So…seen any good TV?
Technology has a cutting edge and discovering that could be dangerous. Martha (Hayley Atwell) learns dead might not mean dead when her love Ash (Domhnall Gleeson) is taken suddenly while a woman (Lenora Crichlow) finds herself with amnesia and drawn into a dangerous game she doesn’t understand. A cartoon character voiced by Jamie Salter (Daniel Rigby) makes a political splash, and two men (Jon Hamm and Rafe Spall) trade stories at a remote outpost on Christmas. They have all stared into the black mirror.
Black Mirror—Season 2 (or Series 2) aired from February 11, 2013 to February 25, 2013 with a holiday special “White Christmas” airing December 16, 2014. The series aired on the BBC’s Channel 4. The series continued to receive critical acclaim.
No way a person just spouting out junk would become popular in an election…at least Waldo didn’t win…that would be completely unrealistic (sarcasm)
Black Mirror is the modern (and more adult) grandchild of the original Twilight Zone. The series is edgy and (usually) unpredictable while offering gut-wrenching twists. The second season continues this trend and (as the title implies) reflects a lot of what is going on in the world despite being a fantasy.
The first three entries in the series (which technically are Series 2) are solid. “Be Right Back” is a nice twist on something like “The Monkey’s Paw” or even “Bobby” from the old Dead of Night horror movie where getting the return of a loved one isn’t always the best thing (though this is more psychological than horrific). “White Bear” was a bit predictable, but it was still a fun, fast-moving romp. “The Waldo Moment” is especially scary (and predictive) after the 2016 year of elections…it is ironic though while real life is scarier.
Paparazzi have gotten bad
“White Christmas” gained a lot of acclaim and is solid, but I also found it a bit wandering. Running over an hour, the episode is building to the ending, but I felt parts with Oona Chaplin and Rasmus Hardiker were too long to be given as “examples” to build upon (and felt more like stories that they did not have enough substance to turn into a full episode)…it is solid, but I wanted to like it more.
The series is still sharp. The visuals and editing really pump up the series and look big (which is ironic considering how long it took the BBC to get to this after years of hokey looking sci-fi series). It is the slick realism that makes the show really pop and feel real.
Black Mirror is a great, modern anthology. It has the potential to be funny, scary, and thought provoking all at the same time. It can take you new places or it can feel ultra-real and reality bound. Black Mirror had a third series released on Netflix in 2016.
Black Mirror—Season 2 Complete Episode Guide:
“Be Right Back”
2.1 Be Right Back Airdate: 02/11/13
The sudden death of her husband Ash (Domhnall Gleeson) leaves expectant mother-to-be Martha (Hayley Atwell) reeling. When she learns that a cloud-based recreation of Ash can be developed on her phone, Martha finds that her love might not be as dead as she thought.
“White Bear”
2.2 White Bear Airdate: 02/18/13
Waking up with no memory, a woman (Lenora Crichlow) suffering from memory flashes finds herself on the run from killers and people recording the event with cameras. The woman finds an ally in a woman Jem (Tuppence Middleton) who says she knows what is happening and can stop the terror.
“The Waldo Moment”
2.3 The Waldo Moment Airdate: 02/25/13
Comedian Jamie Salter (Daniel Rigby) is making a name as the voice behind an animated bear named Waldo on a TV talk show. As Waldo branches into the big leagues and political commentary by running for office, Jamie finds that Waldo’s message (or lack thereof) is something that people want…and Jamie could change the world.
“White Christmas”
2.4 White Christmas Airdate: 12/16/14
Matt Trent (Jon Hamm) and Joe Potter (Rafe Spall) tell each other stories of how they ended up at the remote station on Christmas. Matt tells how he served as an aid for a man named Harry (Rasmus Hardiker) seeking a girlfriend in a woman named Jennifer (Natalia Tena) and a woman who’s cookie Greta (Oona Chaplin) discovers that being a household assistant could mean an end to her life. Joe reveals his relationship with Beth (Janet Montgomery) and his quest to regain his love and his unborn child when he is blocked by Beth…and the horror that resulted.
Related Links:
Black Mirror—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
