Black Mirror on Channel 4

[Jorge]

I'm up to San Junipero - first episode was AWFUL, 2 and 3 were OK, San Junipero was wonderful, so a pretty mediocre season so far.

It was the weakest season by far, but I also feel like sometimes Black Mirror doesn't know where to go with the premises. It builds up this nightmarish scenario and then it just sits there. Episode 5 of this season is a great example of this. Interesting premise (if heavy-handed), then plateaus early and resolves in the lamest way. Episode 1 of season 2, same thing.

I think watching season 3 and seeing all of its weaknesses laid out so clearly (obvious and heavy-handed social commentary, mostly staid and ordinary visuals, narrative limpness, weak resolutions) has made me think less of the 2 previous seasons.

Also: even the title of the show is kind of an eyeroll. It's called Black Mirror because that's what you're looking at when your phone is turned off. It's a black mirror. C'mon.

[tragabigzanda]

What a boring answer, Jorg. You're a way better trickster than you are a straight man.

[Bi_3]

I'm up to San Junipero - first episode was AWFUL, 2 and 3 were OK, San Junipero was wonderful, so a pretty mediocre season so far.

It was the weakest season by far, but I also feel like sometimes Black Mirror doesn't know where to go with the premises. It builds up this nightmarish scenario and then it just sits there. Episode 5 of this season is a great example of this. Interesting premise (if heavy-handed), then plateaus early and resolves in the lamest way. Episode 1 of season 2, same thing.

I think watching season 3 and seeing all of its weaknesses laid out so clearly (obvious and heavy-handed social commentary, mostly staid and ordinary visuals, narrative limpness, weak resolutions) has made me think less of the 2 previous seasons.

Also: even the title of the show is kind of an eyeroll. It's called Black Mirror because that's what you're looking at when your phone is turned off. It's a black mirror. C'mon.

A little hokie I suppose, but given the show's primary target (how we as a species are rejecting our natural humanity in favor of technological replacements ), the idea of using this imagery of seeing only a shadow of yourself because your bridge to this more desirable world is off is understandable as a title to envoke a commonality in the stories.

[BurtReynolds]

Juniper was pretty good. I seem to like the more "out there" ones. The simpler ones aren't very interesting.

[tragabigzanda]

So at least one episode's premise has come true:

http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2016/12/01/ ... ial-credit

[Bi_3]

"Men Against Fire": Possibly the worst episode of the series... bad acting, directing, and a borrowed plot.

[BurtReynolds]

I thought the roach and bee ones were ok. Men Against Fire gives it's gimmick away too soon, and I've already seen the plot in a recent short, but the last twist was ok.

I think I'd forgive the show's faults if they were shorter. They're too long for these skimpy plots. Must be a British thing.

[daft twat]

Just watched ep 1. He fucked a goddam pig. This made me laugh. Remember when it was controversial for multiracial couples on tv? Our lifetimes. He fucked a goddam pig.

[daft twat]

Man, episode 3 was fucked up. Seeing Broadchurch's Jodi Whitaker made me so happy, but then....I was left wondering, would life be better or worse if she cheated on me? It would blow to be cuckolded but, on the other hand, it means I would have been banging her.

[Bi_3]

http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/15/technology/bee-drone-pollination/index.html

[bodysnatcher]

So I finally decided to give this show a spin last night after sitting in my watchlist forever. Watched the first episode about the pig.

This show has a 5 star average rating on Netflix? That was a super boring, predictable, and kinda lame story line.

It's like Marilyn Manson went to film school and tried to SHOCK EVERYONE.

[tragabigzanda]

So I finally decided to give this show a spin last night after sitting in my watchlist forever. Watched the first episode about the pig.

This show has a 5 star average rating on Netflix? That was a super boring, predictable, and kinda lame story line.

It's like Marilyn Manson went to film school and tried to SHOCK EVERYONE.

