Black Mirror- Netflix [** Spoilers **]

Bandana boy

watched the first two
first one was good although I am not a fan of Bryce , but felt second was awesome , ridiculously tense,a good performance from Kurt Russels Kid.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Just watched the first episode - loved it. I was a bit worried that this season would be too "American", but it still works. I'm very tempted to binge the whole six episodes tonight even though I'd promised myself I'd savour the season and at least spread it out over a week...

cumulonimbus

Latest season on Black Mirror has just become available on Showbox.
:cool:

cumulonimbus

cumulonimbus wrote: »

Latest season on Black Mirror has just become available on Showbox.
:cool:

First episode was a huge drop off on previous quality.

cumulonimbus

I liked 'Playtest' - the one where the tourist signs up to test a game. But yea I agree, this season does not live up the previous seasons.

Edit:Just after watching episodes 5 and 6 (Men Against Fire and Hated in the Nation) - these are the best ones this season so far.

DubTony

I just watched the new season in 2 sittings, and while a couple episodes stand out for me, none had the same effect on me as earlier episodes, like White Bear and White Christmas (there's something in the ongoing horror of those two that really sticks with me).

Standout episodes for me were 3 and 6, although the satirical first episode is really clever and funny.

The twist in 3 actually

made my jaw drop, and the reveal in 6 is long and extremely well crafted. It's slow and soft to begin with,

and then smacks you when the whole truth becomes evident, which is pretty horrifying.

(definitely one for the keyboard warriors to think about ).

All in all, a good series. The only disappointment for me is that it wasn't the 12 episodes that Netflix commissioned. But at least there are more to look forward to sometime.

Unearthly

Episode 4 San Junipero

the first half of the episode I wasn't feeling it and frustrated about what the hell what was going but by the end I loved it. A nice change to have a happy ending and I'm a sucker for cheesy 80's pop. I think this could be the most divisive episode of the season as I can see some people rolling their eyes. The ending worked for me cause you were expecting a horrible ending for Yorkie and Kelly

The Black Oil

Would I follow this if I jumped straight in? I've never seen it.

Basq

The Black Oil wrote: »

Would I follow this if I jumped straight in? I've never seen it.

Yeah, each episode of Black Mirror is a standalone story.

Basq

The first three episodes were great so far... third one is a standout - fantastic stuff!

Gotta say if we got those three in a standard Channel 4 run of Black Mirror, I'd have been very impressed.

Still 3 to go.. heard real good things about episode 4.

iguana

All I could think while watching the first one was MeowMeowBeanz.

Hande hoche!

Stand out episode for me was Shut up and dance. Watching Men against fire, was reminded of the 5th Wave.

Basq

San Junipero, while slightly more conventional, was lifted by 2 truly superb performances and a banging soundtrack of 80's pop!

Brooker has outdone himself.. 4 very different episodes so far, but each one very well written.

Snake Plisken

I had to take a break after episode 3 that was damn intense!

Snake Plisken

Basq wrote: »

San Junipero, while slightly more conventional, was lifted by 2 truly superb performances and a banging soundtrack of 80's pop!

Brooker has outdone himself.. 4 very different episodes so far, but each one very well written.

Really enjoyed San Junipero

I want to be uploaded to there when I die:D

Arghus

I've watched the first three so far. May have to take a day or two off. As much as I like the show, it's bleakness can wear you down if you watch a few episodes back to back.

Of the three I've seen so far, none have been bad and there's been great moments in each.

However, I did think that the first was probably the weakest; it took a moderately clever idea and stretched way beyond breaking point, for me.

Episode two struck me as perhaps ending a little too neatly, but, once it got going, it had moments of horror and tension that'll haunt me this night after I turn off the lights.

Episode Three was the highlight so far - a pretty straightforward idea, but executed well, and the episode had a sense of downward spiraling momentum that kept me hooked. I thought the central performance from the young actor, playing "our hero" was immense. He played that panicked fear spot-on, and the eventual revelation that comes along makes you assess his acting up to that point in a new light.

Side issue, perhaps, but I am continuously mystified why Online TV has it's own sub-forum - It's all television as far as I'm concerned. Seems like an entirely redundant distinction to make between one content delivery system and another, who essentially trade in the same thing.

