TV Show Review - Black Mirror

TV Show Review

‘Sup mates, today’s blog will be on the Netflix TV series Black Mirror. Although I am a

terribly impatient person that is not capable of following a series, Black Mirror is the one

series that I have not missed a single episode. 

Premiered in 2011, Black Mirror is a British dystopian science fiction anthology series whose

setting is often in the future or the alternative present. The episodes are independent to one

another and the general themes are dark and satire. The series showcases the future with

unanticipated consequences of new technologies. According to the series creator Charlie

Brooker, the name Black Mirror refers to the screens of technological devices, and there is a

dark and scary vibe attached to the name, which suits the content and the theme of the

show. The show has run for five seasons, together with a Christmas special and an

interactive film, and is still being renewed.

What I like about Black Mirror is firstly the anthology format, with which watching prior

episodes are not required to understand the later ones, a perfect fit for impatient viewers

that find most series too long to follow like myself. And the whole series does not follow a

single storyline, each episode has a different topic and storyline. A common trait in Black

Mirror episodes are they leave a haunting effect on viewers in a brief amount of time. There

is only a little use of effects and horror factors in the show to increase the impact, since the

experience of viewing an episode of BM is unsettling enough, which is another appealing

point to me. Finally, despite being a sci-fi depicting the dystopian future, most of the effects

of new technologies on people can clearly be seen happening in the future, and some of the

series’ episode topics are either reflecting real-life events or can closely relate to real-life

issues. There was an episode about a system that allows people to rate each other based

on their interactions and personality on a five-star scale, and higher ratings entitle people to

many benefits. A similar social credit system is being used in China, where low ratings put

people in a government blacklist and strip people off many of their rights. Coincidentally, the

series premiere in 2011 contains the detail of the Prime Minister of the UK being

blackmailed to perform sexual acts with a pig, the following year the British PM David

Cameron was accused to have allegedly taken part in an initiation ceremony involving the

head of dead pigs. In conclusion, the series provides a darker view of the future based on

the actions and behaviours of people at present.

From my point of view this is a great show whose daring and haunting content is incredibly

thought-provoking. Due to recurrent violence, sexual and unsettling content, the series is R-

rated. All five seasons including specials can be found on Netflix and I really recommend

watching the show, but be prepared for the impact the show leaves on you afterwards.

Rating: 9/10

-Xuan Dung Vuong-