Cut the cord… are we human? Nera, a heavily pregnant woman isolated in a violent snow-storm, struggles with some unexpected aspects of motherhood.

Nicole Beharie’s compelling performance in this short instalment is almost free of dialogue for half the episode, but we get a clear picture that she is one tough cookie, womaning-up (just like manning-up but with a higher pain threshold) to face the challenge of childbirth alone.

The other clues are there… her gynaecologist referring to ‘programming’ in relation to what we learn is premature labour… some sinister-sounding wording on supplements in the fridge… but that’s not the strangest thing.

A mother’s love is unconditional, but how instant is the bond that begets that love? Nera’s son, Jacob, ages rapidly every time he is off camera and a voicemail from her gynaecologist – disrupted by static at some key moments – contains a warning. Who is the danger, and who needs protection?

The tension could be cut by either of the knives wielded by Nera and Jacob as we hear why she chose to become a mother in this unorthodox way, and why she seems to be so adept at coping on her own. As soon as there is a perceived threat from outside, Nera chooses to stand by her unique child – and that’s where we leave them. I’m left a little cold by this tale as the denouement lacks the punch of previous episodes, and I’m struggling to gat a handle on the moral of the story. Perhaps all that means is I should never be a mother! There’s a silver lining though – at least she didn’t have to change any nappies.

Verdict: What if designing your baby goes horribly wrong? I’m not sure we get a well thought out answer to that in a tense but less satisfying episode. 6/10

Claire Smith