Nosedive

This episode of Black Mirror is notable for its sharply satirical tone as opposed to bleak subject matter. In that regard, it has a different feel, but not a different tenor (unapologetic cynicism), from all of the other episodes. This one is played more for dark humor than for gut-wrenching tension and surprising revelations, and it is effective in that regard. By no means the best of the series, it was vastly entertaining, eliciting more than one gut-laugh.

Bryce Dallas Howard delivers a character we find shallow, inventive, ambitious, sympathetic, inspirational, and pitiful, often simultaneously. Two of the best performances I've seen in all of modern video have been delivered in Season Three of Black Mirror, and her work here stands side-by-side with that delivered in any other feature of note (Jerome Flynn's turn in "Shut Up and Dance" being the other outstanding role).

This is the exact kind of wake up call that we need today. I don't want to spoil anything, but it's such an artistic view of what happens to the world when social media is the center of our lives. It's amazing, and I totally recommend this episode.

Oh the irony of giving this a star-based rating. This episode was brilliantly acted by Bryce Dallas Howard, she gives an extremely well executed nuanced performance that makes you understand the subtle shifts in tones. This episode is by far a breath of fresh air with the comedic aspects that are included, and the satisfying ending giving some sort of "hope." Most "Black Mirror" episodes end in a very dull and mouth dropping way after revealing a big plot twist. The twist in this episode is that it ends refreshingly hopeful, and somewhat optimistic while still conveying a great message for society-no one is perfect, and we shouldn't spend our time trying to be something that isn't realistic, especially when it's for show. One can be fully realized through self actualization whilst being completely authentic. Authenticity is something that this episode explores, while showing you the downside to social media and its effect on society.

All I can say is wow!!!! This was as close to perfect TV as I can imagine and so relevant in today's social media/Instagram generation. Personally I think this should be shown in schools across the country to show the youth of today just how frivolous and shallow most of their lives are. More and more we are seeing what an image conscious society we live in. People are judged by the amount of social media contacts they have rather than actual people in their lives. People assume because your social media account is loaded with happy shiny pictures of people's supposed perfect lives that they tend not to look beneath the surface and see what is actually going on. The writing of this episode is phenomenal and it's social commentary is totally on par. Great performances all round also. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

I hope this never happens in real life. My rating would be really lame and I think I would go crazy.