Black Mirror- Netflix [** Spoilers **]

Basq

Curiosity would get the better of most..

Flashgordon197

I thought it was a bit unbelievable when the PM's flunky said after the finger came and public reaction shifted to him doing it-that they cant guarantee his families security. I'm not sure that is credible.

pickarooney

I just watched all three episodes this week and I have to say I loved it. It's hard to pick a favourite but not as hard as it was not to fall in love with Abi Khan.

Basq

Adored the first two.. but didn't like the third one at all!

pickarooney

Basq wrote: »

Adored the first two.. but didn't like the third one at all!

I'd say for a lot of people it was too close to the bone or else had no resonance. Either way the only laughing was of a nervous type.

James T Kirk

They were all basically Phillip K. Dick stories.

The genius who died too soon, and who everyone has been robbing ever since.

Hobbes

James T Kirk wrote: »

They were all basically Phillip K. Dick stories.

Which one to which story? "15 Million Merits" felt closer to Huxleys "Brave new world".

DeVore

As for "Would I watch it". The answer is a resounding No.

I didnt watch the "Islamic" beheadings. I've never seen Two-Girls-One-Cup nor any of those videos which regularly go viral around boards and we have to clean them up. I control the content I expose myself to probably because from pretty much day one on here I have had to. I'm perfectly capable of deciding what I want to watch and I am critical about why I want to watch it.

For example, Josef Fritzl was not, IMHO, news. It should have been reported, then the fact that the trial had started should have been a note in the news, and again at the conviction. Thats news, the rest was a sordid sort of public fascination which I felt was at least partially as repellant as his actions. We didnt need 24-7 coverage of it and so I didnt consume it.

There is a lamentable misunderstanding of the terms "in the public interest" and "the public is interested in...". They are by no means the same.

So, would I have watched him screw a pig? No. And I would have argued with anyone who did. I wouldnt have stopped them but I wouldnt have watched it and I wouldnt have left it up on Boards either. I'm not saying you shouldnt be allowed watch something like that, you should. But I'm not going to and I'm not going to assist anyone else to either.

DeV.

James T Kirk

I've never watched any of that sordid internet crap either. Like, who wants to see Diana after the crash, or people jumping from the Twin Towers or that video of those psychos killing that homeless person in the forest?

Who the fcuk watches this stuff! And, more importantly, why do they watch it?

I make sick jokes all the time, and maybe I should stop. But I would never watch another person or animal suffering on my screen. Especially stuff uploaded to the internet by subhumans.

Black Mirror is a perfect title.

James T Kirk

Hobbes wrote: »

Which one to which story? "15 Million Merits" felt closer to Huxleys "Brave new world".

You're right. And I have an MP3 interview with PKD saying he admired Huxley and George Orwell. You can see the spirit of the two in the Black Mirror series though.

Volvagia

Just finished the 3rd episode. This was recommended to me by a friend who is a big Chris Morris fan (Like me) and so I was expecting something twisted.

Have to say it's some of the most thought provoking television I've watched in a long time.

Thought the National Anthem was the best all round. It completely sucked me in after about 3 minutes.

Least favourite was the 2nd episode. I still enjoyed it, but felt it was a bit long, and unlike the other two episodes was just a step too far from our reality to really engage me.

The third episode was IMO the hardest one to watch as it was pretty depressing and close to the bone. Arguments about what your loved ones have said or done are horrible enough as it is, without being able to review them time and time again at the touch of a button.

If more television like this is created, it can only be a good thing.

jcsoulinger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ke5AKVtvkdc

Im currently burning my iphone:)

Hope it can live up to the first series.

Basq

Yep, saw the ad before Utopia last night.

Den Of Geek published a spoiler-free review of the first episode today, and says it airs in February.

pixelburp

The Radio Times has a breakdown of all three episodes for those eager to know what is in store; the usual caveats about spoilers apply - each premise is detailed enough, without giving too much away:

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-01-22/charlie-brookers-black-mirror-series-two---plot-details-and-casting-revealed
Looking forward to it, though '15 Million Merits' was the only one I really enjoyed from series 1

PS: the music in the background is a quieter track from Arc, by Everything Everything - verrrrrry good album.

