this post was submitted on 13 Apr 2025
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27
Black Mirror Question (lemmy.ca)
submitted 3 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
33 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I've watched season 1 through 6 and there definitely were more than one episodes that just left me feeling like crap... But there's so many incredible episodes intermixed, like San Juniperno, that has made me keep coming back.

Today I watched the first episode of season 7, Common People, and... I just can't. It's done me in.

I have a question for those who have watched the remainder of the episodes. Are there any episodes that end on any sort of positive note or are they all this dreadful?

Maybe it's just not for me anymore. I get the premise behind Black Mirror, but there is something about this episode that just kind of shoved me past a point that I'm not sure it's worth it for me to keep watching.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Minor spoilers, I'll try not to give too much away.

  • Episode 2, Bête Noire, the episode ends in a positive note, but is more in the weird category in terms of endings.
  • Episode 3, Hotel Reverie, generally ends on a happy note however it has a lot of sad moments within the episode.
  • Episode 5, Eulogy, is probably the saddest episode of the season. It's also arguably the best. The ending I think is a positive one. It's a general theme of loss and closure.
  • Episode 6, USS Callister: Into Infinity, I think of you found the first USS Callister episode to end on a positive note then I would say the same applies here. They both end with a similar feeling.
[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Thanks again for this. It was really helpful.

Watched Eulogy in the living room and one of my kids was kids hard in the feels zone. I chose to focus on the positive and really liked the episode. They wanted to know if this was how Black Mirror always was, so we watched my fav episode of San Junipero. Goodness do I love that one.

Anyway, I really enjoyed all the rest of the season.

That first episode really hit me hard, so I was worried about the rest. Maybe it was bad timing. More likely that it just hit too close to home. Add in the advertising economy in real life and how it's everywhere, stealing your info, and blocking everything from any semblence of a good experience. It just got to me. I will never understand the irony in Netflix releasing this episode.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I will never understand the irony in Netflix releasing this episode.

I mean the hope is always that companies see it and then don't follow. Last season we had the super focused Netflix series episode, which I think only worked because it was also on Netflix.

But also companies are short sighted sometimes. I remember when the iPhone dropped the headphone jack and Samsung had a huge marketing campaign, "We have a headphone jack!". Then, 1 year later, they also dropped the headphone jack.

So I'd like to say society at large has learned from an episode like this. But I know at large we're pretty stupid, greedy, etc.

Also glad you liked Eulogy. It's the one that sticks with me the most out of the season. It can be viewed as horribly tragic and depressing, but I really think it touches well on closure. Yes, closure is painful, but it's also therapeutic. It can lighten the burden. It's ultimately a positive thing.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

You nailed it regarding closure and the therapeutic nature of it. That's exactly how I took it. Life throws a lot at people. We can't stop that. It's simply a byproduct of existence.

Sometimes closure is hard to find, so it was really nice to see that happen for someone. There are some things in my own life that still weigh quite heavy and it was nice to co-experience the feelings of Paul Giamatti's character.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

This is perfect and exactly what I was looking for. I knew someone could do this. I really appreciate you taking the time. Seriously. 💜

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

My wife and I just watched the first episode last night as well and had the same reaction you did.. Hell of an episode to start the season..

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

So freaking real, right? Gaa. Awful because it's too possible. Butttttt... As far fetched as some episodes can be, this is what the creators are aiming for. 😅

And so fitting because I had to recently drop Netflix and other services to crappy ad tiers because I can't afford them any more. In the end, we can live without these things. But this episode was making me so mad because it was literally life or death. And no talk of how the government was doing anything to stop it. Just too real.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

Very real and unfortunately the roadblocks the couple faced were very realistic to foresee. My wife was crying at the end and I was speechless.. We've all seen companies do the same actions, just in different contexts.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It's interesting because in an interview with the creator he mentions that one of the loose goals with this season was to highlight the positives with technology.

Looking at the first episode, the technology to save the wifes brain is amazing technology! She would be dead without it. The cost is so minimal it's an easy choice.

If course we know how the episode goes, but it is funny that at face value the technology is great, it's what happens next that is the downfall.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

The thought of subscriber based healthcare genuinely freaks me out.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Did you just ask if an episode of black mirror ended on a positive note?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I mean, San Junipero is a really amazing episode. Last season, Joan is Awful ended pretty well. Hang the DJ also.

Black Mirror is what it is, but there are definitely some episodes with redemptive qualities in spite of the terrible technology the episode is centered on.

I'm just curious if any of the episodes this season end that way.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Fair.

Fifth one is pretty tame. Sixth one is okay.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

But whether an episode is "good" or "bad" doesn't depend on it ending on a positive note.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Black mirror is inspired by the great scifi anthologies such as the twilight zone, which themselves are an offshoot of scifi short story anthologies (as in books). The formula is pretty well established, you'll get a cold open, some rich world building based on technology, and, most of the times, a bleak and existential ending.

Sorry but that's kind of baked in the entire genre...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Except for when it's not. And I love those episodes, hence the OP. See my comment here in terms of what I mean: https://lemmy.ca/comment/15880323

[–] gjoel 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Oh I know the feeling! I just watched Arkangel of season 4, since that's where I left off. Half way through I asked myself why I'm doing this to myself. It's actually not a horrible episode, but in general Black Mirror is just leaving you with a very high quality depression.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Haha. Exactly. There's something about it that makes you curious, but then... the whiplash.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

That's exactly the feeling I had about the handful of (maybe a dozen?) episodes I watched a couple years ago. First reaction: "I am so intrigued", followed up with a heavy "I am so depressed".

I'm still curious about the rest of it... but it's so explicit and dark and just a drag... as interesting as it is, I don't think (for me) watching the rest is worth it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

I'm anxious about watching them too. I loved the feeling of hopelessness and inevitability they left you with, but these days I'm just not ready for it. I think it's because we're all living with a standard baseline of that sensation now. It's not a novel, if unpleasant, feeling you get to experience for an evening after watching.

Not as intense, but basically the same as how war veterans with PTSD don't really want to watch Saving Private Ryan.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Honestly I've struggled to get into it, or anything else bleak, since covid. I might just be depressed, though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

The show can be bleak. Depression and bleakness can be a tough mix. Look out for yourself, friend.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

I thought episodes 4 and 6 were top notch! Both were very entertaining and have the uncommon somewhat optimistic ending for Black Mirror.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Awesome, thank you!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Hmmm. I've always heard good things about this show, but yeahhhh, not sure I can bear to watch bleak things right now. Unless a couple of amazing things happen, but those are very unlikely.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It's well produced and a lot of actors shine in these episodes. Some episodes are incredible. Most though... most may leave you feeling pretty miserable. With that said, I think the show is worth watching when there is a silver lining, hence my post.

In all honesty though, you might be better off over all without watching. The world is pretty screwed right now and the futures envisioned with these episodes usually take it even further. (But not always... again... hence the OP).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Yeah, I might wait for a happier time, haha. Thank you!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

I felt the same after the episode. We had to pause auto play and take 5 min to get back on track. The first episode of this season hits so hard because it feels so real and achievable I think. The next one is also dark but more in a this can never happen kind of way. I’ll continue watching. But I kind if love feeling awful after reading a story or watch a movie. I like being hit really hard with emotions.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Watch the second episode.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Is this a DumDummies request? 😰

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I mean, not gonna lie and say black mirror is for those seeking happy endings, but it does mix things up.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Thanks!