DivineMsM

Watched 4 so far. Loved Ep 3.
But I while I find them compelling viewing, also slightly uncomfortable in the pit of my stomach. Which is obviously his intention. Think I need a couple nights off before I watch the last 2.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Pretty much agree with everyone's thoughts on episode 3, Shut Up & Dance - very very good.

I'm glad I decided not to binge this, because you definitely need time to let every episode sink in, especially if it's particularly grim.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to watch the other 3 over the next few nights.

Ciaran_B

I thought San Junipero was the best episode of BM they'd ever done. I was almost welling up as the credits rolled.

Basq

Ciaran_B wrote: »

I thought San Junipero was the best episode of BM they'd ever done. I was almost welling up as the credits rolled.

Yep, excellent. And Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" was an inspired choice too.. in more ways than one obviously!

irishash

I am really surprised by all the good reviews for Ep 3 - Shut up and dance - as I read a review for the entire series which stated the following:

Shut Up and Dance is a plain disaster a would-be blackmail thriller marred with tensionless journeyman direction, and a curious lack of ambition compared to the scale seen elsewhere.

The same review also thought Ep 1 - Nosedive - was one of the weaker episodes aswell, but I enjoyed that story a lot, so I guess the reviewer and I have different tastes.

Playtest (Ep 2) was fantastic and one I will watch again to spot every little nuance I missed before in the first viewing.

I will be watching Shut up and dance later tonight.

Basq

^ Haven't watched the final 2 yet, but episodes 3 ("Shut Up And Dance") and 4 ("San Junipero") were my favourites to far.

Unearthly

The great thing about black mirror is that an episode you might find great, another person might find underwhelming. Not like a traditional tv show where generally everyone likes the finale best. There should be at least one episode that suits everyone.

Some of the criticism for episode 3 I've seen is that it's message is weak compared to others.

My least favourite was episode 5.

Nervous Wreck

I thought episode 4 was pretty boring tbh...

irishash

Just finished "shut up and dance" - sweet jebus that was bleak.

pickarooney

Basq wrote: »

Only watched the first episode so far.. but it was very enjoyable!

Anyone else twig James Norton (of Happy Valley fame) playing her brother?

Couldn't place him. Kept thinking it was Matt from Friday night lights.

Snake Plisken

Basq wrote: »

^ Haven't watched the final 2 yet, but episodes 3 ("Shut Up And Dance") and 4 ("San Junipero") were my favourites to far.

Ditto they were my favourite so far still have last two to watch might save the for the weekend

Arghus

A few thoughts on Episode 4: Pretty impressive stuff really. Although it wasn't always as purely entertaining as some of the previous episodes - particularly the nerve shredding Episode 3 - I was extremely glad to see a change in the established formula of people having their whole world thrashed, thanks to their own mistakes and unfeeling technology run riot.

It was great to see an Episode of the show that wasn't afraid to deal with real human emotions and concepts like loss and longing, without sacrificing it's commitment to heady ideas. And I'm doubly glad because, as well as the ending being a compassionate change from the norm, it didn't feel cheap - it gave proper closure to the story. Proper grown up storytelling yo.

Black Mirror is bloody great in fairness. You just don't know where each hour is going to take you and it's remarkably consistent; even the semi-weaker episodes are still light years ahead of 90% of any other muck I've watched recently.

Frank O. Pinion

I was underwhelmed by the last two episodes, Men Against Fire and Hated In The Nation. I didn't hate them but thought the first four episodes were much better. Especially the finale, as I knew it was 90 minutes and expected something a bit more epic. Overall though, a great season of interesting ideas.

Savman

I can't complain about any episode as I'm just happy there is a show like this in existence!

The Black Oil

Basq wrote: »

Yeah, each episode of Black Mirror is a standalone story.

Just watched 1.01 which was bizarre, but very good. I now see why Charlie Brooker tweeted about the pig thing. :eek:

Also Starring LeVar Burton

The Black Oil wrote: »

Just watched 1.01 which was bizarre, but very good. I now see why Charlie Brooker tweeted about the pig thing. :eek:

You lucky sonofabitch - I would love to be watching the series from the beginning with fresh eyes. There are some absolute gems in there...

den87

The Black Oil wrote: »

Just watched 1.01 which was bizarre, but very good. I now see why Charlie Brooker tweeted about the pig thing. :eek:

Same. Said id give it a go yesterday, ended up watching 3 in a row.

