foamythefearsome

Quite the contrary in this episode, and it has turned into an emotional rollercoaster that makes me pray something like this will never happen to me.

What I like in particular about this one is that the characters are 'flawed' and therefore believable as actual people. If they had portrayed Ash as a saint, this would probably have much less impact. It perfectly visualizes the difference in mimicking someone's likeness, and being the same person. Its just holding on to something familiar that you're not ready to let go of, and the acting performances added greatly to that sensation.

Definitely not a feel-good or happy story, but a deep one that touched me.

This is a wonderful example of a piece of technology that would have many upsides and perks, but comes with obvious flaws that are displayed perfectly here. It's something I would consider useful/beneficial, but of which I know it'd be so bad for me if I were to use it as its going to make me paranoid.

You can feel the tension rise as they arrive at the party, and the nuances brought forth in replaying one's memories or changing viewpoints of the same situation gives it a very interesting dynamic. Add a creepy, slightly overexplicit guy to the mix and you have the perfect fuel for a paranoia nightmare.

What I also liked is the real-life parallel, as the 'grain' seems to be something so essential in life that it has become nigh impossible to live without; used in security, background checks etc.; and the decision not to have one seems to be met with resistance. Unrealistic, one might say, as it is just a gadget. But that's what they said about smartphones 20 years ago, so who knows...

All in all a fantastic digital concept that hits on many levels; its emotionally relatable and a somewhat frightening view of the future.

This was a really interesting take on society and how we're all becoming slaves to our jobs in a futuristic, exaggerated way where it feels like you are literally in a prison.

The concept was great and the nods to/parallels with our current way of life, focusing more on our digital selves and not having anything real anymore, and having to perform somewhere doing something exceptional to get out of your daily slump - its what Black Mirror does best.

I do however feel like a little more explanation would've suited the story here and would've made it stronger. In most other Black Mirror episodes I've seen, it was really easy to accept the 'status quo' as is, or it was explained clear enough/introduced properly. I feel that this lacked here; why do these people have to ride these bikes? Is it to generate energy for something large? Does everyone have to do this, or is this a specific layer of society that has to fulfill this puprose? There seems to be an age restriction (hinted at as someone went there once turning 21), but then where is everyone else? Obviously the talent show is how to get out of there, but is there not also a way to not have to get in there?

I think most of these don't have a direct answer as I feel like it's meant a as a parallel to the regular 'working class' with the people in yellow cleaning as a class even beneath that, but I think some explanation or introduction to that would have been nice.

I also think a little more character building would've suited the story here. Again, I think its meant to reflect how shallow we can be (i.e. Interaction with Swift who clearly likes him but who doesnt get a response, and then using what she taught him to woo someone else). Id have liked a little more romance building between Abi and Bing; with what we saw here, the ticket-donating feels kinda simp-like.

All in all this was a great story drawing a creepy, yet somewhat believable future parallel to society, that could've been a little better defined/explained.