jd_clark_and_associates

This is one of my favorite premises of any Black Mirror episode to date, especially given the current growing and ever evolving state of social media. This episode also creates one of the most realistic and immersive future settings (I wouldn't even mind a spin-off mini-series set in this universe exploring characters of different social rankings) and Bryce Dallas Howard is a fantastic protagonist that grows more likable and relatable as the episode progresses. This episode plays on the age-old "one bad day" theme to enjoyment of the viewer at the expense of Lacie. However, eventually we see how far one can fall in only a few hours and how much social rating costs in the future. My only real complaint about this episode has been a continuing theme throughout this season (with the exception of White Christmas), the ending. We are giving a glimpse into what some might see as a dark future, but really most people seem happy. So the flow of the episode is happy, slightly less happy, dark glimpse, happy ending. Maybe they should have just made it a few minutes longer or cut something else, but their needed to be a little bit longer at rock bottom, a little more darkness, before the hope and happiness at the end.