Black Mirror (Netflix series)

[MinionZombie]

So, what did folks think of the fourth series of Black Mirror?

I'm not sure what my favourite episode would be, although the least of the six was "Metalhead" IMHO. It was generally decent and didn't overstay its welcome, but I didn't really see what the point of it all was beyond a basic game of cat and mouse, and the final shot left me thinking "eh?"

Otherwise some really good ideas with a nice range of tones and outcomes. :)

[Neil]

So, what did folks think of the fourth series of Black Mirror?

I'm not sure what my favourite episode would be, although the least of the six was "Metalhead" IMHO. It was generally decent and didn't overstay its welcome, but I didn't really see what the point of it all was beyond a basic game of cat and mouse, and the final shot left me thinking "eh?"

Otherwise some really good ideas with a nice range of tones and outcomes. :)

On my list of things to watch!

[MinionZombie]

On my list of things to watch!

I just finished bingeing it over four days. Good thing about it being just six episodes, you can usually crack off one or two per day in the telly lull post-Xmas. :cool:

Only one iffy episode, and even that iffy episode was better than the one iffy episode that Series 3 had (do you remember that weird one that seemed to be like a comment on xenophobia, about some military guys in a sort of abandoned city or something? That one was a bit shit, to be honest, but the one iffy ep from Series 4 was loads better by comparison).

Some really strong stories this series with intriguing 'techy set ups' with lots of "what if" exploration and occasional stings in the tail. Most of the time you can't really tell where it's going to end up, or you can only guess so far, which is quite impressive from a screenwriting perspective. :)

[bassman]

I agree that metalhead was the weak link of this new season, but even still....A weak episode of BM is still better than a lot of TV these days.

This show quickly became one of my favorites. My favorite show of all time is The Twilight Zone and this one definitely feels like a relative to TZ. In fact, it gives me some hope that the new version of TZ that Jordan Peele is creating actually CAN be good.

It's a tough decision, but out of season four I think my favorite episode would either be USS Calister(I'm a fan of Tar Trek too, so I'm sure that factors in) or Black Museum. Can't wait for the next season!

[MinionZombie]

Aye, I'm not sure which I'd pick as my favourite from this fourth series ... I'd probably lean most towards USS Callister, or Black Museum, but Arkangel had fascinating ramifications/temptations related to its technology and was very grounded in a simple human relationship with a lot of background shading done very deftly, while Crocodile was exceedingly dark by the end and it was really interesting to see how a simple case of 'wrong place, wrong time' can collide with an entirely different plotline in an exceedingly dark way, and "Hang the DJ" was one of the lighter tone episodes, but again I really got into it.

One of Black Mirror's strengths is that it can change everything from episode to episode, but you very quickly get on board and become just as invested in this new episode as you'd become with the previous episode.

So yeah, probably a toss up between USS Callister and Black Museum for the 'over all', but it was such a strong fourth series that it's very hard to choose. :)

[shootemindehead]

Wasn't able to really get into this show, despite being a fan of Charlie Brooker and sharing his sense of humour. I got as far as the one with Domhnall Gleeson and left it at that a couple of years ago. His _Wipe stuff is great and it's a pity there was no 2017 this year.

I have all the 'Black Mirror' episodes floating around, so i'll probably get around to looking at some more at some stage. But, at present, I'm still not feeling the urge.

[MinionZombie]

Wasn't able to really get into this show, despite being a fan of Charlie Brooker and sharing his sense of humour. I got as far as the one with Domhnall Gleeson and left it at that a couple of years ago.

Huh...

The first episode of series 2 (that one with Domhnall Gleeson) is one of my favourites and one of the series' best. The first series was a bit wobbly (mainly because of the, IIRC, second episode which was about some weird future with everyone riding on stationary bikes for digital coin or some bollocks), although the first and third episodes were solid (and, well, the first was extremely disturbing in a 'burned into your brain' kind of way). The second series upped the quality and had no weak links. Then there was the Xmas Special, which was deliciously dark as well, and then it's been six episodes a piece for series 3 and 4.

With every episode being something new you might find something in it in time ... or do you just generally not like the vibe of it?

Bassman - while I've not really watched Twilight Zone, I understand it enough to likewise understand your comparison between it and Black Mirror. The twisty nature of it etc.

