Anyone else watching this British series? It's very much a twisted modern version of the Twilight Zone. I've only watched the first episode, "The National Anthem". In a nutshell: a member of the Royal Family is kidnapped and the hostage-takers only demand is that the British PM fuck a pig on live national television, or the princess dies. Yup. You read that correctly. Hilarity does not ensue. The episode is extremely well-done and an absolutely scathing commentary on modern society and social media.
I only saw that same first episode, didn't know they ever made more. While it was excellently done, it was so gruelling I didn't look for follow-ups right away. IIRC Charlie Brooker was involved in some way?
Yes. He wrote this episode. As far as I know, there have only been six episodes of the series in total.
The first episode IMO was a lot darker than the ones that followed. But all brilliant stuff. I get bothered by the techno-paranoia overtones of it all though, encourages people to fear new technology rather than understand it.
I wouldn't necessarily classify it as fear, but more of a very healthy skepticism as to whether every bit of new technology actually improves the world or makes it worse.
A common sentiment, but not one I share. I'm all for the satire on today's technology, the problem is that technologies featured in black mirror (thinking especially the ability to record and playback memories) are going to be around in our lifetimes and the discussion needs to be based on a safe transition to these technologies with both utopian and dystopian scenarios presented, but there's too much dystopia out there IMO.
Not to derail this thread any further, but I'd argue there's too much dystopia for a very good reason. I'm not a technophobe but I'd say a lot of 20th and 21st century technologies, while making communities and the world more accessible, also have a very big downside. Motorized vehicles (cars, trains, planes, etc.) are a great example. An immeasurable benefit in terms of convenience and commerce, but with a huge downside. At least two-million people die per year as direct result of motorized vehicles (car accidents, train derailments, plane crashes, etc.) The indirect deaths can't quite be measured, nor can the long-term effects on our health. I wonder what would have happened if, during the announcement of the Model T car, Henry Ford had said, "A certain percentage of you are going to die as a direct result of my invention, and many urban areas will be covered in pollution and smog." Just about every piece of technology comes with upsides and downsides. "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."
This is on Netflix now (at least the first 6 episodes, 3rd series is in the works). It plays very well. Fantastic production values. Twilight Zone is an apt comparison. Going to be remade for the US market (we need ours dumbed down). More
The 14 Million Credits episode is basically a retelling of the movie Network. Not a slam on the episode, just a commentary on how prophetic that movie really was. And if you haven't seen this bit by Charlie Brooker, its worth a watch.
Network was the "mad as hell" movie with chucking TV's out the window as I recall. It was good. Howard Beale: I want you to go to the window, open it, stick your head out and yell: "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore." imdb link Blazing Saddles was slightly prophetic too. Hostage scene.
Oh, and the guy who's in the I'll be Right Back episode, is starring in Ex Machina, interestingly enough.
