Black Mirror

[afleitch]

The second series of this amazing tv show by Charlie Brooker has just started. If you haven't seen the first series do so.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mirror_%28TV_series%29

[Lief 🗽]

I just watched the first episode of season 1, really fantastic. Can't believe I'd never heard of it until now. I'm very excited to see the next few.

[justfollowingtheelections]

I thought this was about the Arcade Fire song.

[Хahar 🤔]

I always do think of the Arcade Fire song when this show is mentioned.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I didn't get round to watching it last night, but that's no longer such a huge issue.

Second episode of the first series was particularly good (and I'd think that even if it wasn't obviously influenced by Cold Lazarus to some extent).

[Paul Kemp]

I thought this was about the Arcade Fire song.

I always do think of the Arcade Fire song when this show is mentioned.

Yep.

[afleitch]

I didn't get round to watching it last night, but that's no longer such a huge issue.

Second episode of the first series was particularly good (and I'd think that even if it wasn't obviously influenced by Cold Lazarus to some extent).

To me that was the most stark. The film rights to the third one (The Entire History of You) have been snapped up by Robert Downey Jr so that's interesting. The National Anthem with Kinnear and Duncan was probably my favourite and disturbingly, the most 'likely' of the three.

Last nights was eerily touching but you ended up with less empathy for the main character than perhaps you should have.

[Leftbehind]

Yeah, the second episode of the first series made the biggest impression, but I've enjoyed all of them (including the latest).

[Eraserhead]

I didn't think this was about the Arcade Fire song but I had hoped it was.

[Paul Kemp]

What exactly is the show about? I couldn't find a good summary any where. The only thing I gathered was that it was similar to "The Twilight Zone" and an anthology series?

[Lief 🗽]

Yeah, it's basically a 21st-century Twilight Zone, with some satirical/dark comedic elements. Each episode is a completely different story in a completely different setting.

[Paul Kemp]

They've started airing the episodes on Audience (I think it's a DirecTV channel?). I caught the first episode last night. Pretty excellent and disturbing. The next episode looks like it's about some strange Running Man/American Idol hybrid concept...

[Paul Kemp]

Wow "The Entire History of You" was incredible.

I can only imagine Hollywood will screw it up now that they have the rights to that story, unfortunately.

[Paul Kemp]

How do you guys rank the episodes?

For me:

1. The Entire History of You
2. Be Right Back
3. The National Anthem
4. The Waldo Moment
5. White Bear
6. Fifteen Million Merits

[Mr. Morden]

*bump*

Anyone else watch the Christmas episode?

Also, the first six episodes are apparently available on Netflix in the USA now.

[rpryor03]

I thought this was about the Arcade Fire song.

I always do think of the Arcade Fire song when this show is mentioned.

Yep.

[Lief 🗽]

Also, the first six episodes are apparently available on Netflix in the USA now.

Ooh, nice, I never got around to downloading season 2.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Anyone else watch the Christmas episode?

Yes. Excellent.

[Türkisblau]

I just got around to starting the first season due to my brother's recommendation. Fantastic show with a bit of an eerie Twilight Zone vibe.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Christ, I just watched the Christmas episode. I wouldn't wish Spall's character's fate upon Hitler.

[Cory]

Sweeeeeeet. Gonna watch later this week after Christmas obligations.

[Famous Mortimer]

Most of Charlie Brooker's work is excellent.

He should have an end of the year retrospective "2014 Wipe" coming out soon and then probably, as he's done in the last 2 years, "Weekly Wipe" every week for the first 6 weeks of the year. Basically kind of like the Daily Show only more sarcasitc and he can't be bothered to do it 300 times a year.

Also, I strongly suggest everyone look up episodes of Screenwipe on Youtube. It was a documentary series (a couple dozen episodes) about the ins and outs of British television. I promise that even though it's completely irrelevant to Americans, you'll still find it very funny and rewarding.

[Famous Mortimer]

Indeed, 2014 Wipe airs on Tuesday at 10 on BBC2:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2014/52/charlie-brooker%E2%80%99s-2014-wipe

For those of you not in the UK, I'm sure it will be uploaded to YouTube within the hour after it's finished.

[afleitch]

Charlie Brooker's 2014 Wipe made the year again. Subversive bit in the middle that I don't think the BBC would have cleared.

[Famous Mortimer]

Here it is, haven't watched it yet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3EoNsGHZD0