In the latter of 2015, Netflix picked up the British sci-fi anthology “Black Mirror” that originally aired exclusively in the UK for 2 seasons of 3 episodes. And I’m so glad they did. “Black Mirror” is a thrilling, thought-provoking series that fills me with giddy whenever I think about, and even more so when I talk about it. I finished binge watching all that is available on Netflix in 2 days and I am floored by the amazing production that is “Black Mirror.” As creator and writer Charlie Brooker discusses his show, he tells the audience “...each episode has a different cast, a different setting, even a different reality. But they're all about the way we live now – and the way we might be living in 10 minutes' time if we're clumsy.” And that right there is exactly why I love the show. Here are the 7 reasons why you’ll love “Black Mirror,” too:
7. The Title
Think its obscure? Weird? Non-sensical? Trust me. It is very much sensical. Take a second and turn off, lock, put to sleep whatever you are reading this on and you will very much get it. The black mirror in the title is the same one as the black mirrors in our lives. The Netflix excerpt describes “Black Mirror” as, and as the title very much hints at, a show revolves around the idea of “The sleek world of tomorrow offers opportunities beyond our wildest dreams. At a price out of our worst nightmares.” The title is so clever and perfect and I love it. “Black Mirror” is such a perfect title, it makes too much sense. Charlie Brooker stayed very true to the true focus of the show in every episode which can be hard to find in television today with all of the “filler” episodes in between the season premier and the season finale.
6. The show is based in the future ...
“The sleek world of tomorrow” is always a tempting concept to any audience member. It is always exciting to see what the future holds. And let me tell you, some of the products and services are so fascinating. Furthermore, it is the future of our world. I’ll give you one example of both points. One episode predominately focuses on Autonomous Drone Insects (or ADIs) modeled like bees. ADIs are futuristic and help play out a scenario where the bees DO go extinct.
5. ... but not the too distant future
The show revolves around advances in science and technology, but it isn’t too complex or outrageous that we as an audience can’t believe it, can’t relate to it. There are still everyday people waking up, going to work, making everyday life decisions and wasting time on Twitter. There just may be some tweaks in how they go about their lives like living on a system of credits rather than money or having an implant that allows you to watch memories in real time. It is those elements that captivates us and (according to “Black Mirror”) ultimately destroy us. Very much believable. Very much enticing.
4. The episodes
Back to the whole “I think Charlie Brooker stayed very true to the true focus of the show” thing. Each episode in the series is within the same universe, but very much independent. You can watch any show in the series without needing to watch every episode before it. Each episode crafts its own story, its own characters, its own unique perspective on the theme of the show and it happens from scratch. All of the episodes are very much their own arc, but they are all amazing in their own right. “Black Mirror” keeps it fresh, new and exciting for the audience with every episode.
3. The set
As each episode in “Black Mirror” tells its own story, the details of every story is going to be different. One of the best parts of “Black Mirror” is its unique setting for each story the show shares. There are currently 13 episodes and 13 different locations. Each episode requires its own location, its own set. And these sets are anything but simple. We’re talking about everything from an Irish country home to the residential equivalent of a national park to a modern day Britain. Each episode has a unique setting that plays an integral part to each story. Quite different from the same hospital you look at when watching an season of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
2. The cast
Even more so, every episode has a different cast. Apart from what I’ve dissected from the IMDB page, plus what I’ve seen firsthand binge-watching, nobody has been in more than 1 episode. “Black Mirror” has invested so much into unique settings AND unique casts? It is extremely impressive to see the production team investing so much into many different aspects of the show, its like they want to impress us as an audience. You’ll no doubt be impressed with the consistent talent each unique group brings.
1. Jon Hamm
If none of the previous 6 points haven’t sold you on watching “Black Mirror,” 2016 Golden Globe winner for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama Jon Hamm certainly will. There is an aptly named Christmas special titled “White Christmas” where Jon Hamm will leave you floored at the end of the episode. He is an amazing actor that will have you wanting more. The best part is, you can start with “White Christmas” without having seen any other episode. Jon Hamm has a way with drama and you would agree if you’ve ever seen “Mad Men.” If not, you should know he has a sense of direction and purpose whenever he speaks and it makes his performance that much better in conjunction with his sense of humor and charismatic persona.
If you’re looking for something to pass the time on your Winter Break or a show to dive into and obsess over, “Black Mirror” is the show for you. It is a unique twist on anything remotely technologically focused and has a different story-telling paradigm that you can’t get from any other show right now. Each episode is as insanely compelling as the last, and by the time you finish “Black Mirror” you’ll be dying to know what zany ideas the next season holds.