[bassman]

MZ, pm me your address and I'll personally mail you the complete Twilight Zone Blu Ray collection. I'm that confident you'll fall in love with it. :lol:

I often hear a lot of criticism about Black Mirror being too dark of a series, but I personally don't see it that way. Just your basic good vs evil, light vs dark storytelling. San Junipero in season three is one of the most uplifting episodes of any TV series ever. I've watched that episode many times and still love the good vibes it gives the viewer. And it's impossible not to have "Heaven is a Place on Earth" stuck in your head for at least a day after, if not longer. Ha

[shootemindehead]

Can't believe that anybody on this site hasn't seen 'The Twilight Zone'. :eek:

[JDP]

Can't believe that anybody on this site hasn't seen 'The Twilight Zone'. :eek:

Maybe someone who has been living inside a cave for the last 50+ years! One might understand someone not having seen Rod Serling's Night Gallery, which was a lesser-known anthology show (which gravitated towards horror stories, rather than science fiction & fantasy), or even the 80s The Twilight Zone "revival" show, but the original Twilight Zone???

[bassman]

I'm sure MZ is meaning a more proper episode-to-episode viewing of the series as an adult. It's very likely impossible for anyone to have grown up with televisions in their life and not seen various syndication runs of TZ.

I was actually just now reading an article with Mirror's creator Charlie Brooker and he says that USS Calister is just as a much influenced by Twilight Zone as it is Star Trek. In particular the classic episode "It's a Good Life", in which the young boy has the powers to control his family and wish them "to the cornfield" if they disobey. The episode was also adapted for the TZ movie. I didn't even pick up on that influence until reading the article, but now it's so obvious I can't believe I missed it....

[MinionZombie]

I often hear a lot of criticism about Black Mirror being too dark of a series, but I personally don't see it that way. Just your basic good vs evil, light vs dark storytelling. San Junipero in season three is one of the most uplifting episodes of any TV series ever. I've watched that episode many times and still love the good vibes it gives the viewer. And it's impossible not to have "Heaven is a Place on Earth" stuck in your head for at least a day after, if not longer. Ha

San Junipero is one of my favourites, too. I thought it was a pretty damn rad episode and that'd be a hella cool way to spend your old age if you ended up in a home, rather than just lounging about you could relive your glory days (or a version of how you wanted said glory days to be, anyway), and then go on to live a digital afterlife. It was actually kinda cool.


Can't believe that anybody on this site hasn't seen 'The Twilight Zone'. :eek:

:o


I'm sure MZ is meaning a more proper episode-to-episode viewing of the series as an adult. It's very likely impossible for anyone to have grown up with televisions in their life and not seen various syndication runs of TZ.

I don't recall having seen any actual episode of TZ, but I've been aware of the show for a very long time either through clips of it or references to it in other shows/media (e.g. "Night Springs" in the videogame Alan Wake, innumerable episodes of The Simpsons, "The Scary Door" in Futurama, etc etc etc).

It's just one of those things that I haven't got around to yet, especially with so many other things to watch still on the list (I'm currently making my way through "Feud: Bette and Joan" - an 8-part miniseries about the filming of Whatever Happened To Baby Jane, and it's excellent so far, well worth checking out).

I'll get around to TZ one of these days, I promise, guys. :)

[bassman]

Anyone else given the new season a spin? It’s short with only three episodes, but they’re practically feature length films. The Miley Cyrus episode is probably the weakest while still enjoyable, but I loved the others. Especially “Smithereens”.

[MinionZombie]

I'm yet to see the Miley Cyrus episode, but I've watched the other two and thoroughly enjoyed them both. I think the videogame one was the better of the two I've seen from this season. Taking an everyday issue, but twisting it through the realm of technology and the dark viewpoint of Black Mirror, made for a fascinating watch. :)

[Moon Knight]

“Smithereens” was dope while “Striking Vipers” was very fascinating. “Rachel, Jack, and Ashley too” was kinda disappointing. As usual for Black Mirror, the performances and cinematography were on point for all three. Still a great series.

[bassman]

:lol:

^ i like how you snuck that into the editing description! Indeed, she is. I kept thinking she looked familiar, and it was somewhat surprising to see she was Pom Klementieff, Mantis from Guardians/Avengers.

[MinionZombie]

:lol:

^ i like how you snuck that into the editing description! Indeed, she is. I kept thinking she looked familiar, and it was somewhat surprising to see she was Pom Klementieff, Mantis from Guardians/Avengers.

:lol::lol::lol:

Yeah, I was sitting there thinking "Where have I seen this actress before?" and then boom - recognised that highly unique name in the credits.

Also, yes, Roxette was fit as. :D

Gonna try and get the third episode watched tonight after the Canadian GP.

[Moon Knight]

:lol:

^ i like how you snuck that into the editing description! Indeed, she is. I kept thinking she looked familiar, and it was somewhat surprising to see she was Pom Klementieff, Mantis from Guardians/Avengers.

