BLACK MIRROR: The Best Sci-Fi on TV Since Battlestar
At its worst, science fiction (or just speculative fiction) is a Hollywood CGI robot punch to the balls. At its best, it’s Black Mirror. Last weekend a friend of mine from the UK recommended Black Mirror to me and the next day, I sat through all three episodes of the miniseries while experiencing a revolving series of reactions: shock, nervous laughter, welling up, and cursing our society for the hubristic turds we are. Black Mirror also renewed a bit of my hope that clever, original sci-fi can be done on television again (albeit overseas) without taking the ideas and simply injecting giant action set pieces.
This three-part British series aired in December of last year and might hit BBC America if we’re ever so lucky. It was created by journalist and screenwriter Charlie Brooker – who I had never heard of before but my UK friend described as a bit like the British John Stewart. On the Wiki page for Black Mirror, Brooker explains the show better than I can, stating that “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.” He’s dead on. Each episode is a 45-60 minute sci-fi tragedy, with humans brought to their knees, betrayed by the technology we worship and misuse so much. Not in the “machines turn against their creators” way that’s played out and stale (all respect to BSG), but with gut-wrenching realism.
“The National Anthem:” Within the first couple minutes of the kick-off episode, I was squirming. We’ve seen how outlets such as YouTube and Twitter can turn the tides of public opinion and swiftly drive them in every direction. This episode takes that and drives it in a shocking direction. It paced like a political thriller, with the Prime Minister facing an unthinkable dilemma with only hours to make a decision. I will tell no more about this one, I’ll only say it doesn’t involve a meteor headed for Earth. it’s much, much worse. I hesitated to call Black Mirror “sci-fi” because this episode could take place today or tomorrow. The next two are more “hard” sci-fi.
“15 Million Merits”: I’ve never watched American Idol, but everyone I do know who has always says the same thing: I just watch the auditions, they’re hilarious. This episode centers around a version of Idol called Hot Shots, in which, like Idol, three fuckfaced judges build people up and tear them down like expendable entertainers. Everyone is restricted to a strict life of physical exercise and Wii-like activities. Taking part gains you credits, which can be used to buy food or, once you’ve saved 15 million, try out for Hot Shots. This one gets a little preachy towards the end, then recoups by showing how doomed our gimme-gimme society is.
“The Entire History of You:” This one hit me the hardest. It’s an emotional donkey punch that examines what our relationships would be like if everyone could record and play back every moment of their life – even project it onto TV screens to watch like any other show. This would be a fantastic technology for black-out drunks *tugs on collar*, but miserable for liars. Even those who tell little white lies. This episode was written by Jesse Armstrong, scribe of In the Loop and Four Lions.
If you’ve been hungry like I have for the next great sci-fi show after BSG, look no further than Black Mirror. Unfortunately, it’s only three episodes long and there are no plans to air in the U.S. (that I could find). But I looks like they’ve been uploaded to YouTube (ironic) and torrents are readily available as well. And if you’re wondering what the “black mirror” refers to, it’s that smartphone in your hand.
