The fear of technology, or what some have called technophobia, has been a favorite theme in science fiction. Movies and television have taken the obvious route often, such as robots killing humans, artificial intelligence running amok.
Black Mirror takes the theme in a different direction. The advanced technology featured in the series is often frightening, but the source of these threats is always human. The show brilliantly (And often cynically) examines how our steadily advancing tech brings out the worst in us.
The first season of Black Mirror is a perfect entry point for anyone looking to binge the series. Only three episodes long, the season encapsulates the dark and cynical look at humanity and its advanced “toys.” The season features the show’s strengths, as well as its weaknesses. But overall, the first season of Black Mirror is something any science fiction fan should see.
The National Anthem
This is the perfect entry point for any new viewer. When Prime Minister Michael Callow (Rory Kinnear) is forced to do the unthinkable after an adored member of the Royal Family is abducted, we see the ugly, voyeuristic side of society come out. The seemingly sick joke escalates as the government underestimates the power of social media and its constant presence.
The shortest episode of any in Black Mirror’s, The National Anthem features that cynical and often sadistic attitude that the series takes. Creator Charlie Brooker’s script slowly builds on its crazy premise, a Prime Minister forced to have sex with a pig on national television, without holding back. The way the people turn against Callow is a little unbelievable, as it seemingly speaks to humanity’s natural inability to turn away from a trainwreck. But with social media turning on public figures at the drop of a hat, it’s not that unbelievable. And the final reveal at the end is truly heartbreaking. That said, the episode is somewhat forgetable outside of its outlandish premise.
Kinnear is excellent as the slowly deteriorating Callow. You truly feel for the man as his world seemingly collapses around him. The other performances are either comically broad (Patrick Kennedy’s Section Chief Walker) or sleepily boring (Lindsay Duncan’s Alex Cairns). Kinnear’s performance holds this episode together.
SCORE: 7 OUT OF 10
Fifteen Million Merits
This episode shows just how well Black Mirror can build a dystopian future, but also how it often falters narratively when it does that meticulous building. We follow Bing (Daniel Kaluuya) in a world where everyone rides exercise bikes to earn credits, which are spent on inane consumer products. When Bing meets aspiring singer Abi (Jessica Brown Findlay), he tries to make her dreams come true with tragic results.
Writers Brooker and Konnie Huq create a disturbing world where people seemingly exist as cogs in a machine for some unknown power. Everything must be bought and media surrounds everyone at all times. Even ads can’t be skipped without a fee. Because people can exist as anonymous avatars, media has become ugly and mean spirited. It’s an interesting take on rampant consumerism and the ugliness of social media anonymity.
However, Fifteen Million Merits is never clear about what it is building towards. Bing sleepwalks through his life and the episode snoozes along with him at times. This may have been an artistic choice on the part of the the creators, mirroring Bing’s hum drum existence, but it doesn’t make for compelling viewing. It seems complicated for complication’s sake, an unfortunate trait that rears its head in later seasons. When the episode does get to its pay off, the moment is powerful, but an ultimate missed opportunity. And the muddled set up is the culprit.
Kaluuya is excellent as Bing, going from a sad cog in the machine to a determined and angry man looking to expose the world. He gets a great monologue towards the end of the episode. Findlay is solid as the free spirited but innocent Abi. But she becomes something of a prop later on, and virtually disappears in the final moments. Finally, Rupert Everett is wonderfully smarmy as the host of a sadistic talent show.
SCORE: 7.5 OUT OF 10
The Entire History of You
It may sound obvious, but sometimes a story is best when it keeps things simple. Black Mirror is the perfect example of this, as its best episodes are often the ones that have a simple premise. The Entire History of You is just that. Liam (Toby Kebbell) is a business man with a beautiful wife Ffion (Jodie Whittaker) and child. However, his rampant feelings of inadequacy and jealousy are exacerbated by an implant that allows him to record every interaction. He slowly drives himself crazy as he relives every perceived slight, real and imagined.
Everyone wants to be right or capture their most cherished memories in vivid detail, so a video implant may seem like a good idea. But in the hands of a man like Liam, abuse is always a possibility. There are always secrets in relationships, ones that even the most dedicated lovers keep from each other not out of malice, but because its better not to know them.
Kebbell and Whittaker are excellent as the two leads, though the former owns the episode. Liam becomes more and more unhinged as more truths are revealed to him via his implant. His ugly jealousy makes him unlikeable, but Kebbell’s performance is so compelling it’s hard not to watch. Whittaker’s performance relies more on looks and heartbreaking emotion, and she pulls that off well.
The premise is simple and keeps the focus on the people at its center rather than its technology. This is the strongest episode of the first season because it is a human drama. And it features one of the most emotionally powerful endings in the series.
SCORE: 9 OUT OF 10
Entry Point
Black Mirror’s first season starts out solidly and finishes with a strong, emotional bang. While the first two episodes have their moments, they also showcase problems that the show would continue to have in later seasons: Overcomplicated worlds and overly sadistic cynicism. But it ends with one of the stronger episodes in the show.
If you can get through this season, the rest of Black Mirror is going to be right up your alley.
SEASON SCORE: 7.8 OUT OF 10