Black Mirror (Seasons 1-3; 2011-2014)
This TV series from the UK boast of its story being twisted much like Rod Serling's 'Twilight Zone' of the 60s. So far the first two seasons had 3 episodes of an hour each and the third one had only one episode.
It is set at various times in the future without appearing too much out of this world. The subject matter seems to be deeply thought provoking and questions the direction that we, mankind, as a race are heading to. Media and public involvement in decision making had taken the world to dizzying heights. 'American Idol' of reality show seem to have permeate people's day to day living. In one episode, it is the only reason for our existence. In most episodes, the female characters are the dominant strong one whilst their counterparts are weak and prone to indecisiveness.
S1E1. A lunatic man kidnaps the Princess to demand the Prime Minister to perform a bizarre sexual act. As the time ticks before the Princess' execution by the kidnapper, the Prime Minister's plan of action is all based on people's opinion based on real time live coverage by the media. The frenzy sways for and against the leader depending on people's sentiments on turn of events.
S1E2. People happen to be doing purposeless things, like riding a stationary bike, just to accumulate merit points which would in turn be used for them to qualify them to participate in an 'American Idol' type of talent show. During the course of their merit points accumulation, points are deducted by trivial reasons, like not watching a commercial. The organisers of the reality show are not really interested in finding talents. What they are really interested is to exploit their subjects to perform heinous acts that would just increase their viewers and in turn charge them too.
S1E3. In the future, computer chips are implanted at the back of the neck for people to rewind and reanalyse all their memories. It shows that it is better to erase all memories so that we can look forward to our future.
S2E1. When a young husband dies, his widow, who had not really lived a full life, cannot seem to say her goodbye to him. She subscribes to a new texting service provider which would respond to texts from next-of-kin as if it were from the deceased based the deceased's past social media activity. Soon that was not enough. She wanted to hear his voice. Alas, pop came another application. And hold behold, when that was insufficient, a full formed person came to fore. This replica is actually a mannequin who by DIY mail order can be self-assembled and brought to life by pouring the correct electrolyte and immersing the mannequin in the bath-tub! Pretty soon, the widow got bored with the replica and actually wanted to kill him!
S2E2. A lady wakes up with amnesia. She tries to pick up the pieces as the day goes on. There are people trying to gun her down for no apparent whilst others are more interested in taking photo shots of her with their mobile phones without lifting a finger to help her. She is finally aided by an unknown girl who is also hunted by assailants. Actually, the main character is an accomplice to a child murderer. She is just reliving the agony of her actions in a modern day amusement park. She is given medications to erase her memory and relives her life everyday as a hunted!
S2E3. The fixation of the public on popular culture and their aversion to politicians sees a cartoon character standing in a local election.
S3E1. Some time in the future, restraining order means not only being near the person but also unable to see the person (vice versa). The vision of the person is completely blanked and only appears as an apparition. A man is painfully stalking her estranged wife with whom he separated when she was pregnant is longing to see his child. When the wife dies, the blocking is undone and he realises that the child is not his after all. Other technologies available in the future include a special eye device where a third person can prompt the wearer what to say and do. Mind games are developed to make torture feel longer.
All the devices and fields that we fear may be detrimental to society is indeed turning them into zombies. Social media, trial by media, the craze with reality TV. the need for instant gratification, the obsession with taking photos make the future a crazy place to live in.
This TV series from the UK boast of its story being twisted much like Rod Serling's 'Twilight Zone' of the 60s. So far the first two seasons had 3 episodes of an hour each and the third one had only one episode.
It is set at various times in the future without appearing too much out of this world. The subject matter seems to be deeply thought provoking and questions the direction that we, mankind, as a race are heading to. Media and public involvement in decision making had taken the world to dizzying heights. 'American Idol' of reality show seem to have permeate people's day to day living. In one episode, it is the only reason for our existence. In most episodes, the female characters are the dominant strong one whilst their counterparts are weak and prone to indecisiveness.
S1E1. A lunatic man kidnaps the Princess to demand the Prime Minister to perform a bizarre sexual act. As the time ticks before the Princess' execution by the kidnapper, the Prime Minister's plan of action is all based on people's opinion based on real time live coverage by the media. The frenzy sways for and against the leader depending on people's sentiments on turn of events.
S1E2. People happen to be doing purposeless things, like riding a stationary bike, just to accumulate merit points which would in turn be used for them to qualify them to participate in an 'American Idol' type of talent show. During the course of their merit points accumulation, points are deducted by trivial reasons, like not watching a commercial. The organisers of the reality show are not really interested in finding talents. What they are really interested is to exploit their subjects to perform heinous acts that would just increase their viewers and in turn charge them too.
S1E3. In the future, computer chips are implanted at the back of the neck for people to rewind and reanalyse all their memories. It shows that it is better to erase all memories so that we can look forward to our future.
S2E1. When a young husband dies, his widow, who had not really lived a full life, cannot seem to say her goodbye to him. She subscribes to a new texting service provider which would respond to texts from next-of-kin as if it were from the deceased based the deceased's past social media activity. Soon that was not enough. She wanted to hear his voice. Alas, pop came another application. And hold behold, when that was insufficient, a full formed person came to fore. This replica is actually a mannequin who by DIY mail order can be self-assembled and brought to life by pouring the correct electrolyte and immersing the mannequin in the bath-tub! Pretty soon, the widow got bored with the replica and actually wanted to kill him!
S2E2. A lady wakes up with amnesia. She tries to pick up the pieces as the day goes on. There are people trying to gun her down for no apparent whilst others are more interested in taking photo shots of her with their mobile phones without lifting a finger to help her. She is finally aided by an unknown girl who is also hunted by assailants. Actually, the main character is an accomplice to a child murderer. She is just reliving the agony of her actions in a modern day amusement park. She is given medications to erase her memory and relives her life everyday as a hunted!
S2E3. The fixation of the public on popular culture and their aversion to politicians sees a cartoon character standing in a local election.
S3E1. Some time in the future, restraining order means not only being near the person but also unable to see the person (vice versa). The vision of the person is completely blanked and only appears as an apparition. A man is painfully stalking her estranged wife with whom he separated when she was pregnant is longing to see his child. When the wife dies, the blocking is undone and he realises that the child is not his after all. Other technologies available in the future include a special eye device where a third person can prompt the wearer what to say and do. Mind games are developed to make torture feel longer.
All the devices and fields that we fear may be detrimental to society is indeed turning them into zombies. Social media, trial by media, the craze with reality TV. the need for instant gratification, the obsession with taking photos make the future a crazy place to live in.
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