The Black Oil

den87 wrote: »

Same. Said id give it a go yesterday, ended up watching 3 in a row.

Wasn't so sure about 1.03, but it may in fact have been the most unsettling of the first series.

den87

The Black Oil wrote: »

Wasn't so sure about 1.03, but it may in fact have been the most unsettling of the first series.

Had to watch 1.03 in two parts because the main character REALLY annoyed me at first but then when i went back to finish i thought "hmmm id act a bit similar in this situation" and found it really compelling and a tad unsettling as well.

Snake Plisken

Ok finished episodes 5 & 6 really enjoyed them both episode 5 is probably what the future soldiers will use as tech which is scared
Episode 6 is basically a Detective catch the killer gave me the vibe of say Luther, really fantastic Kelly McDonaldi is great as the lead technology and again like the first episode revolves around social media!
Now I like a few others have to go and watch season one and two for the first time! Well done Charlie Brooker and Netflix for this series!

Nervous Wreck

I thought 3.06 was pretty crap. There wasn't much original about it; just seemed like a standard cop drama with a little twist...

johnpatrick81

First 4 have been very impressive. 4 was kind of meh up til the last 20 minutes where it all came together, almost making a rewatch compulsory.

3 was bloody grim. I'd say it provoked a few people to do what the main guy did with the Blu tack

1 was as many said already, a great idea stretched a bit too far, but in a really nice shell. Still very much recommended viewing though, as was 2 which is probably the closest to a straight up horror.

Stoogie

Play test was a brilliant piece of horror, slick and unpredictable with a lovley build up.
Was trying not to go to IMDb to see who the tech savvy cop in episode 6 was but gave up.

Snake Plisken

Stoogie wrote: »

Play test was a brilliant piece of horror, slick and unpredictable with a lovley build up.
Was trying not to go to IMDb to see who the tech savvy cop in episode 6 was but gave up.

Her name is Faye Marsay
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5709236/

iguana

I've just watched 4 so far. I found San Junipero a bit boring to watch as I thought the middle dragged before the reveal of what the situation was then it just hurtled toward the end so the character development felt rushed. But it's stayed with me for the last few days, I guess as it's pretty much the most earth shattering of the concepts from any of the episodes

(a sort of immortality)

yet not especially far fetched in the near future. And if it was something eventually on offer to us it would be so bitter sweet because

we lived our lives expecting an eventual death and as the first wave of adopters we'd have to 'live' that immortality without the people we lost before it was available. An especially difficult prospect if you outlived a child.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Took a break for a few days because I really want to savour the new episodes and not just rush through them for the sake of being caught up, but just finished San Junipero and it's easily my favourite Black Mirror so far - I can understand why it's an episode that won't be everyone's cup of tea, but for me it just hit all the right notes (pun intended)...
3x04

There was enough intrigue in the first half that kept me guessing what was actually happening while keeping me entertained with the music, fashion and pop culture of yesteryear. Even though I kinda guessed early on it was some sort of afterlife, once they actually got into the "reveal" part of the episode I was really intrigued by the premise - as a huge fan of music (80s music doubly so) and time travel I want them to start working on this for real. The fact it's the only episode that has a happy ending, I'm especially behind the idea, and usually the reason I love Black Mirror is that I completely agree with the message that technology is getting out of control. Anyway, loved it, and needless to say I'll have Belinda Carlisle playing on repeat for about a week now.

johnny_ultimate

I'm not the biggest fan of the show - I often appreciate the concept and intentions more than I do the execution. That pretty much carries on with season three. Most of the episodes play out rather predictably once you figure out what the given 'dark twist' is. There are sometimes great moments or performances in each (the final minutes of episode 3, for example, salvaged what was otherwise IMO a rather bland episode, or Kelly McDonald excelling in otherwise one of the weakest episodes of the series) and it undoubtedly addresses themes that are very welcome in a popular show (

episode 5's take on the dehumanisation of 'others' felt particularly relevant in 2016

). It's also a series plagued by unevenness, both in individual episodes and the very nature of an anthology series. This is even more pronounced in a six episode run.

