Netflix's "Black Mirror"

[kevin87]

Originally Posted by SleeperAgent

Colin was the best part of the movie.

I feel like this went too far down the rabbirt hole. They gave us freedom to choose what happens, which in reality for a tv show/movie is groundbreaking. But by the end the main character was already preventing choices that we made from happening which feels like something that would be cool later on in this type of movie genres lifespan. Maybe it was just the paths I chose, but near the end the character barely listened to my choices, then eventually gave up and literally asked me what to decide.

Breaking the fourth wall was kind of inevitable, but it really wasnt done well. I really wish this didnt have the name Black Mirror attached to it. It kinda drags the whole series down.

They didn't really give you much freedom, it's all rigged to still end up basically the same way, or you reach a dead end and you have to go with another answer to get where they want you to go. As I said before, this isn't really a typical Black Mirror episode, there's no warning of how tech can one day hurt your life, it's kind of like 10 Cloverfield Lane and Cloverfield Paradox, would have been fine on their own but they just attached a brand name to it.

[LynxFX]

Originally Posted by kevin87

They didn't really give you much freedom, it's all rigged to still end up basically the same way, or you reach a dead end and you have to go with another answer to get where they want you to go.

People keep saying this like it is a bad thing. Those dead ends are one of the aspects of a choose your own adventure. They aren't forcing you to pick another answer, that is the only way to continue if you choose to. If you don't, then you can live with a 10 minute story that ended with Stefan making the game with the help of the game studio and ending up with a horribly rated game. The end...

[kevin87]

Originally Posted by LynxFX

People keep saying this like it is a bad thing. Those dead ends are one of the aspects of a choose your own adventure. They aren't forcing you to pick another answer, that is the only way to continue if you choose to. If you don't, then you can live with a 10 minute story that ended with Stefan making the game with the help of the game studio and ending up with a horribly rated game. The end...

It's not a bad thing, but I also don't think it's a good approach. It's a admirably concept but it would have been better with a cohesive storyline without giving the audience the illusion what they're doing matters or actually change anything.

[Bueller]

Originally Posted by kevin87

...this isn't really a typical Black Mirror episode, there's no warning of how tech can one day hurt your life...

I think technology is a nice glue for the series, but I'm fine with its prominence varying between episodes. It's hard to argue for a "typical" episode in a series like this. But even then, I think there's enough thematic elements in "Bandersnatch" to be Black Mirror-y enough.

It deals with our relationship with TV, and what entertainment is in general. Our curiosity with art, in knowing all the endings. It links our world with fictional ones, with our instincts (what we would do in a character's situation) often deciding how much we like a movie or show. It can be about relating to a character, the relief of a character smartly not going in there when you shout at the screen, "don't go in there!" It also deals with reviews validating a work.

For you to say "these choices are rigged," and dismiss it is a shame. You can also see it as a comment on screenwriting, or adapting a work. Maybe "choose your adventure" works as a book, but not as a video game-- or a film for that matter. Watching a normal movie, we are watching someone's creative choices- and sort of see it as true or real. We value "canon" but simultaneously have qualms when a show goes in a different direction. We ask why a character did x, and the real answer is the writer wrote it that way.

Maybe the message is that your choices aren't always the best.

Edit: After posting, I watched a video that eerily touched upon some of these points and themes I found from Bandersnatch.

Lindsay Ellis - Death of the Author

[jayman3]

Originally Posted by LynxFX

Someone made a flow chart of the all the decisions. Looks like there are some random moments. There is only one section that I couldn't get to because I never got the correct random event.

[Show spoiler]

EDIT: Here's a much better inforgraphic of all the endings.

https://imgur.com/Eoe1lo7

[KcMsterpce]

I read those books when I was a kid!

Then, I started playing video games. Lots and lots of them.
Also, there are those mini-movies where the audience can choose to vote for the next choice. Amazing, right?
So I don't consider this episode to be milestone achievement in any way whatsoever.

I liked two episodes of Black Mirror until I stopped watching after that Star Trek VR one aired. Really, Bandersnatch is a very boring gimmick. There is nothing original about this concept. At all.

[Heinz-Klett]

5th of June:

Black Mirror: Season 5 | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube

[Pondosinatra]

Oh good Lord....they've Americanized the show?

https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/15/enter...ler/index.html

Jesus wept.

[filmbuffTX]

They’ve used American actors in previous episodes. What difference does it make as long as the stories are interesting?

[jblank]

Only 3 episodes? Disappointing to the max. My wife and I love the show but this is a really disappointing bit of info. I fear the series is losing something and is going downhill.

[Mouse]

The whole series has been hit or miss for me. Some episodes are truly fantastic while others were just "meh". If this season only has 3 episodes then they better all be hits. But maybe they are just going with shorter seasons so they can release two seasons per year rather than making people wait an entire year.

[Blu Lemmy]

Looks like some bigger names are starring....so maybe that's where the budget has gone?

[Thomas Veil]

I don't think the only three episode thing is a big deal...it's kinda what the first two seasons were. Also Bandersnatch is sort of like a 4th episode and it took them longer than usual to do that one and I'm sure that threw everything off time wise.

Also William Bridges who does some of the writing for Black Mirror is doing an anthology show for AMC.

[therealjondoe]

That first episode is a trip.
Really got me thinking lol

I love Nicole Beharie, shes so cute.

[Ray Jackson]

I watched the first episode of the first season and decided that was enough.

...the pig humping was an issue for me.

[Louisville Slugger]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I watched the first episode of the first season and decided that was enough.

...the pig humping was an issue for me.

Aw man don't give up! The show gets a lot better. I almost did the same thing, but watched a few more episodes and was instantly hooked.

[Joeker]

I did not expect Striking Vipers to go down that road.

It was good ep tho. I liked the 2 ive seen so far. Just missing the Miley one.

[Heinz-Klett]

Striking Vipers was one of the worst, if not the worst Black Mirror episode so far. Just a bland relationship drama without a gripping premise, surprising turns, controversy, anything.

Smithereens was way better, but still without the usual food for new thoughts on certain issues, just a depiction of reality. Should be shown

[Show spoiler]in driving schools though

.

So what the first two episodes of season 5 did, was preparing me for a Black Mirror season completely lacking the Black Mirror vibe.

With that in mind, what I got in Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too was a highly entertaining satire on the music industry and its surrounding milieu. Hugh props for Miley Cyrus and the role she played, I loved it.
And I almost shat myself when one of my favourite bands, Idles, was mentioned.

[Pondosinatra]

Ok, thought the first episode was pretty good actually.

1) That wife is the best wife ever

2) That Asian babe.....daaaamnnnnn!!!!

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I watched the first episode of the first season and decided that was enough.

...the pig humping was an issue for me.

Dude. WTF!?!?!?!?

This is hands down one of the best shows on TV. Period. Yes some episodes are better than others, but overall the whole series is a trip.