BLACK MIRROR Season 5: Unwrapping This Season’s Flaws & Strengths

Black Mirror makes its return after Bandersnatch (2018), the series’ first interactive film that brought a whole new meaning to mind-trickery and psychological thrills. Now on its fifth season, Black Mirror has three new episodes that divulge even more possibilities with its glimpse into a dark and twisted tech dystopian.

Created by Charlie Brooker and produced by Annabel Jones, Black Mirror has done wonders in its efforts to bring awareness to the world about the advancements of technology and how much it has consumed our lives, with details of futuristic concepts that both intrigue and unnerve viewers. However, this season has had mixed opinions, being compared to previous seasons and not quite hitting the bar that has been set. I would not say that the fifth season is bad, just lacking that extra punch that we have seen in past seasons. Although, I found myself enjoying each of the three episodes in some degree.

The themes of this season include a more realistic approach to technology as the devices used within each episode detail a more present time of our world and society. This sets a more grounded and believable tone for each episode. I also picked up on subtle hints of the role loneliness played this time around, how detached humans can be from the world around them because there is a whole separate world disposable at the tap of some buttons on a screen. I have always felt Black Mirror brought the importance of this message home, however, I feel it took on a heavier toll in these three compacted episodes, striking the note deliberately. In doing so, this highlighted the insatiable addiction that technology evokes, how it can take a dark and dangerous turn.

Season 5 may have brought a softer edge in a more definitive tame light, but still seeps potential. This analytical review will contain spoilers as I hope to delve into each episode, strip it down for what it is, what it represents, and how it reads. Now, without further ado, let’s jump right into it.

Striking Vipers: VR Hookups and Exploring Sexuality

Striking Vipers begins with a young couple, Danny Parker (Anthony Mackie) and Theo (Nicole Beharie), in a relationship complete with recognizable chemistry. Then enters Karl (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), Danny’s erratic best friend. We are immediately introduced to Striking Vipers, a video game based on street fighting with eccentric avatars and colourful visuals.

Fast forward 11 years and Danny and Theo are married with a son, living a normal family life. During a wholesome family barbecue for Danny’s birthday, Karl shows up unannounced with a special birthday gift for Danny. He reveals a VR version of their favourite video game, Striking Vipers X, complete with a matching disc that attaches to one’s temple for a full immersion experience. Despite Danny being a family man and Karl’s objective to find a young girlfriend, Karl searches for further company online that night, requesting to play Striking Vipers with Danny.

The game is incredibly interactive as it takes current virtual reality to a full body, full mind experience. In real life, Karl and Danny are limp and unresponsive and have been fully immersed, taking form as their selected avatars; Danny as the character of Lance and Karl as Roxette. The selection of these avatars are the same since they first started playing the game, the reason they are so attached to these players is unknown, but perhaps it’s just familiarity. It’s refreshing to see a male character select a female avatar, especially in the setting of this game.

After their virtual battle, Karl plants a passionate kiss on Danny and the line of their friendship is crossed. It’s unexpected at first but the subtleness of Karl and Danny’s complicated relationship points to this burst of confidence through a video game where every boundary is permeable. After a feverish make out session, Danny freaks out and exits the game. However, the wedge has already been driven between him and Karl and that urge is yet to be satisfied.

Karl and Danny meet up constantly and urgently, never questioning what it meant. I found it interesting that they enforced an affair through virtual reality and perhaps this was done just to further the advancements of technology, but I also feel it acted as an escape. Karl and Danny could meet up without judgement inside the game and experiment without the pressure of reality.

What’s nice is that they don’t label themselves for what they’re feeling, it’s just an opportunity to explore their sexuality through the safest place they can find. An interesting scene is when their characters, Roxette and Lance are cuddling on a bench. Danny questions Karl about what it feels like to be a woman while having sex and the different physical feelings along with it. Karl describes it as a more explosive experience and it appears he prefers to have sex through Roxette. This scene was short but symbolized the full exploration of sexuality and the physical intimacy of sex and relationships through the dynamic of Danny and Karl.

Back in the real world, Theo begins to fret that Danny doesn’t want her and blames her body, which causes Danny to think that he shouldn’t throw his marriage away for virtual sex. Despite Danny’s attempts to return to his original routine, he finds himself being pulled back into the world of Striking Vipers and Karl. After one final game, Karl confesses his love for Danny. Not understanding what this means, Danny demands they meet in real life. Once they’re in a secluded parking lot, they decide to kiss to determine whether their feelings are real or just fabricated through the game. Once they kiss, they act as if it means nothing before getting into a heated argument before ultimately fighting. From there, the episode takes an unexpected turn once Danny presumably tells Theo about his virtual affair.

Admittedly, this episode was a roller coaster of emotions with quick-witted humour and interesting concepts, however, it was not my favourite episode of the season. I did enjoy this new perspective on exploring sexuality, especially with the virtual reality twist that offered a bit more excitement. Despite the general lack of pizazz, this episode demonstrated concepts of gender fluidity and a range of sexual orientation without labelling the characters, an element I rather enjoyed.