Good catch haha.

She was fine in the Oldboy remake too.

[MinionZombie]

Watched the last episode ... don't know what youze are moaning about, it was a really good episode. I quite enjoyed it, found it to be rather fun. :)

[bassman]

Watched the last episode ... don't know what youze are moaning about, it was a really good episode. I quite enjoyed it, found it to be rather fun. :)

The Ashley Too episode? I enjoyed it. Just out of this new batch, I’d say it’s the weakest. But even the weakest Mirror episodes are better than most tv, so it’s not meant to put it down.

[Moon Knight]

Watched the last episode ... don't know what youze are moaning about, it was a really good episode. I quite enjoyed it, found it to be rather fun. :)

I'm with Bass on this. I wasn't hating, just a bit letdown considering they got Miley Cyrus to play a part. It wasn't horrible, just the weaker of the three. It kinda just ended, you know?

[MinionZombie]

The Ashley Too episode? I enjoyed it. Just out of this new batch, I’d say it’s the weakest. But even the weakest Mirror episodes are better than most tv, so it’s not meant to put it down.


I'm with Bass on this. I wasn't hating, just a bit letdown considering they got Miley Cyrus to play a part. It wasn't horrible, just the weaker of the three. It kinda just ended, you know?

The ending was a bit abrupt, although it was nice to get glimpses after during the credits with all the episodes, and that Ashley was able to do more what she wanted (it was fun to see those bubblegum pop girls flee the rock club in fright, haha).

I think I enjoyed this episode more than the social media hostage episode. Now, it was done very well with a cracking central performance, but I don't know, I wanted more out of it, but I'm not really sure what, but again it was a very solid episode (and several steps above that black and white episode and a robot dog killer droid thing ... I absolutely do not understand why that episode got so much praise, that baffles me) ... ... anyway, I think the 'technology concepts' were more a part of the Ashley Too episode, so maybe that's why I enjoyed it more, it had a little more sci-fi in there, was quite humorous, and so many things about it felt like there was a foot in our present world and a foot in a possible future, which is when Black Mirror is best IMHO.

When she started singing her own lyrics I was put off balance at first, because I could have sworn they were Nine Inch Nails lyrics, but a little different - then yep, sure enough, hehe ... so even though it was a different version of it, I am a big NIN fan, so that added something extra as a bonus. :D

I was a bit unsure about having Miley Cyrus in it, what with certain nonsense in recent years, but she actually showed that with good material and direction she can put out a solid performance ... plus, with links to her own career and life, it probably helped things along a bit.

[Moon Knight]

My favorite episode of Black Mirror still remains "San Junipero".

[MinionZombie]

My favorite episode of Black Mirror still remains "San Junipero".

Aye, a fan favourite and one of the rare 'happy' episodes (for the most part). It was a really cool idea, too, whereby old folks etc could journey into an idealised version of their youth and be social and enjoy themselves ... I'd legit like to visit San Junipero (if it existed). :D

It's certainly one of my top episodes, and vying for top spot ... I'm not sure which would win out, really ... I'd put San Junipero on level pegging with "Be Right Back" (2x01), personally.

[Moon Knight]

“Be Right Back” made me appreciate Peggy Carter that much more. Yowie Wowie!

[MinionZombie]

I remember the very first episode "The National Anthem" left me feeling sick and surprisingly shaken. I was so bummed out after that episode that it haunted me throughout the following week. Superb acting in that, as well. Despite all that, though, I knew it was my kinda show (deliciously dark).

[Neil]

5jY1ecibLYo

[Neil]

EP1 - "Joan is Aweful" - Nice start :)

[MinionZombie]

EP1 - "Joan is Aweful" - Nice start :)

Been away, but back now and having to start getting caught up on everything that suddenly decided to show up just at the moment I go away for a week (I mean, Netflix seems to have a habit of being barren for weeks at a time, then all of a sudden three things show up in the same week when you're already trying to watch two other things) ... so anyway, got started on the new season today - only seen the first episode, but aye, a really good ep. Had plenty of stuff going on, lots of layers. It's partly a commentary on cancel culture/public shaming, but then also adds in further ideas to keep spinning it into a more and more complex story. Very much enjoyed it, so hopefully this is a good indicator of the other four episodes - if so, then it'd show how having a few years away has helped some new and relevant ideas to be toyed with.

This ep even got a few big laughs out of me, too, so another plus. :thumbsup:

[Neil]

The third episode is interesting but seemed very over long...

