black Stockings" unfolds. The episode begins with a narration that sets the tone of the story while a woman's voice sings a haunting melody in the background. Black stockings were once the fashion statement of rich, upper-class women in Ireland. However, a sinister twist was added to this item of clothing when a truly bizarre and horrifying murder case shook the city to its core.

The episode narrates how men in Dublin, during the Victorian era, indulged in a spree of violence against women of all classes. Out of fear, several women began wearing black stockings as a bold expression of solidarity, and to mourn those who had succumbed to this brutal violence. This episode is based on one such horrific incident that took place in Dublin in 1856, where a young woman named Bridget Larkin was assaulted and brutally murdered, with her stockings being the only clue to the crime.

The episode of Lore season 1, Black Stockings, is an eye-opener, revealing how ineffective and biased the justice system was in the 1800s. It illustrates how the victim’s social status, her relationships, and the whims of the church authorities often influenced the justice system, shrouding the truth behind a veil of lies. Bridget Larkin was found dead, face down in a pool of her own blood, with her throat slashed and her body violated. The case was handed over to the church authorities who failed to come up with a conclusive decision on who the perpetrator could have been. Eventually, the case was given to the civil authorities who handled it aptly and brought the murderer to justice.

The episode also draws upon the superstitious nature of Irish people in the 1800s, particularly their belief in the supernatural. When the magistrate investigated Bridget's murder, the suspicion fell upon her husband, a man who was known to be rather superstitious himself. As the investigation progressed, the husband's occasional outbursts and the strange happenings around him only strengthened the belief that he was responsible for Bridget's death.

The episode successfully captures the backdrop of Ireland during the mid-1800s, including the social and political landscape, the living conditions of the people, and the various festivals and customs that characterized Irish culture. It uses a mix of live-action shots and some expertly executed animation sequences, which adds to the overall impact of the narration. The visuals are well-executed, the music is haunting, and the background score creates an immersive atmosphere that transports the viewer right into the story.

Additionally, the episode also showcases the true brutality of the crime and the anguish it caused not only to the victim's loved ones but also to the entire country. Bridget's murder was not just a case of violence against a single woman but rather it represented the systemic misogyny that was prevalent in Irish society during that period. The episode manages to strike a cord with viewers, highlighting how despite the passage of time, and the apparent progress we have made, the underlying biases and prejudices continue to fester in our society.

Overall, the Lore season 1 episode, Black Stockings, is an engrossing and thought-provoking episode that is expertly crafted. It is a chilling reminder of how vulnerable we are to becoming victims of circumstances, and how the search for justice is often derailed by societal biases and systemic injustice. The show is not just a collection of horror stories but a keen observation of the human psyche and how the society we live in tends to define and shape our behaviour. This is a must-watch episode for fans of the horror genre and those looking for a gripping and thought-provoking story.