The quality is all over the place. Try "The Entire History of You" or "San Junipero" for a couple that are universally acclaimed. And then "Playtest" is a personal favorite about video games.

[Bi_3]

So I finally decided to give this show a spin last night after sitting in my watchlist forever. Watched the first episode about the pig.

This show has a 5 star average rating on Netflix? That was a super boring, predictable, and kinda lame story line.

It's like Marilyn Manson went to film school and tried to SHOCK EVERYONE.

The quality is all over the place. Try "The Entire History of You" or "San Junipero" for a couple that are universally acclaimed. And then "Playtest" is a personal favorite about video games.

The second episode "15 Million Merits" is pretty great as well.

[bune]

I really need to watch the Netflix episodes, but my wife hates this kind of entertainment (tried to watch "Be Right Back" with her and had to turn it off only a couple minutes in).

EDIT: And I'm one of the weirdo's who actually kind of liked the Waldo episode. Loved "White Bear".

Last edited by bune on Fri February 24, 2017 8:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[tragabigzanda]

So I finally decided to give this show a spin last night after sitting in my watchlist forever. Watched the first episode about the pig.

This show has a 5 star average rating on Netflix? That was a super boring, predictable, and kinda lame story line.

It's like Marilyn Manson went to film school and tried to SHOCK EVERYONE.

The quality is all over the place. Try "The Entire History of You" or "San Junipero" for a couple that are universally acclaimed. And then "Playtest" is a personal favorite about video games.

The second episode "15 Million Merits" is pretty great as well.

Yea, I enjoyed that one.

[bodysnatcher]

So I finally decided to give this show a spin last night after sitting in my watchlist forever. Watched the first episode about the pig.

This show has a 5 star average rating on Netflix? That was a super boring, predictable, and kinda lame story line.

It's like Marilyn Manson went to film school and tried to SHOCK EVERYONE.

The quality is all over the place. Try "The Entire History of You" or "San Junipero" for a couple that are universally acclaimed. And then "Playtest" is a personal favorite about video games.

The second episode "15 Million Merits" is pretty great as well.

Yea, I enjoyed that one.

haha damn, i was just chatting with my buddy and he said he's tried 3 times to get through that episode, but he just does anything else that he can think of

[tragabigzanda]

So I finally decided to give this show a spin last night after sitting in my watchlist forever. Watched the first episode about the pig.

This show has a 5 star average rating on Netflix? That was a super boring, predictable, and kinda lame story line.

It's like Marilyn Manson went to film school and tried to SHOCK EVERYONE.

The quality is all over the place. Try "The Entire History of You" or "San Junipero" for a couple that are universally acclaimed. And then "Playtest" is a personal favorite about video games.

The second episode "15 Million Merits" is pretty great as well.

Yea, I enjoyed that one.

haha damn, i was just chatting with my buddy and he said he's tried 3 times to get through that episode, but he just does anything else that he can think of

It sort of spoon-feeds you the story, but I have to admit it's lingered with me while others have faded.

[Bi_3]

The pay is big, and Bing's speech works on many levels. Fuck, it's more relevant today in America than when it was written in the U.K.

[bodysnatcher]

So I finally decided to give this show a spin last night after sitting in my watchlist forever. Watched the first episode about the pig.

This show has a 5 star average rating on Netflix? That was a super boring, predictable, and kinda lame story line.

It's like Marilyn Manson went to film school and tried to SHOCK EVERYONE.

man, the more this episode sets in 12 hours later, the more and more i hate it

[tragabigzanda]

So I finally decided to give this show a spin last night after sitting in my watchlist forever. Watched the first episode about the pig.

This show has a 5 star average rating on Netflix? That was a super boring, predictable, and kinda lame story line.

It's like Marilyn Manson went to film school and tried to SHOCK EVERYONE.

man, the more this episode sets in 12 hours later, the more and more i hate it

Imbibe your favorite imbibable and watch one of the other ones tonight. I promise there are some great eps (assuming you're a sci-fi fan).