Black Mirror

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Art, regardless of how often we might dismiss it, remains subjective. However, anthologies such as Black Mirror exhibit an extraordinary level of subjectivity. Comparing someone’s opinion on the series to their feelings about 33 movies isn’t far-fetched; while some episodes are undeniably dark, others encompass a range of themes – from the absurd to the romantic, from terrifying to heartwarming, and everything in between. The seventh season of Black Mirror, with its wealth of ideas and diverse narratives, ensures that even the most divided fans will find at least a few exceptional episodes. Among the six episodes this time, there isn’t a single dud; two are nearly flawless, another is captivatingly delightful, and three are good.

In this new season, Black Mirror pays tribute to past successes with a return of Will Poulter’s Bandersnatch character and a follow-up to the popular USS Callister episode, both serving as nods to nostalgia. The show steers clear from delving into supernatural realms, which caused controversy in Season 6 when it strayed from its sci-fi roots. Moreover, many episodes share a recurring motif due to a mysterious brain chip called “Nubbin.” The advertising team has been releasing chilling ads related to this device to build anticipation.

The latest season of “Black Mirror” remains sharp-edged, with the premiere episode, “Common People,” being particularly distressing for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. However, the rest of the season steers clear from excessive misery and concludes on a surprisingly uplifting note – one of the most widely appealing resolutions the series has ever produced. As opinions can be fluid in the dynamic landscape of individual perspectives, I would recommend viewers to experience each episode for themselves and share my thoughts on their strengths and weaknesses.

Episode One: “Common People”

5 out of 5

The film “Common People” commences with a misleading charm, reminiscent of the most engaging episodes from “Black Mirror.” It features two charming actors who have graced recent sitcoms: Chris O’Dowd (from “The IT Crowd”) and Rashida Jones (of “Parks and Recreation”). This deliberate choice makes it even more agonizing to watch them endure intense hardship for the ensuing hour. However, it’s not just a bleak portrayal for the sake of it. “Common People” is skilfully crafted, demonstrating the strengths of “Black Mirror” – a thought-provoking examination of how technology and entertainment are manipulated by corporations, politicians, and other unsavory individuals to capitalize on our darkest impulses and reap profits from our misery.

The narrative focuses on a contented working-class duo, a school teacher and a construction worker, portrayed by O’Dowd and Jones. Despite their unassuming nature, they radiate happiness. The couple’s relationship is subtly humorous and filled with tender moments. Their deep affection for each other is apparent until Jones experiences a brain injury and falls into a coma. In search of a solution, O’Dowd agrees to an experimental procedure that replaces the damaged brain tissue with a computer system, which is stored on ‘the cloud.’ To keep this running, they must regularly pay a substantial fee to a questionable corporation. If Jones strays beyond a specific distance, the signal weakens, similar to poor cell phone reception.

The individual works extra hours to pay for the service, yet circumstances deteriorate. She resorts to sudden fainting spells to insert advertisements into conversations, disrupting natural flow to advertise products at opportune moments. To avoid ads, they must upgrade to a pricier service plan, pushing O’Dowd’s character to resort to unsavory acts for money. This dark portrayal of the modern work-streaming culture is unforgiving, but the charm of this couple persists.

“Bête Noire”

3 out of 5

In simpler terms, “Bête Noire” is an intriguing installment of the show “Black Mirror”. It has the potential to be a standalone feature film or a more extended episode, given the series’ capacity for longer narratives. The concepts presented are rich and could benefit from further examination. However, as we start to understand the plot, the episode concludes unexpectedly with a violent turn of events. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking blend of paranoia, playful Mandela effect references, multiverse theory, and high school-style bullying. Notably, Rosy McEwen delivers an impressive performance in this episode.

Maria (Siena Kelly) is a food scientist for a well-known candy company where a new assistant, Verity (McEwen), has joined the office. Verity appears to be timid and peculiar, which makes her stand out even more. Interestingly, Maria recognizes Verity from their school days; Maria was part of the popular crowd, while Verity was often bullied. As strange occurrences start affecting Maria’s memory and perception of reality, she begins to question whether Verity could be involved.

“Hotel Reverie”

3 out of 5

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that each season demands its own “San Junipero” gem, and this time around we’ve got “Hotel Reverie.” Regrettably, it’s an installment brimming with intriguing concepts (and characters) but one that seems to race through them without fully realizing their promise. Nevertheless, despite its flaws, it’s by no means a “poor” episode. Issa Rae, while a brilliant writer, might not have been the ideal fit for this role; she excels in writing but her acting prowess could be stretched with such material. Contrastingly, Emma Corrin shines, delivering a captivating performance and breathing life into her character with a sense of wonder and sorrow.

The film “Hotel Reverie” showcases a novel form of technology that reimagines classic films with artificial intelligence. This AI allows actual actors to step into the roles of old movies, creating a fresh version where they become part of the storyline. Imagine how fascinating it would be to see an updated version of “Rebel Without a Cause”, perhaps featuring Ryan Gosling as the Dean character.

However, the technical aspects may appear overly complex and somewhat implausible (due to hasty development), but Awkwafina brings plenty of humor to her portrayal of the ambitious CEO trying to make this groundbreaking concept a reality.

