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Post by MorganBGone on Mar 21, 2017 20:17:35 GMT -5
I know a number of people on the site have watched this offering, available on Netflix. For those who have seen it, what did you think? Best episode? Worst episode? Do you recommend it to others?
Discuss your opinions here.
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Post by murph on Mar 21, 2017 20:30:18 GMT -5
If I can be a little pedantic? It's not actually a Netflix show - well, it is now, the new episodes are by Netflix, but originally it's a Channel 4 production, which is kind of obvious in a few ways. It's like, so Channel 4, really.
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Post by MorganBGone on Mar 21, 2017 20:36:06 GMT -5
I edited the OP, murph. Thanks for your input.
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Post by greaterpursuit on Mar 21, 2017 20:58:39 GMT -5
I've watched a number of episodes and enjoyed them, but I'm finding some of them plot retreads from similar classic shows like Twilight Zone and Outer Limits. The main difference, of course, is the emphasis on technology driving the stories.
That said, I'm enjoying them enough to continue with the rest.
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Post by murph on Mar 21, 2017 21:32:55 GMT -5
I edited the OP, murph . Thanks for your input. lol sorry, that wasn't really what I was trying to do. It's just that I think being a Channel 4 show is really significant in it being the show it is. Some Channel 4 actors, the format - its Christmas episode was literally a Christmas special, I think. The creator has had Channel 4 shows previously (and is a totally known TV/media personality) The controversy and the challenge of its material, its actual content - Channel 4 have a tagline of "Born Risky: Channel 4 was set up to take creative risks and put its profits back into programmes. We were born to experiment, born to challenge, born risky." All my opinions of it come with an add-on of 'It's such a Channel 4 show'.
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Post by MorganBGone on Mar 21, 2017 21:35:01 GMT -5
greaterpursuit, how far along are you in the series, and which one is your favourite ep so far? Acknowledging that I skipped a couple, I've made it through to the end. My favourites, I think, were White Bear and San Junipero, which are at completely different ends of the spectrum in terms of episode tone but were both well-written and well-acted, with interesting premises underlying them. By contrast vs the aforementioned episodes, Waldo was atrocious. Nosedive was perhaps a bigger disappointment, though, because the premise was stronger than the episode that resulted, IMO, whereas Waldo was just a terrible idea to begin with. Ultimately, it's the inconsistency of the episodes that is the biggest stumbling block for me (and the reason I was tempted to go with a 3 rather than a 4). Obviously, a series built on standalone episodes is going to have significant inter-episode variability; however, that variability in this case, as IMO was also the case with the Outer Limits, really detracts from a series as a whole because it's the quality, not just the tone and content, that varies. When each episode is in effect a mini-movie, quality has to be a primary thread holding the episodes together, and that thread is somewhat lacking. All that said, I will watch the next season when it comes out -- or at least parts of it.
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Post by MorganBGone on Mar 21, 2017 21:40:08 GMT -5
Thanks for that input, murph. Canadian that I am, I'm pretty solidly clueless regarding UK networks. The Channel 4 tagline is particularly illuminating where this series is concerned. lol Out of curiosity... What was the initial reaction to the series -- and especially to that 1st episode?
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Post by greaterpursuit on Mar 21, 2017 21:43:52 GMT -5
greaterpursuit , how far along are you in the series, and which one is your favourite ep so far? Acknowledging that I skipped a couple, I've made it through to the end. My favourites, I think, were White Bear and San Junipero, which are at completely different ends of the spectrum in terms of episode tone but were both well-written and well-acted, with interesting premises underlying them. By contrast vs the aforementioned episodes, Waldo was atrocious. Nosedive was perhaps a bigger disappointment, though, because the premise was stronger than the episode that resulted, IMO, whereas Waldo was just a terrible idea to begin with. Ultimately, it's the inconsistency of the episodes that is the biggest stumbling block for me (and the reason I was tempted to go with a 3 rather than a 4). Obviously, a series built on standalone episodes is going to have significant inter-episode variability; however, that variability in this case, as IMO was also the case with the Outer Limits, really detracts from a series as a whole because it's the quality, not just the tone and content, that varies. When each episode is in effect a mini-movie, quality has to be a primary thread holding the episodes together, and that thread is somewhat lacking. All that said, I will watch the next season when it comes out -- or at least parts of it. I've been approaching these much like a GA member would so I can't remember the episode titles, except for a few. lol I skipped White Christmas due to length (will watch that one later) but I've seen all the others up to the 2nd one in Season three. Nosedive was okay but I wasn't invested in it until towards the end when she hitched a ride with the older woman. I enjoyed White Bear but I've seen the same story played out in various series/movies throughout the years. The title of the last one I watched escapes me but it was the one about the male lead's fears about developing dementia, as his father did. Some freaky moments in that one (hate spiders), but overall, one of the more riveting entries.
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Post by MorganBGone on Mar 21, 2017 21:52:33 GMT -5
Playtest, greaterpursuit. I can't say it was my favourite, but I did find myself asking a lot of questions during the ep, which is likely a good thing. gumby713, care to comment on this one?
