Black Mirror is a British television anthology series that has gained a cult following in recent years. Each episode offers a new plot, characters, and themes, and acts as a commentary on today's society, particularly regarding the overarching influence of technology in our everyday lives. Episodes vary from comical and satirical, to introspective and melancholy, to horrific and gruesome in nature. Black Mirror excels in presenting relevant and thought-provoking stories that dig down to the bottom of human nature. This series is certainly not a quick, fun binge-watch, as it can be quite bleak and even depressing at times. But the show does one great thing: it makes you think. It presents dilemmas and situations that make you wonder how you would act in the character's place. It makes you think about what is really right and wrong, where the line should be drawn, and if today's actions can affect the future in unthinkable ways.
Each episode of Black Mirror is set either in an alternate reality or in a distant future, usually showcasing an increasingly technological world that has developed twisted and backward morals. A perfect example of this is Nosedive, an episode from season three, which has just been released on Netflix. It offers a bleak look into a world where social media has taken over people's lives. An app lets citizens rank and like others, and everyone is assigned a ranking based on their popularity. Higher rankings lead to bigger rewards and a better life while falling in popularity can have devastating consequences. This episode follows a woman's obsession with her popularity, and her eventual downfall (nosedive) as a result. Episodes like these show why Black Mirror is different from other shows of its kind. It takes a simple lesson, such as "be happy with yourself," and presents it in a clever way, allowing multiple interpretations for each viewer to take away.
Black Mirror's relevance cannot be understated. In a world of increasing technologies and integration, many are starting to wonder to what extent they should let these things control their lives. Various social media fanatics or video game addicts can look at the show and start to wonder if their activity is healthy if it is right. Why do I care so much about other people's opinions of me? Am I missing out on the real world by immersing myself in a pretend reality? These are the kinds of questions that Black Mirror wants its viewers to contemplate. Its episodes are outlandish and extreme, sure, but to some, their realities may be more realistic than they seem. The show wants to incite a healthy fear of the future, to raise awareness and make people contemplate the bigger issues of today's world.