Basq

Back on Monday 11th February at 10pm (according to Den Of Geek).

Lovely Bloke

Really looking forward to these.

The first 4 reminded me of what Channel 4 used to be like back in the day.

Edgy, thoughtful programming.

And Carol Vorderman.

Basq

Give Utopia a shot (if you haven't already) TheNinthGate if you like your programming edgy, thoughtful and different..

Lovely Bloke

Basq wrote: »

Give Utopia a shot (if you haven't already) TheNinthGate if you like your programming edgy, thoughtful and different..

Just saw my Brother in Law talking about it on Facebook, and had a read of first page of the thread here.

Going to have a look either this evening, or over the next few nights.

Cheers.

Basq

That was... ummmm.. just OK.

The weakest of the four episodes total so far definitely.

It just meandered and never really went anywhere... felt like it'd been done elsewhere and better.

Shame!

mike65

I liked the use of technology, completely plausible.

I was initially hoping the cliff top exit would be a neat full stop whereas the actual ending is much better for its speculation that we could learn to use a replicant for our own ends, even on a part time "he does a job" level. Sex and someone to amuse the kids or change a plug.

pixelburp

As before, Brooker writes a good premise, but can't come up with a climax or ending worth a damn; the ideas were sound, and the world-building & everyday technology was really nicely conceived, but it all just petered out after Ash (a robot called Ash? I get it!) came along. That itself was just a bit too pat by half. Disappointing overall.

Akrasia

pixelburp wrote: »

Ash (a robot called Ash? I get it!)

I think they prefer to be called an 'artificial person'

ednwireland

how would anybody develop that without a returns program ! i mean how would you even start to recycle it and what about the batteries to run it (they were complaining their phones went flat too quick . kept me watching though !

Das Kitty

I enjoyed it and thought it was stylish, but it wasn't a patch on any of the three from series one.

AnonoBoy

I had heard from people on Facebook that it would haunt their nightmares. Good, thinks I, something nice and freaky from Brooker.

Nice build up. I think Gleeson is always watchable and Atwell (is that her name?) was good too.

But it went.... nowhere interesting.

I expected it to be creepy which didn't help but the end was very meh. Reminded me of keeping the zombie in the shed at the end of Shaun of the Dead.

Hopefully the next one will be better.

Colm!

In my opinion Be Right Back was just the proper Charlie Brooker version of The Entire History of You. Entire History's themes were dealt with in a far more interesting manner, I personally think that Be Right Back would've fit in far more nicely into the first series. Then again Entire History was just a total letdown to me

Now can we agree that White Bear looks incredibly strange?

jcsoulinger

Colm! wrote: »

In my opinion Be Right Back was just the proper Charlie Brooker version of The Entire History of You. Entire History's themes were dealt with in a far more interesting manner, I personally think that Be Right Back would've fit in far more nicely into the first series. Then again Entire History was just a total letdown to me

Now can we agree that White Bear looks incredibly strange?

I taught Entire history was amazing and prob my fav of the last series followed very close by the prime minister one. Be right back was brilliant but the ending was a real let down just treat him like something you cant throw away and stick him in the attic.

when ever that ad comes on i switch the tv as I am ****less of spoilers

Da Shins Kelly

I think it was quite good, but not as good as the first season. The very first episode is one of the most shocking pieces of television I've seen. It was my favourite one, followed closely by the third episode. I'm looking forward to the next one.

jill_valentine

I thought it was interesting just because it reminded me of something a few years ago. A friend of some friends died tragically, and they kept on talking to his Bebo page in more or less exactly the same way as the character in this started out doing.

But in execution, it wasn't quite up there with The National Anthem.

I think both episodes could have benefitted from ending one scene earlier.

Gingervitis

Man, that was twisted. I think everyone copped it when they strapped her to the chair, but even the hammering it home over the credits made it even more horrific.

Talk about a Prometheus style punishment (the eagle, not the movie)!