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Post by murph on Mar 21, 2017 22:11:42 GMT -5
I've watched a number of episodes and enjoyed them, but I'm finding some of them plot retreads from similar classic shows like Twilight Zone and Outer Limits. The main difference, of course, is the emphasis on technology driving the stories. That said, I'm enjoying them enough to continue with the rest. You're right about The Twilight Zone. The Twilight Zone is an inspiration behind it. "You look at the Twilight Zone and it's talking about communism, psychology, space travel, all these things which were contemporary concerns at the time. And that was, that's - that's kind of how that informed that side of Black Mirror - the sort of technological focus, or backdrop to our stories... ...Another thing that I like about those shows: The Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, House of Horrors, Tales of The Unexpected, is that quite often they would end on a devastating note. Like it wasn't, it was - horrible things would happen to people and cruel punishment was meted out for the character you had just followed for the last half hour. There's an episode of The Twilight Zone where... ...and he's on his knees weeping at the end of the episode and I thought that's the kind of thing that should be happening more often on television." Actually, I just read you said you hadn't watched White Christmas yet, so don't watch this vid! I don't think it's very spoilery, but just in case.
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Post by murph on Mar 21, 2017 22:43:04 GMT -5
Thanks for that input, murph . Canadian that I am, I'm pretty solidly clueless regarding UK networks. The Channel 4 tagline is particularly illuminating where this series is concerned. lol Out of curiosity... What was the initial reaction to the series -- and especially to that 1st episode? The good thing about Netflix buying it over is obviously that international can so easily access it. I think that's part of it exactly - so much reaction is 'well, it's Channel 4 and it's Charlie Brooker so of course' lol. People liked the series. I'm sure there was some kind of outrage in some sense, but nothing Channel 4 won't have gotten before, I don't think. I don't remember anything specific like that - I could be wrong though. I very nearly didn't try the next episode after the first and now with it's kind of revival, it's really quite uncomfortable that new viewers are watching that specific episode and its material when since first airing, art has become life in a manner... (I'm hoping you just know what I'm talking about already and you don't have to google anything I advise you not to.) You mentioned White Bear as an episode you like? Well the main actor in that episode was in a Channel 4 show called Sugar Rush over a decade ago which was a teen lesbian show and was of course socially challenging. It didn't shy away or censor shit, because that's Channel 4. Channel 4's Born Risky campaign. They do the coverage for the Paralympics and this was their response to the homophobia of Sochi: They're a publicly owned channel. They had an ad years ago about celebrities (Channel 4 show stars) favourite swear words. Wanna hear people like Zach Braff say 'c*nt'? You will find it on Channel 4 lol. And they've done a fair few dystopia type shows more recently, the last few years. Oh, and they have the original Jon Snow, too. He's a news anchor, and a total fuckin' legend. Quite a few GoT actors have been on Channel 4 shows actually. All of this is why I find the partnership of AMC with Channel 4 (for Humans) so weird. They're such opposite channels. So yeah, Black Mirror is just so ingrained in my head as 'Channel 4'. I can't really separate it. Have you noticed a difference between the earlier stuff verses more recent? I haven't watched the newer stuff yet.
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Post by dark sister on Mar 22, 2017 8:19:35 GMT -5
I rated it a 5 overall because most episodes are great. There's three I didn't care for:
White Bear - though the ending does kind of save that one a bit. The Waldo Experiment - which is terrible all around Men Against Fire - Which was a lot like White Bear, it dragged but the ending is something else.
I hope the new season keeps the British feel though. I like that Netflix distributed it and is getting it out there, but the episodes sets in and around England are the better ones. (Even though I loved Nosedive and San Junipero too)
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Post by MorganBGone on Mar 22, 2017 8:33:09 GMT -5
The 3rd season does seem more Americanized, murph, which lends a somewhat different feel though the themes are similar. San Junipero is just different overall in tone -- less dystopian in a sense -- which is part of its charm, really, especially given the episode it follows. I felt as though the preceding episode had a similar theme to White Bear but didn't do it quite as well. Hopefully we do see Netflix manage to maintain consistency with the existing series -- and augment consistency between episodes... Though, that said, there does seem to be disagreement about which are best and worst, with the exception of Waldo. LOL. Maybe that's what makes it special?
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Post by dark sister on Mar 23, 2017 20:57:43 GMT -5
Everyone hates Waldo. That's universally the worst.
I talked a friend into watching and they hated National Anthem. That surprised me, I thought that was so outrageous and hilarious in a morbid way.
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Post by greaterpursuit on Mar 26, 2017 13:45:42 GMT -5
I've finished all three seasons now and I'd have to say my least favorite is National Anthem. I'm not a fan of humiliation pieces though I get the social commentary here.
I guess The Entire History of You would be my favorite as it is the only one I'd consider watching again and it's the only one I found myself thinking about well after I watched it.
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Post by refia on Mar 26, 2017 15:47:58 GMT -5
Binged it the other day! I love Charlie Brooker; he's one of those men who's made rounds on British comedy panel shows for years. So you'll see him often enough on the shows. Glad this has been such a success for him.
My favourite episode is hands down San Junipero. I got frustrated near half way through, but it was worth it for the twist. Beautiful story.
Second Favourite is Men Against Fire. Loved the twist on White Bear aswell.
Least: National Anthem. First one I saw, and it was obviously done for shock to draw people in. I completly disliked it.
Nosedive would be my second least fav... a satire step too much for me. The ending was a letdown.
The rest fall into 'eh/ou' and 'okay' for me though.
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Post by refia on Mar 26, 2017 15:53:08 GMT -5
I've finished all three seasons now and I'd have to say my least favorite is National Anthem. I'm not a fan of humiliation pieces though I get the social commentary here. I guess The Entire History of You would be my favorite as it is the only one I'd consider watching again and it's the only one I found myself thinking about well after I watched it. Same for National Anthem! EHOY was such an interesting concept. The idea and possibiltys behind the tech too is terrifying. It prob would never be possible, but I could imagine a scenerio like this episode would play out quite often with this type of tech.
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Post by dark sister on Aug 25, 2017 12:30:37 GMT -5
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