Currently on Netflix: Season 1-2 (each season is 3 episodes)
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Black Mirror takes a look at the darker side of humanity often through the lens of technology. Each episode is a distinct situation with a new cast of characters and actors.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Because of the anthological nature of the series, each episode has a new set of characters. But a similar theme within each episode is the absolute worst of humanity, so the cast of characters can be described as different types of people. Due to the ever changing character line-up this post will have an added section…
EPISODES
Black Mirror has a very bleak, but eye-opening look at the humanity. So far its episodes have been…
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM – The Prime Minister of the U.K. is forced to choose between his morality and dignity and the life of a beloved public figure
FIFTEEN MILLION MERITS – In a world where you earn credits by exercising, a forlorn citizens starts to question the system
THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF YOU – Through devices called “grains,” everyone who has theirs implanted has their every moment recorded and can go back and re-watch as often as they want.
BE RIGHT BACK – A company provides a service where they go through a deceased loved ones online fingerprint in order to re-create their personality. This allows friends and family to interact with the re-created self through email, phone calls, texts and more.
WHITE BEAR – A woman wakes up confused and with no recollection of who she is to a world where a majority of the world has become mere bystanders and the remaining few are either victims or prey.
THE WALDO MOMENT – A failed comedian voices a crass cartoon bear who manages to make his way onto the political ballot. The big problem is Waldo creates chaos for chaos’ sake.
WHITE CHRISTMAS (CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, not on Netflix) – Set in four parts, this episode deals with a multitude of issues. People have the ability to literally “block” people in day to day life. When a person is blocked they can no longer communicate with the other person. They are physically unable to (it’s the ultimate restraining order). There is also the ability to create a second consciousness of yourself and this “being,” “person,” “thing” has all your memories, habits, etc. It’s you and it’s not you.
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH
Black Mirror really gets at the dark heart of things. It is very often uncomfortable and extremely saddening, but it’s the type of television that, while being a downer, keeps you on the edge. Season 3 looks to be on the horizon, but my be premiering on Netflix as opposed to Channel 4. There has also been development on a U.S. adaption. Black Mirror breaks away from the typical structure of an anthology and does its own thing. It gets the viewer thinking about where we could end up (in the near or far future) as a people if we aren’t careful.