6d ago

Black Mirror Question

I've watched season 1 through 6 and there definitely were more than one episodes that just left me feeling like crap... But there's so many incredible episodes intermixed, like San Juniperno, that has made me keep coming back.

Today I watched the first episode of season 7, Common People, and... I just can't. It's done me in.

I have a question for those who have watched the remainder of the episodes. Are there any episodes that end on any sort of positive note or are they all this dreadful?

Maybe it's just not for me anymore. I get the premise behind Black Mirror, but there is something about this episode that just kind of shoved me past a point that I'm not sure it's worth it for me to keep watching.

33 comments

Minor spoilers, I'll try not to give too much away.
Episode 2, Bête Noire, the episode ends in a positive note, but is more in the weird category in terms of endings.
Episode 3, Hotel Reverie, generally ends on a happy note however it has a lot of sad moments within the episode.
Episode 5, Eulogy, is probably the saddest episode of the season. It's also arguably the best. The ending I think is a positive one. It's a general theme of loss and closure.
Episode 6, USS Callister: Into Infinity, I think of you found the first USS Callister episode to end on a positive note then I would say the same applies here. They both end with a similar feeling.
- This is perfect and exactly what I was looking for. I knew someone could do this. I really appreciate you taking the time. Seriously. 💜
  
  My wife and I just watched the first episode last night as well and had the same reaction you did.. Hell of an episode to start the season..

Are you asking if an episode of a show named “Black Mirror”, one of the darkest bleakest most terrifying and true-to-life-as-we-live tv shows, which predicted so much of our current reality in the most real sense, ends in a positive light?! Seriously???
This is a “is you taking notes in a criminal conspiracy case??” level question.
Listen, I know you won’t like this, and I’m sure this comment will get downvoted to oblivion but there are shows that have happy endings, shows that supposedly renew our hope in our fellow humans and our species and shows that demonstrate how “novel” and “likable” we all are, or hope to be. But Black Mirror, ain’t it!! Seriously, if you want all that sappy kumbaya BS that every other show tends to aspire to, why not watch those other shows? Please leave just one show to how depraved self-serving self-centered and despicable humans are.
- I responded to a similarly comment here: https://lemmy.ca/comment/15880323

Black mirror is inspired by the great scifi anthologies such as the twilight zone, which themselves are an offshoot of scifi short story anthologies (as in books). The formula is pretty well established, you'll get a cold open, some rich world building based on technology, and, most of the times, a bleak and existential ending.
Sorry but that's kind of baked in the entire genre...
- Except for when it's not. And I love those episodes, hence the OP. See my comment here in terms of what I mean: https://lemmy.ca/comment/15880323

Did you just ask if an episode of black mirror ended on a positive note?
- I mean, San Junipero is a really amazing episode. Last season, Joan is Awful ended pretty well. Hang the DJ also.
  Black Mirror is what it is, but there are definitely some episodes with redemptive qualities in spite of the terrible technology the episode is centered on.
  I'm just curious if any of the episodes this season end that way.
  
  But whether an episode is "good" or "bad" doesn't depend on it ending on a positive note.
  
  Fair.
  Fifth one is pretty tame. Sixth one is okay.

Hmmm. I've always heard good things about this show, but yeahhhh, not sure I can bear to watch bleak things right now. Unless a couple of amazing things happen, but those are very unlikely.
- It's well produced and a lot of actors shine in these episodes. Some episodes are incredible. Most though... most may leave you feeling pretty miserable. With that said, I think the show is worth watching when there is a silver lining, hence my post.
  In all honesty though, you might be better off over all without watching. The world is pretty screwed right now and the futures envisioned with these episodes usually take it even further. (But not always... again... hence the OP).
  
  Yeah, I might wait for a happier time, haha. Thank you!

I'm anxious about watching them too. I loved the feeling of hopelessness and inevitability they left you with, but these days I'm just not ready for it. I think it's because we're all living with a standard baseline of that sensation now. It's not a novel, if unpleasant, feeling you get to experience for an evening after watching.
Not as intense, but basically the same as how war veterans with PTSD don't really want to watch Saving Private Ryan.

Oh I know the feeling! I just watched Arkangel of season 4, since that's where I left off. Half way through I asked myself why I'm doing this to myself. It's actually not a horrible episode, but in general Black Mirror is just leaving you with a very high quality depression.
- Haha. Exactly. There's something about it that makes you curious, but then... the whiplash.
  
  That's exactly the feeling I had about the handful of (maybe a dozen?) episodes I watched a couple years ago. First reaction: "I am so intrigued", followed up with a heavy "I am so depressed".
  I'm still curious about the rest of it... but it's so explicit and dark and just a drag... as interesting as it is, I don't think (for me) watching the rest is worth it.

Honestly I've struggled to get into it, or anything else bleak, since covid. I might just be depressed, though.
- The show can be bleak. Depression and bleakness can be a tough mix. Look out for yourself, friend.

I felt the same after the episode. We had to pause auto play and take 5 min to get back on track. The first episode of this season hits so hard because it feels so real and achievable I think. The next one is also dark but more in a this can never happen kind of way. I’ll continue watching. But I kind if love feeling awful after reading a story or watch a movie. I like being hit really hard with emotions.

I thought episodes 4 and 6 were top notch! Both were very entertaining and have the uncommon somewhat optimistic ending for Black Mirror.
- Awesome, thank you!

Watch the second episode.
- Is this a DumDummies request? 😰
  
  I mean, not gonna lie and say black mirror is for those seeking happy endings, but it does mix things up.

Why are you asking people for subjective opinions? Go ahead and read the summary and ruin whatever episode you want for yourself. I feel like this is mostly a request for a free therapist more than anything else. Sorry that TV shows are capable of making you "just can't"ing. That has to be embarrassing and socially crippling.
- Damn it, you figured me out. I feel like I've learned a lot about myself from this session. Thank you.

33 comments