‘Black Mirror’ (Season 7) Review: The Tech is Dying Down
Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror is an anthology series that questions our everyday reality. We are surrounded by tech and are constantly reminded of the dangers of AI. I’ve been an avid watcher of this anthology series from its humble beginnings in the UK to Netflix, where it gained momentum and popularity with episodes like “Nosedive,” “San Junipero,” “The Entire History of You,” and so many more. The show used to shock me, but now it leaves me disappointed. The previous season was a mixed bag, with barely any episodes that left a memorable mark.
The new season only had two notable episodes, “Bête Noire” and “Eulogy,” which mix romance, heartbreak and gaslighting with a dash of dystopian technology that brings fresh new ideas and dark twists.
“Bête Noire”: The Power of The Mandela Effect
Have you ever lost certain memories or misremember certain events? Well, now you can with Black Mirror’s “Bête Noire.” When Maria (Siena Kelly), a confectionery developer, reunites with her old classmate, Verity (Rosy McEwen), at a taste test session at her company, her life turns upside down. But when Verity begins a new job at the same company, Maria slowly loses her sanity. She believes that Verity is behind it. Maria constantly forgets details of her life, and she has a hard time explaining why it is happening.
This episode is anxiety-inducing. At every corner, the writers are gaslighting their viewers, and it’s hard to keep up or catch the small details that are changing in front of our screens. The Black Mirror writers use gaslighting as a weaponised tool.
Maria’s descent from being a very well-liked employee to the villain delivers one of the best performances, as well as a fun and terrifying sequence of scenes where Verity plays the actual villain in front of Maria and the viewers. Her reality is drastically altered to fit Verity’s narrative, making it look like Maria is going insane day by day. It’s a terrifying episode that reveals a twist that will make you either fascinated or angry, depending on the viewer. Personally, I found it quite ridiculous.
“Eulogy”: Step Inside Locked Memories
When Phillip (Paul Giamatti) learns that his former girlfriend from many years ago had passed away, he receives a package. Upon opening this mysterious box, he discovers that this company is collecting memories for her funeral service. Reluctant to revisit these memories, he finds old Polaroids. He attaches the technology to his temple. It transports him inside the photographs to unearth the hidden mysteries of their relationship and eventual breakup.
“Eulogy” is an emotional journey that unravels into a heartbreaking reveal. It’s like a stage play with different acts that show how the characters’ relationship blossomed and turned sour. It shows a young man who looks back at his twenties, reminiscing on decisions that he made that eventually turned him into a lonely man with no one to love. It is one of the best episodes written in this season, even if it’s somewhat predictable. The episode takes you on a whirlwind emotional journey that leaves you with a bittersweet ending.
Even when Black Mirror returns with the dystopian tech and devastating stories, it just doesn’t feel the same anymore. It’s not as dark and gnarly as the show used to be, which used to make viewers question the excessive usage of technology. It’s not impactful.
Black Mirror used to be an anthology series that questioned everything, but it keeps making the same mistake of creating an underwhelming collection of stories every season. Perhaps, it is time for Black Mirror to shut down for good.
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