TV Series Tag #44: Black Mirror

Hi, this train doesn’t take us to a place this time. It’s more of tackling the issue of technology which has somehow become an integral part of the 21st century society. Black Mirror is a Netflix original series and each episode is a story on its own. The themes are usually dark and worrisome. They are thought-provoking as it confronts you to think about how much involving technology has become in our lives and the possible downsides to it.

1. Where would you rank it among your favorite shows?
Top 50.

2. From 1-10, how obsessed are you?
Because each episode is a story on its own, there isn’t that suspense factor to keep watching after one episode ends. Because of how profound the themes are, I usually need some time to ponder about them after watching before I can venture another one. I’d rate myself at 6.

3. How did you discover the show?
My former work colleague Ben recommended it to me. He told me it would be a show I’d enjoy and I took his word for it. He was right.

4. What was your initial thought of the show and did it change after watching it?
Episode one of season 1 (National Anthem) rocked me to the core. I couldn’t believe what was unfolding was actually happening. You know when the protagonist is faced with an obstacle and by the time it had ended, he has found a way to overcome it? Nope, the creator had totally different plans. As I watched the others, I realized there were plot twists usually at the end which changes the perspective I was watching with at the beginning.

5. Why do you like the show?
I like the show because it’s confrontational. Enough with the fantasy world most shows paint for us to escape to. Each show makes you think of how differently you would have handled a situation (involving technology) considering the consequences you’ve seen being portrayed in the show.

6. Favorite episode?
Each episode pinched me in a different way but one that I could really relate to was ‘Nosedive’ (Season 3, Episode 1). It was about a girl who was obsessed about getting a lot of likes (can you relate?) since the society basically run on how likeable one’s social profile was. I kept tsk tsk-ing throughout. I hope that doesn’t become a reality soon.

7. Least favorite episode?
I’d rather say the episode I didn’t fully grasp was ‘Fifteen Million Merits’ (Season 1 Episode 2). It was about the effects of internet porn and I lost count of how many times I tried watching it. It always put me to sleep so I was watching it in bits. When I finally watched the ending, I was totally lost. Perhaps, I should find time and re-watch it. I know it was about how subtly compelling porn-related pop ups are and how they affect us but I need to fully understand the message.

8. Who is your crush on the show?
This show isn’t about giving you a character to crush on…lol.

9. If you were to be a character, who would you choose?
Hmm…that would be difficult.

10. Favorite season
Can’t point to one. I have favorite episodes from all the seasons.

11. Do you follow the show on Facebook and Twitter?
I follow the show on Facebook.

12. Which of the characters would you like to meet?
Most of the protagonists, I guess. I’d like to know how they were able to immense themselves into their characters.

13. What lesson(s) have you learnt from the show?
Technology is a great gift to this generation, no doubt but we shouldn’t be so naïve in how we use it. It doesn’t matter if a certain app is trending or not, beware of how much information it has of you and how influential it is. Use it as a tool; don’t give it enough power to be a weapon to destroy you. A word to the wise…

Have you watched Black Mirror? Which episode freaked you out the most? Let me know! Thanks for reading.

© Josephine Amoako 2019