Why Black Mirror?
This series imagines what our world and lives (what humanity) might become given access to particular (likely) kinds of media and technology.
A lot of Black Mirror episodes are narratives we have seen before; however, what this series does is it imagines the near future technology and media that could fundamentally alter those narratives and how they play out.
The series deals in large part with human relationships, with romantic relationships – people lusting, people obsessing, people manipulating, people falling in love, people having sex, people falling out of love, people fighting, people reconciling. Those stories are oft-written.
But what this series does differently is it imagines how those acts and actions and relationships might change given very specific technologies like true virtual reality; algorithms that calculate relationship expiration dates; implants that make it possible to save and play back every second of every interaction; hardware and software that make it possible to recreate a human entity using their online presence; software/implants that could block you from seeing other peoples' real faces IRL; software that can expand time infinitely; implants that allow you to control what your child sees and hears. The series seems to propose that these kinds of technologies have the power to enlighten and empower, but equally, they have the power to destroy us all. This series explores (and asks audiences to ponder) the disturbing realities we have created for ourselves through the ways that we engage with news media, social media, and entertainment media. It asks us to question the way that media and technology create, perpetuate, and deny power to certain groups.
A lot of Black Mirror episodes are narratives we have seen before; however, what this series does is it imagines the near future technology and media that could fundamentally alter those narratives and how they play out.
The series deals in large part with human relationships, with romantic relationships – people lusting, people obsessing, people manipulating, people falling in love, people having sex, people falling out of love, people fighting, people reconciling. Those stories are oft-written.
But what this series does differently is it imagines how those acts and actions and relationships might change given very specific technologies like true virtual reality; algorithms that calculate relationship expiration dates; implants that make it possible to save and play back every second of every interaction; hardware and software that make it possible to recreate a human entity using their online presence; software/implants that could block you from seeing other peoples' real faces IRL; software that can expand time infinitely; implants that allow you to control what your child sees and hears. The series seems to propose that these kinds of technologies have the power to enlighten and empower, but equally, they have the power to destroy us all. This series explores (and asks audiences to ponder) the disturbing realities we have created for ourselves through the ways that we engage with news media, social media, and entertainment media. It asks us to question the way that media and technology create, perpetuate, and deny power to certain groups.
Black Mirror
Season 1, Episode 1 “The National Anthem” This episode follows British Prime Minister, Michael Callow, as he responds to the kidnapping of a beloved Royal Family member, Princess Susannah. Callow faces a shocking dilemma - the decision will fundamentally alter his life and the country. This episode explores the consequences of social media culture.
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Screening Guide
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Black Mirror
Season 2, Episode 3 “The Waldo Moment” This episode follows failed comedian Jamie, the voice of a popular and brash animated bear (think Triumph the Insult Comic Dog). Jamie's life gets turned upside down when his producer wants Waldo to become politically active and run for office. This episode explores news media, political media, and the ways in which modern media influence audiences and vice versa.
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Screening Guide
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Black Mirror
Season 1, Episode 3 “The Entire History of You This episode creates a near-future world in which the average person has access to an implantable device that records everything they do, see, and hear. This device allows immediate playback that can be seen in the eye or projected onto a public space. The device enables people to store all data, forever. This episode explores the idea of biotechnology and its positive and negative consequences.
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Screening Guide
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Black Mirror
Season 5, Episode 1 "Striking Vipers" This episode explores the concept of true virtual reality - a technology that allows the mind to project into a virtual space and physically interact with that space and the people in it. When two long time friends enter into this game space, their relationship begins to change dramatically. This episode explores the concept of sexuality as well as virtual reality's ability to transform human communication and interaction.
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Screening Guide
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Black Mirror
Season 3, Episode 1 “Nosedive” In this episode, Lacie is desperate to boost her social media score. In this near-future society, social media scores dictate a peoples' worth and the access they have to goods and services. Lacie is invited to a swanky wedding, but nothing goes according to plan. This episode explores society's use of social media and its consequences.
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Screening Guide
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Black Mirror
Season 1, Episode 3 “15 Million Merits” We follow Bing, the protagonist, through the ins and outs of his daily life. Bing and his peers' lives consist of riding exercise bicycles in order to gain merits. Their entire world is digital and revolves around specific entertainment media. Bing meets new biker Abby, and works to help her become a contestant on a talent competition program. This episode explores the idea of class, reality programming, and societal control.
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Screening Guide
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Black Mirror
Season 2, Episode 2 “White Bear” This episode follows Victoria, a woman who wakes up with no memory of who she is, where she is, or what she is doing there. Although Victoria seeks help from others, the people she encounters refuse to help or even speak to her. This episode explores society's use of technology as well as the idea of ethics.
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Screening Guide
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Screening Guide
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