by Dexter Morales
Do you think that technology has a stranglehold on you and your life? Well Black Mirror, created by Charlie Brooker, a science fiction anthology series streaming on Netflix will help you answer that question. From the moment I first heard about this show, I knew a few topics such as technology, humanity, personal choice, science fiction, and dystopian driven worlds. Every episode is set to take you on a new journey that will force you to question what is right and wrong.
Let’s just start by saying, “I know I’m behind on this one.” All I knew going into this show was that it has some Twilight Zone vibes, and that comparison feels immediately apt. The brilliance of this series lies in its setup: each episode functions as a standalone story, offering a fresh and often unsettling perspective. There are no huge overarching plot lines to follow, allowing viewers to jump in anywhere. The powerful thread that ties it all together is the chilling exploration of technology and its impact on humanity – our vulnerabilities, our desires, and our potential downfalls. When I first heard this concept, it sounded perfect for my viewing habits. I don’t always have large chunks of time for television, and committing to lengthy seasons can be a challenge. So, having each episode deliver a complete narrative is something I can definitely appreciate every now and again. Every episode in the season will have you questioning many different situations if put in various situations.
Episode One: “The National Anthem”
How much is another human’s life worth, particularly when the price of saving it is your own dignity? Talk about a jarring and unforgettable way to kick off a series – no pun intended, considering the episode’s disturbing premise. “The National Anthem” throws us headfirst into a horrifying scenario: Princess Susannah, a beloved member of the royal family, is kidnapped and will only be released upon the kidnapper’s deeply specific and humiliating demands. Details I would hate to spoil for anyone venturing into this dark world for the first time. However, the unimaginable burden of saving the young woman falls squarely on the shoulders of Prime Minister Michael Callow. What’s so gripping about this episode is the relentless escalation. Every time you think a solution might be within reach for this man, the situation twists, and his efforts fall short in increasingly agonizing ways. The raw and often appalling reaction of the public is what truly had me on the edge of my seat. It’s a stark and unsettling depiction of how quickly and intensely people can react, especially when the pressure and consequences seem to fall on someone else. You will undoubtedly walk away from this episode questioning the nature of public opinion and the often-performative aspects of collective emotion.
Episode Two: “Fifteen Million Merits”
Is the grass always greener on the other side, or is it just a different shade of artificial turf? After witnessing the bleak reality depicted in “Fifteen Million Merits,” I don’t think anyone could sincerely tell me to “touch some grass.” The fundamental principle of this episode’s world is that citizens, upon turning 21 (a detail implied in a cafeteria conversation between Bing and Abi), must relentlessly cycle on exercise bikes daily to earn “merits,” which serve as their sole form of currency. This fuels a consumerist society built on virtual avatars and fleeting entertainment. However, what’s truly unsettling is the vast amount of this world left deliberately vague, fueling a sense of unease. What truly happens to the “unfit” individuals in the yellow outfits when they can no longer contribute to the merit-generating machine? While trapped in their monotonous routine, the populace is constantly bombarded with vapid reality television, offering a hollow escape from their endless cycling. Bing, a jaded inhabitant, sees genuine potential in a new arrival, Abi, and makes a desperate attempt to help her break free from this soul-crushing existence. This episode brilliantly explores themes of social stratification, the commodification of human potential, and the seductive yet ultimately empty promises of manufactured entertainment.
Episode Three: “The Entire History of You”
What happens when the ever-present eye scrutinizing your life is your own, capable of replaying every moment with perfect clarity? “The Entire History of You” serves as a potent warning: perhaps some memories are best left slightly blurred. In this technologically advanced yet emotionally raw world, people possess an implant called a “grain” that meticulously records everything they see and hear. It’s the ultimate, searchable, and shareable life archive. However, the episode chillingly explores whether having constant access to every second of your past is truly a blessing or a curse, particularly within intimate relationships. Liam is the central figure in this unsettling narrative, and from the outset, it’s clear that the grain fuels his anxieties and insecurities. He’s depicted as someone already prone to dwelling on past interactions. Therefore, it’s almost inevitable that when suspicion creeps into his relationship, his immediate reaction is to obsessively dissect and replay past footage, searching for hidden meanings and perceived betrayals. The episode masterfully portrays how this constant self-surveillance and the ability to meticulously analyze past interactions can erode trust, amplify paranoia, and ultimately dismantle relationships. Will Liam’s relentless review of the past bring him the clarity he seeks, or will it only lead to further stress, discomfort, and the painful unraveling of his present?
Presentation
While there was nothing I would say that stood out to me in the production value of the show. I would not say that this is something that should be seen as a negative in any way. Each episode does a great job of making the viewer feel like they are in the shoes of each character. So, the frantic and gritty style that is used in the show is a good companion to the narrative. There are times when we get some sweating up and up close and personal shots in episode one, lots of flashing screens and intrusive vibes in episode 2, and episode 3 feels like a depressing set of home videos. The style is not universal and that is what I mean most when I say the production value didn’t add much, there was nothing flashy and over the top to distract you. It feels as if they are trying to keep the stories as grounded in the real world as possible. That way the viewer is always easily suspended in disbelief as to what is happening in front of them.
Conclusion
The title Black Mirror makes me think about a scrying mirror. Scrying is a word that means to peer into or to see “beyond” as I like to say. So when you paint a mirror black with a reflective mirror it becomes a scrying mirror. The show is reflective in this comparison because it allows the viewers to see what life might be like if a few minor things changed or happened. The reason a show like this feels so tense is because it presents itself as something that is possible. It is not like The Twilight Zone where the stories are situations that were very improbable. However, from “The National Anthem” the show wants you to know that all of these situations can be possible. Some of the episodes are more advanced than our current technology, but the tech show is not something that feels impossible to see around in the next one hundred years or so. For example, in “The National Anthem” the only technology used in that episode was a broadcast tv and the power of word of mouth on the Internet. “The Entire History of You” is something that people do now with their phones. People have the power to record any and everything they way. This is becoming much easier with the addition of smart glass like the ones made by Meta. We might not believe in the power technology has in our daily lives, but this show will make you think about adding more complex pieces of technology in your routines.
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