Da Shins Kelly

Fcuked up, but rather excellent. A very good critique of mob-style justice.

ixoy

Really enjoyed this one. Nicely set up to make us thing that originally it was a commentary on voyeurism (people taking videos of accidents, etc) and then a good twist to what it was actually about. Also - and this takes some doing - the most depressing of the series so far. Apparently Brooker tweeted a link to a cute cartoon afterwards for therapy...

Basq

Yep, really liked that one.

Nicely twisted.. thought it was just gonna be a straight "signal that causes rage" (a là the movie 'The Signal' from a few years ago) but was dark and definitely one of the best so far.

And as I said a few weeks ago in the Utopia thread, TV needs more Michael Smiley!

Only 1 more.. bah! (supposed Brooker can't be blamed with his TV efforts alone in the last few months being very busy - A Touch Of Cloth, Weekly Wipe, 10 O Clock Live etc)

AlmightyCushion

Basq wrote: »

Only 1 more.. bah! (supposed Brooker can't be blamed with his TV efforts alone in the last few months being very busy - A Touch Of Cloth, Weekly Wipe, 10 O Clock Live etc)

Yeah, it's a balls. The UK's 6 episodes a season is bad enough, 3 is just torture though.

Basq

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Yeah, it's a balls. The UK's 6 episodes a season is bad enough, 3 is just torture though.

They're getting shorter and shorter thanks to the likes of Sherlock and Luther too!

Still, quality over quantity!

ixoy

Basq wrote: »

And as I said a few weeks ago in the Utopia thread, TV needs more Michael Smiley!

I was surprised when he got bumped off in the woods as he was a known face. Made more sense then later on!

Barely related: Is Utopia worth watching? I can't read the thread itself as it'd contain spoilers.

johnpatrick81

Both episodes were good ideas but poorly executed IMO.

DeVore

Utopia is superb imho. Watch it with a few hours to spare cos you will want to watch all the episodes in a row
The first epi is a bit slow but its well worth it.


Black Mirror feels like that "difficult second album" where all the good stuff went into the first album and people want more but the artist hasnt got it in the tank. The last two felt more like an updated "Tales of the Unexpected" than the cutting commentary on modern tech and social changes of the first series.
Still good but just not got that edge/bite to it somehow.

mike65

The material before the big twist was good, fast paced and exciting enough with just enough intrigue regarding the "foresight" of the central character, the big reveal itself as brilliantly staged with that endorphin rush "oooooooooh" moment but then it suddenly became Captain Obvious only slightly redeemed by the final tweak which revealed

how she was on a loop of punishment

.

Basq

ixoy wrote: »

Barely related: Is Utopia worth watching? I can't read the thread itself as it'd contain spoilers.

Am three episodes behind (planning to watch all 6 episodes back-to-back this weekend) but it's absolutely excellent..

pixelburp

ixoy wrote: »

...

Barely related: Is Utopia worth watching? I can't read the thread itself as it'd contain spoilers.

Yes; it's very dark, though is laced with an oddball, black-humour & sensibility that offsets the violence and pessimism. It's also great to look at, almost like watching a comic come to life; well worth it for the visuals alone.

dr gonzo

never even heard of Utopia. Good ol Boards, always giving me new stuff to do!

As for BM, pretty good so far, but not stellar. As DeVore says, its lost some its social critique tone, and is now just more of a quirky story. I think they could have made the first episode a little creepier to be honest, more uncanny valley stuff.

As for this weeks episode, I just found the main actress extremely annoying, that might be just me, but when compared to the acting last week not a candle is held.

I suppose the one problem I have with this show is that nearly every episode has little quirks that annoy me and then I cant get over. obviously its a story and a piece of art in the literal sense, and therefore reality is not the bar by which it sets itself. Even still though. For example, with the national anthem episode, the explanation for why the PM had no choice but to concede to the demands was completely silly. From that point on it remained compelling but I was just sitting there thinking how unnecessary it all was, and nobody would have either agreed to it, or being forced to do it.

