Things That Make You Go EWWWWWW

When was the last time that something you watched made you really uncomfortable?

I mean REALLY uncomfortable?

I wonder if you CAN remember? I'm guessing, you can't.

I can. But why does it matter??

It seems to me that we have got too comfortable. Our films and TV shows are crowded with brain numbing offerings. Things that allow you to just sit and turn off. Reels and reels of bad blockbusters about things that were toys when I was little. Hours of endless predictable dramas and procedurals - when was the last time you didn't guess the killer because they'd cast a big name in a guest role?? And I'm not even going to go for the (too easy) target of reality shows.

We do need this, don't get me wrong, I smise with the rest of em when Tyra's on! But at the same time, we also need things that make us feel uncomfortable. That make us think. That hold up a mirror to us and say "Is this you? Would you behave like this? Are you okay with that?". Things that stop us from having these viewing experiences passively happen to us. Sometimes we need something that we can get actively involved with.

I said I could remember the last viewing experience that allowed me to REALLY feel uncomfortable. 

Black Mirror.

A series of films by Charlie Brooker and shown on Channel 4 in the UK. There have been two series, each containing three one hour films. For reasons that will become clear, I'm going to start with the latest episode first. I will try not to spoiler for those that haven't seen the show. But apologise if I have.

Series 2 Episode 3 - The Waldo Moment

This episode tells the story of a young man, Jamie Salter, who provides the voice of a popular animated character, Waldo. Jamie and his team decide to target a particular MP to be the next victim of the foul-mouthed Waldo. In terms of this post, this episode is probably the least ew-making out of the lot. I found it quite hard to connect with the main character and, therefore, less easy to empathise with him. It did have some interesting points but overall the least strong episode.

Series 2 Episode 2 - White Bear

Image from: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2

A young woman, Victoria, wakes up in a strange room with no memory of who she is and why she is there. She stumbles about the house trying to find information. She sees people outside and in other windows looking out at her. They are all holding phones, seemingly photographing her. Yet none of them will help. As the story continues, Victoria has flashbacks, memories of her and her partner and a child. She meets another young woman who tells her that most people have been affected by the transmission of a 'signal' which has turned them into 'zombie-like' people and in order to change anything they must find the transmitter and destroy it. At first, this felt like a similar premise to the Joss Whedon show 'Dollhouse' (link to imdb) where a signal turned the majority of the human population in to 'dolls' - blank canvases on to which a new personality can be painted. However, there is a twist. A BIG one. And you didn't see it coming. But it wasn't until after the episode that I started to feel uncomfortable. The twist will make you see Victoria differently. And you will understand the motives of the 'zombies' and the baying crowds. But I didn't want to think that I would have behaved in the same voyeuristic, pitchfork-y way that they did. The empathy that you are manipulated into feeling for Victoria allows you to see a story from the viewpoint of a character that you wouldn't normally- the baddie. And it is with this empathy that you view the crowd's/society's reactions to Victoria.

Series 2 Episode 1 - Be Right Back

Image from: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2

The first episode of the second series begins with a happy couple (never going to end well!). They have just moved into a picturesque country cottage. Ash has to take the hire van back. You know where this is going. Martha is next seen frantically phoning the hire van offices. She is informed that Ash never returned the van. Then the flashing red and blue lights. Cut to the funeral. Martha is sitting next to a friend and we learn that she too has recently lost a loved one. Almost reluctantly, at first, she tells Martha about an app, a service that allows you to stay in touch with your loved ones. Martha loses her temper with the friend and tells her that she is not interested. Not too long after this, Martha is lonely and desperate. 

Of all the Black Mirror episodes, this is possibly the most predictable. But in no way any less poignant. I have recently lost a loved one and can completely and utterly understand Martha's choice. My head screamed at her not to do it, but if I were in that situation, could I have walked away?

Series 1 Episode 3 - The Entire History Of You

Tonally, this episode feels like the first episode of series two. Set slightly in the future, we can now have an implant embedded in our brains that records EVERYTHING we see. Sounds good. We start with a couple, though we sense, not necessarily a happy one. The husband has suspicions about the wife and her male friend. He then obsessively watches the recordings of them over and over. 

Again, this episode is slightly predictable. And again you can empathise with the husband and his choice to take the path he does. But, again, this IS a choice and what would yours be? 

Series 1 Episode 2 - 15 Million Merits

Image from: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2257207/

imagine a future where reality shows are the big thing and people live their lives around them. Hmmmm. Two shows in particular - a singing competition and a porn show. Society has become the haves and have nots. The have nots go to work every day and literally power the lives of the haves. Their enticement is to earn enough credits that they may one day appear on one of the beloved reality shows and be freed from their drudgery. Bing, our hero, starts to fall for a fellow have not and, after hearing her sing, decides to save his credits to give to her to go onto the singing show. This was one of my favourite episodes, least of all because it stars one of my favourite actors, Daniel Kaluuya. He gives such an honest performance and has a great charm. You really empathise with his character and his search for SOMETHING decent. This is possibly the only of the Black Mirror episodes where you are rooting for the main character. 

However, the main point of the episode seems to be how we use people for entertainment purposes. The reality shows - porn and singing - are one in the same really, with the people involved there purely for our viewing pleasure. I've never been a fan of these types of singing competitions, but it should make you think if you are!

Series 1 Episode 1 - The National Anthem

I saved the best for last. One of the most uncomfortable and thought provoking hours of celluloid I have EVER seen. I dare you to watch this and not be affected.

Image from: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-1

This episode is set in a parallel 'now' and starts with the British Prime Minister being awoken with the news that Princess Susannah has been kidnapped. A video is being shown on You Tube in which the kidnapper makes his demands. In order to free the Princess, the PM must have sex on live TV with a pig. Yes, a pig! What should he do? What will the consequences be of whichever choice he takes?

This episode works on two levels of making you feel uncomfortable. The first is obviously the choice in front of the PM. He is married, with a young baby. If he does this, what will the impact be? I found this incredibly difficult to watch. Can you imagine?

The second level is the reaction to this by the public on social media. The heartless way in which they demand that the PM goes ahead with the ransom demands with NO consideration for what this will do and treating it as pure entertainment. This was the most difficult to watch. I cannot imagine a day, where I would ask this of another human being and therefore could not take part in the online badgering that the public in this episode did. My eternal optimist would hope that the majority would be the same. My head says not.



Comments gratefully appreciated.