[MinionZombie]

Watched the second episode just now - Dead Loch - very enjoyable, too ... although the stuff early on with 'micro aggressions' and 'woke talk' slipping in was a bit eye-rolling and kind of unnecessary/irksome ... other than that, though, I really dug episode two.

- - - Updated - - -

So, ep #3 "Beyond The Sea".

Another good one, but yeah, you could've cut ten minutes out of that, or trimmed down certain elements into montage. Perhaps trimming down a bit would've made certain developments less inevitable, if that makes sense? You wouldn't have had as much time to think about where it's going, but then again maybe that's me with my writer's brain switched on and thinking about what moves could be made from the pieces on the board.

Still good, though.

[MinionZombie]

Okay, so...

Ep 4 "Mazey Day" ... the weak one of the bunch IMHO. Didn't feel like it had anything interesting to say or do with the papparazzi angle, and the twist felt a bit random ... I wasn't bored by it, to be fair, but it did feel a little bit 'meh'.

Ep 5 "Demon 79" ... another long one, but this one felt a bit better paced than Beyond The Sea (the other really long one). Some hints of Hammer Horror, and lots of humour. Now ... I don't really know how it fits into the general vibe and purpose of Black Mirror, but despite that it was very enjoyable and kept me hooked.

Everyone's mileage will vary with each episode, but I'd say 4 out of 5 is pretty darn solid. The gap since the last batch of episodes has definitely helped.

[shootemindehead]

The first two are pretty decent stories. I very much liked episode 2. The third was kinda meh, with a huge problem too. Why couldn't they just not send the replicas to the space station instead of the real guys? The real guys stay on earth with their families and their replicas do their jobs in space.

[MinionZombie]

The first two are pretty decent stories. I very much liked episode 2. The third was kinda meh, with a huge problem too. Why couldn't they just not send the replicas to the space station instead of the real guys? The real guys stay on earth with their families and their replicas do their jobs in space.

That's a fair point! :stunned:

I don't recall any dialogue that explained it, but perhaps they did and I missed it.

Maybe it could be a case of the tech being quite experimental, so you wouldn't risk the mission on robot men who might conk out, whereas you know and understand the human body enough to trust that more than a brand new machine?

[shootemindehead]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

All the way through the episode I couldn't help thinking that if they sent the replicas to space, the whole story becomes null and void. The Manson family wannabes have no motive.

Anyway, we finished out the series tonight and the last two episodes were fairly enjoyable. 'Demon 79' I felt was the better of the last two. Genuinely funny in certain moments. 'Mazey Day' was ok, but I really disliked the main actress. She has a puss on her that's just deeply unpleasant. Also, the other actress, what's her face playing Mazey Day, reminded me so much of a young Linda Blair that I was constantly taken out of the story.

All in all though, S06 is probably the best series of 'Black Mirror' that I've seen. Certainly the most consistent, in a show that's always been chronically hit and miss.

[Neil]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

All the way through the episode I couldn't help thinking that if they sent the replicas to space, the whole story becomes null and void.Didn't even think of that :) That's why you earn the big bucks!

ps: There is of course the whole issue of faster than light travel too for the link between the human/replica.

[MinionZombie]

There is of course the whole issue of faster than light travel too for the link between the human/replica.

Now funnily enough that one I was thinking of - but then again, you've got the tech to make these "replicas", so I'll just go with it that they have the tech to transmit that amount of data that quickly... :shifty:

[Neil]

Now funnily enough that one I was thinking of - but then again, you've got the tech to make these "replicas", so I'll just go with it that they have the tech to transmit that amount of data that quickly... :shifty:

Even to the moon there's seconds of lag/delay. Imagine trying to react to having a conversation or catching a ball with a 3s delay in your head :)

You're around the moon and Wifey asks your replica a question. It gets to you 1.5s later, you respond, and it takes 1.5s for that response to get back to your replica. All the chats seemed immediate in the episode :)

But I'm happy to go with handwavium explanations...

[MinionZombie]

Even to the moon there's seconds of lag/delay. Imagine trying to react to having a conversation or catching a ball with a 3s delay in your head :)

You're around the moon and Wifey asks your replica a question. It gets to you 1.5s later, you respond, and it takes 1.5s for that response to get back to your replica. All the chats seemed immediate in the episode :)

But I'm happy to go with handwavium explanations...

Yeah, I think it's one of those things that manages to pass the 'internal logic' of the episode itself ... meanwhile, the issue shoot raised is an entirely different matter.

Was that ever brought up in the episode? Did I miss something in the dialogue that explained why the replicas aren't on the spaceship instead? If not, then that doesn't pass the internal logic test.