I’m thrilled to share that a remake of a timeless classic, often referred to as the “Grand Hotel” of our era, is underway. As a passionate admirer of this piece, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement when I think about it. In this new version, I step into the shoes of an actress, weary of the limited roles afforded to Black women in the industry. The film, titled “Hotel Reverie,” holds a special place in my heart, and the opportunity to reimagine it using cutting-edge technology is too enticing to pass up.

In this revamped tale, I find myself opposite Dorothy (played by Corrin), an actress whose life was marred by tragedy, ending prematurely shortly after the original film’s production. Interestingly, my character’s lackluster acting and inability to deviate from the script serve as the catalyst for a series of captivating complications in the AI-enhanced remake. Some might say this stiff performance is intentional, as it sets the stage for a intriguing exploration of the boundaries between reality and artifice.

“Plaything”

4 out of 5

Requesting Peter Capaldi, day in and day out would be ideal. With a long, untamed mane and an edgy demeanor, the actor from “Doctor Who” and “The Thick of It” shines as the modern-day Cameron Walker, a computer whiz who once critiqued video games professionally. There’s something off about him; he appears to have lost his marbles, deliberately getting himself arrested, but it turns out that he’s wanted for an old murder case from years ago. The narrative structure cleverly employs his interrogation as a framework, where he recounts his extraordinary tale, making for a captivating watch.

If video games are involved, Tuckersoft is always present. Indeed, “Plaything” evokes nostalgia for the glory days of Tuckersoft and momentarily resurrects characters such as Mohan Tucker (Asim Chaudry) and Colin Ritman (Will Poulter) from the Bandersnatch series. Colin presents Cameron with a game he wants him to critique, although it’s not intended for play in a traditional sense. It’s more of an early prototype for future farming and breeding simulations like Harvest Moon, but with a basic concept of nurturing 8-bit creatures that look identical. However, when Cameron takes LSD, he believes the creatures are communicating with him and asking him to perform certain actions.

This work doesn’t delve deeply into sociopolitical issues, yet it presents a chilling portrayal of human brutality and our constant yearning for purpose. Remarkably, it echoes the collective consciousness mindset often depicted in Borg or Body Snatchers narratives. Moreover, it boasts an exceptional conclusion and offers an enjoyable experience, much like listening to a captivating tale around a (digital) campfire.

“Eulogy”

3 out of 5

In the minimalist episode ‘Eulogy’ of Black Mirror, simplicity serves as both a virtue and a drawback. With only two human characters, one AI character, and a single location, it is compact but visually striking. Directors Chris Barrett and Luke Taylor masterfully use this confined space to transport the characters into frozen memories, giving the illusion of wearing a VR headset and delving into the protagonist’s subconscious. The execution is superb, yet the episode can seem underwhelming and insignificant in numerous aspects.

In a different setting, we meet an older, somewhat cranky gentleman residing in a region reminiscent of Maine. He learns about the demise of a woman he had known previously, prompting her daughter to construct a touching eulogy using a unique service that amalgamates memories for a heartfelt presentation. Assisting him is an AI ‘guide’, who helps him unearth these long-forgotten recollections, shrouded by the emotional debris within his mind. They employ photographs as reminders to help him recall their shared past, and thus, “Eulogy” unfolds the narrative of this man’s relationship with the deceased woman, shedding light on his personal flaws and cognitive prejudices throughout the process.

“USS Callister: Into Infinity”

5 out of 5

USS Callister: Journey to Eternity” – This is an extended version of the popular Season 4 episode, “USS Callister,” and it truly delivers on its promise. The story continues a few months after the events in “USS Callister,” following the demise of Robert Daly, creator of the massive online game called Infinity. Daly’s digital copies, or his office workers, are still ensnared within this game, where they remain alive – players can inflict harm without feeling it, and perish only to respawn; however, the crew of USS Callister suffer wounds that do not heal and death that is permanent.

The challenges in the game “Infinity” intensify as players face escalating costs for gameplay, exacerbated by in-game purchases. While some gamers opt to buy additional credits, the non-player characters (NPCs) in this game, who are essentially trapped inside it and have no user identification, must resort to strategies akin to raiding other players and stealing their credits to survive. As they remain untraceable due to their lack of user tags, they can be likened to MMORPG pirates. However, their situation grows increasingly dire as the game’s owner, Walton, seeks to eliminate them in order to protect his profitable creation.

USS Callister: Endlessly Expanding Space”

The episode “USS Callister: Into Infinity” is a full-length production, yet it maintains an impressive pace and script, ensuring events unfold smoothly without causing undue confusion or overwhelming the viewer. The returning cast delivers exceptional performances this time around. Cristin Milioti as Nanette Cole, Jimmi Simpson as Walton, Billy Magnussen as Karl/Valdack, Milanka Brooks as Elena Tulaska, Osy Ikhile as Nate Packer, and Paul G. Raymond as Kabir Dudani all shine in their roles. It’s been over seven years since we last saw them, and many of the actors have achieved greater fame since then, making it a delightful surprise to see them donning quirky Star Trek-like uniforms once more. Milioti, in particular, demonstrates her status as one of the most captivating actors of the past ten years.

This episode is just as entertaining and charming as “Black Mirror” has ever been, yet it doesn’t falter in its criticism of corporate greed, gamers, and “nice guys.” It’s a remarkable parody that flawlessly embodies the subject matter it’s mocking, and ends the season in a way completely unlike its beginning. That’s the versatility of “Black Mirror,” folks.

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2025-04-10 10:03