Smithereens: Dark Take on Distracted Driver PSA

Smithereens was the most intense episode of this season with its urgent plot and desperate tone, detailing the events of a driver and his hostage. This story questions the addiction people develop to the needs and wants of technology and how powerless it makes an individual. Chris Gillhaney (Andrew Scott) is a driver obsessed with one particular goal, find an employee who works for Smithereen so he can get a chance to talk to Billy Bauer (Topher Grace), the creator. Seems like a frivolous objective, something miniscule. However, the plot thickens when Chris abducts a Smithereen intern, Jaden Tommins (Damson Idris) and holds him hostage. Things inevitably spiral out of control and Chris is faced with a rapidly enclosing police force and a short window of time to get his chance to say his piece.

Scott’s performance is what puts this episode at the top for this season with his potent and erratic energy. His ability to channel the character’s raw anger and grief channelled the otherwise complex character of Chris, a desperate man looking for his opportunity. Scott keeps the audience on their toes and forces them to question what sort of manic thoughts are coursing through his brain, behind the wildness of his eyes.

Smithereens revolves around the existence of Smithereen, a social media app that feeds the hungry consumers their addiction to tech and online fantasy, which is accurate to today and how people build personas over the web to intrigue other people. Social media has its benefits but the consequences to be reaped are far more grave than anticipated. Social media apps like Smithereen spread fast, like a virus, entrapping everyone who touches it.

This entire episode is a mental goose chase to determine what Chris is exactly looking for, what he needs in order to bring the madness to an end. Despite abducting Jaden and becoming a threat to police, the entire epidemic is broadcasted online where millions of people can tune into a life or death scenario. It is not unlike the atmosphere of our world now with everyone invested in other people. This is precisely what Chris has an issue with, everyone is connected to their phones like mindless zombies and never look up. This inner turmoil stems from his past mistakes when he was the cause of his fiance’s death at the hands of distracted driving. Chris simply looked at a notification on his phone and his life was over in a blink of an eye.

Chris just wanted to be listened to, waiting for the right time to share his story with Billy Bauer and let the weight on his chest be lifted. Throughout the episode, Smithereen employees are tuned into Chris’ confessions and beyond that, yet again proving how advanced and entwined technology is.

After a harrowing hostage situation, Chris is ready to let Jaden go and presumably commit suicide. A blur of action takes place where Jaden fights for the gun so Chris does not give up on his life when police fire shots into the car. The ending is unclear, who gets shot is never confirmed but by the reactions of those involved (unchanged and blank) we can assume Chris dies at the mercy of police.

This episode was by far the best of this season because it had a significant amount of surrealness and anticipation that past Black Mirror episodes have produced. It had a deep impactful meaning and built connections between multiple people in the span of an hour. The plot created relationships and a powerful response to its raw events all while demonstrating the devastating repercussions of distracted driving, a message relevant to the modern world.

Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too: Familiar Pop-Star but with More Angst

The third episode of Black Mirror’s fifth season comes off as a more sadistic version of a conventional teen film or something you may watch on Disney Channel. Perhaps this is because Miley Cyrus portrays another wigged pop-star with millions of adoring fans in Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too.

Despite the characteristics of this episode depicting a more light-hearted and adventurous rescue mission, there are a few entertaining elements that make it worth a watch. For example, Rachel (Angourie Rice) and Jack’s (Madison Davenport) father is a rat exterminator formulating a humane alternative to killing rats. Who knew this innovation would aid the girls in saving Ashley O, Rachel’s idol.

Fast paced with a multitude of ideas incorporated into masses of action, this episode also includes heartfelt moments that endorse a sense of belonging. Ashley O, played by Miley Cyrus is a depressed pop-star struggling with the overpowering demands of her controlling aunt/manager. This factor is ironic when you examine the plot and how the robotic dolls of Ashley O depict the restraint the real Ashley suffers, being told what to do and how to act. Despite the crazed bravado, Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too explores the world of technology and how it can be used to create robots with minds of their own, how to steal memories and thoughts from one’s brain and the power of versatile holographic performers.

The episode itself is mentally stimulating and dives into the world of celebrities and AI (Artificial Intelligence) to fill the gaps in a lonely girl’s life. The episode retaliates with scenes that show people are people and the differences found between us are what forges a familiar component of understanding and acceptance.

Cyrus performs admirably as a star hovering on the edge of death looking to start a rebellion and Davenport and Rice contribute with their realistic portrayals as sisters with a tested yet unbreakable bond.

Black Mirror Season 5: Conclusion

Black Mirror’s fifth installment in the anthology series vary in style, mood and recognition, yet share a new outlook on human relationships affected by technology. Each story represents how people are impacted by the technology they interact with and how that influenced the course of their friendships/relationships altogether. Even though Season 5 did not meet expectations of past seasons, there was hidden potential within these three episodes that brought their own concepts of nostalgia, defining relationships, learning from mistakes and utilizing opportunities to reach beyond the expected. There was a simple willingness behind each crafted episode and an element of care that could go unnoticed. Black Mirror’s fifth season rang in a new era of confidence and dedication to exploring the world of genre when it comes to creating impactful pieces.

What has been your favourite season, or episode, of Black Mirror so far? Let us know in the comments below!

Season 5 of Black Mirror was released by Netflix for streaming on June 5, 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bVik34nWws