The wild card in all this is San Junipero. It sticks out like a sore thumb in the best possible way. Easily the finest hour of the show to date, it takes the core 'technology is problematic!' thesis of the show in unexpected and very Human directions. What a different a little bit of compassion makes! There's been attempts at that before (the Atwell / Gleeson episode) but this is thankfully another level: confident storytelling that delivers its eventual reveals with grace and intelligence. It's not perfect by any means: the 80s scene-setting was particularly heavy-handed, although what happens later on allows that to make more sense. And certainly the refusal to play its cards until quite deep into the episode could understandably cause frustration. But overall its by far my favourite Black Mirror episode to date, and hopefully later seasons will see similarly unexpected breaks from the established formula and tone. It really is a series that can go anywhere it damn well pleases, which makes it a shame that despite the constantly fluctuating tone, casts, ideas and even aesthetic so many other episodes feel decidedly underwhelming.

Snake Plisken

Just finished Season 2 my favourite would be Be Right Back I think the two central characters made that work especially Domhnall Gleeson! Also really like White Bear which had a nice twist at the end, White Christmas was ok in parts I liked the Geek story at the start, least favourite was The Waldo Moment seemed like a weak story and under written. I still have Season 1 episodes 1 and 2 to watch.

Clampdown

I loved the new series. San Junipero was awesome and loved the soundtrack though it was confusing at first and then they had to basically explain the premise in the second half, but once you get it you realise it's amazing writing. Also thought Yorkie was lovely!

But I also really liked Nosedive, the pastel sets and costume design really worked and it might be my favourite, loved the ending where they weren't worried about ratings any more.

The scene in the beginning of Shut Up and Dance where he gives the kid the toy she forgot takes on a different light...

The last 2 were the weakest for me but still very good and had a potent message in each.

jcsoulinger

The netflix episodes were very hit and miss, San Junipero was the stand out episode for me it left me with an unsettling feeling that I wont soon forget. It also asked some very interesting questions about mortality. Nosedive was also very good, it had some great moments of levity that you would not expect from black mirror, the use of neutral colours to mirror the very agreeable nature of the people caught up in the likes game became almost nauseating in the best possible way the further the episode progressed.
Playtest was good up until the ending pulled the rug from under the whole thing, Shut Up and Dance was the opposite it was only ok through out but the revelation at the end made the whole thing allot more plausible
The final two episodes were the least entertaining, the last one being especially disappointing, I was hoping with the extra half hour they would finish on a high, but it didn't feel like a black mirror episode at all very boring altogether.
When its good its some of the best tv ever so I will be hoping for a series 4 sooner rather than later.

My opinion: it didn't hold up to the previous two series.

Play Test was a wonderfully well done piece of horror, Shut Up & Dance was horrifically bleak, and the first was very glossily well done.

But -- it kind of felt like it was more "look at the famous faces we have - look at the directors we have for each episode, hasn't our budget increased -- I mean -- we've computer generated bees" and I.. I don't know.. feel like Black Mirror's previous lo-fi sensibility on Channel 4 did it more justice.

Saint_Mel

Just finished S03 EP04 and wasnt impressed. Didnt realise what was happening untiil the

Quagmire

scene

and the guy said to check era's

. Although when it started and Yorkie was at the PacMan game, I immideately thought Halt and Catch Fire

Didnt see the twist in Shut up and Dance coming until the

forest

scene

when the other guy asks about the ages

So far though, overall I found Season 1 and 2 to be miles better than Season 3.

MadYaker

Just watched Shut Up and Dance, it was the first episode of this I've seen. Brilliant television. The ending played out to Radiohead's Exit Music (for a film) absolutely floored me! I don't understand how anyone could binge watch this, it's heavy stuff. Plus I think the episodes will have more of an impact if you take your time between each one.

jcsoulinger

MadYaker wrote: »

Just watched Shut Up and Dance, it was the first episode of this I've seen. Brilliant television. The ending played out to Radiohead's Exit Music (for a film) absolutely floored me! I don't understand how anyone could binge watch this, it's heavy stuff. Plus I think the episodes will have more of an impact if you take your time between each one.

Yep, I stretched them out over a week, they are fairly heavy, but it's also because the storyline doesn't follow on like most TV shows, It makes the urge to binge less intense.