As for this week it was not so much the premise but the repetition aspect that was completely insane. The amount of work put into torturing one prisoner...


As I said, completely stupid complaints that were meant to be ignored as a matter of course but they niggled

Looking forward to next weeks!

oxygen

dr gonzo wrote: »

As for this week it was not so much the premise but the repetition aspect that was completely insane. The amount of work put into torturing one prisoner...


As I said, completely stupid complaints that were meant to be ignored as a matter of course but they niggled

Looking forward to next weeks!

Yea, I had to put aside the logistics of the amount of overhead for torturing one prisoner but realistically I can see it as a viable scenario. She was a national symbol of hate. Maybe one particularity left wing party gets into power on the back of this torturous sentence for her, then mob mentality takes over.

I really liked this episode, I thought I had a handle on it, similar to the Signal movie above someone mentioned, then I spent the next 15 minutes :eek:

pixelburp

Caught up with episode 2 this afternoon (gotta love 4OD for not region-locking the service over here), and I would agree that it's easily one of the bleaker episodes from Black Mirror.

They really used the bait & switch well; particularly as the 'Signal' storyline was itself twisted enough to be an episode in its own right - one could easily imagine Brooker penning a story about how we've become mindless drones with our cameras & smart-phones. That it was an elaborate con & a jab at our notions of mob justice, and just how brutal we can be really twist the knife.

As for the premise itself: did anyone else think of Derren Browns recent 'Apocolypse' series when watching? I thought there were a lot of similarities between this BM story & Browns voyeuristic show, itself delighting in putting its victim through the ringer, whilst masquerading itself as having a moral message behind the elaborate con.

Miguel_Sanchez

I'm pretty sure there was an old Future Shock in 2000AD years ago with a very similar theme i.e. murderers who are perpetually punished while families of victims watch.

Anyone remember it?

Basq

Not really enjoying this one..

.. was bugging me as to what I knew the main actor from. I then realised it was the BT ads.



Turns out he won a bloody BAFTA for Best Actor at the BAFTA's (beating Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Smith) a few years ago.... what's he doing on a bloody nauseating BT ad?

pixelburp

Uhm, yeah - waldo and its actor is unbearably annoying & obnoxious. I'm sure that's the point but I don't think it works.

pixelburp

Very disappointing finale, a half baked idea poorly executed, with a positively lol'some ending. Today an English borough, tomorrow the world eh? It felt like a clumsy, tacked on end, grasping for some futureshock & made it all ten times as preachy and adolescent than it was already

wil

Basq wrote: »

Not really enjoying this one..

.. was bugging me as to what I knew the main actor from. I then realised it was the BT ads.



Turns out he won a bloody BAFTA for Best Actor at the BAFTA's (beating Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Smith) a few years ago.... what's he doing on a bloody nauseating BT ad?

Have to agree, shame that wrapping a wireless router around him would prove the regress of science.
Find myself getting a bit bored of Brooker (I wasnt the first). Cant help feeling life is rarely ever going to be defined by single premise plots unless of course you live(d) in Spanish inquisition times, Natzi Germany, or post Celtic Tiger blues:rolleyes:

I might revisit The Prisoner/Brazil etc to re-recall how close they could be to the dystopian future possible than much of what is being gurgitated.
Cant recall anyone predicting where we are now to any great extent, our spectacular failure in the area of space and time travel being a particular disappointment and I suggest the internet as both cause and effect in this and societies continued regression towards navel gazing.
Ah the phuture is a verry forren country indeed.

"It's funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen."

pixelburp

Huh; just in case anyone thought 'Be Right Back' was simply too outlandish to be real, we're closer than you may have thought:

"Launching in March is a new Twitter app called LivesOn. The service uses Twitter bots powered by algorithms that analyse your online behaviour and learn how you speak, so it can keep on scouring the internet, favouriting tweets and posting the sort of links you like, creating a personal digital afterlife. As its tagline explains: "When your heart stops beating, you'll keep tweeting." "

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/shortcuts/2013/feb/18/death-social-media-liveson-deadsocial