Whereas the first episode of Black Mirror was set fully in a world known to the viewer, this second episode takes a journey into the future. A world in which society is completely different and people no longer live in houses, but within a small rooms with a bed in a huge building. There’s nothing else in the room except that all four walls are TVs. There are no windows and no one goes outside. The only thing people are doing is cycling on hometrainers to earn virtual money and watch television.
Watching commercials is mandatory and can only be skipped after paying (something which isn’t too fair from the reality of what you see in free apps on your phone). Simply closing your eyes isn’t possible because the commercial will be paused and a sound is played informing you that you have to keep watching. This episode takes it time to introduce its world and as a viewer you are trying to give an explanation to this society. People who are overweight only seem to be good enough to clean up, play the “victims” of eating programs or are shown as targets in videogames. It means there is a separation in classes, but no further explanation is given.
The viewer follows Bing (Daniel Kaluuya) in his daily life, which isn’t more than cycling, watching TV and sleeping. He hardly talks to others until he falls for Abi (Jessica Brown Findlay) after he hears her sing. He is sure that she can become famous by appearing on an extremely popular talent show and he is willing to give away all his credits in order for her to participate.
It is all about mass consumption, the obsession of society with shows like The Voice/X-Factor and the pressure shows like that and their jury put on the contestants. It is not only the jury though, because the audience also makes the contestants feel like they have to act a specific way. They are shown here as virtual Nintendo-Wii like characters who represent all viewers in real time.
The concept of talent shows is brought to its extreme and even the contestant who swears he will stick to his principles is broken under the pressure and the promise of a better life. His battle changes into a parody because of it, a easily digestible package others consume as entertainment. With its criticism on the obsession on virtual things and hyped shows it makes you think. This episode is more abstract and futuristic which creates a bigger distance to the viewer. It is something not everyone will probably appreciate, but just like the opening show it does succeed in making you think.
Never seen the series, but it gets so much praise here in the UK. I really should try get to it one day.
Yeah, I had been hearing good things about it for ages and am really happy I finally decided to check it out.