Shorter season, more personal
When I had heard that Black Mirror was going back to having three episodes instead of six I’ll admit I was disappointed. I’m that fan that wanted all the episode I could get, the show is one of my favourites out there and I love the work that Charlie Brooker and his team does. The fifth season of the show doesn’t always hit it’s highest points but instead, this season feels more personal and has episodes that viewers can relate to. So I’ll let the shorter season slide, I’m happy with the three episodes instead of six.
Season five of Black Mirror consists of three episodes, Smithereens, Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too and Striking Vipers. Not one of the three episodes are the same with Smithereens following a cab driver who is holding a grudge against a social media company. Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too is about a young lonely girl who looks up to her popstar idol but her popstar idol doesn’t want to be that popstar idol anymore. Striking Vipers follows two male friends who are reunited over their love of their favourite video game which is now in VR.
From the start, I’ll say that as always each episode shines somewhat on their own and Charlie Brooker’s work is, as always, fascinating. The way he writes these short yet epic modern science fiction tales is to be applauded. Never do any of these three episodes become lazy or throw away their important message or what they are about as they always stick to the narrative and drive the message home.
Striking Vipers is, unfortunately, a bit of a miss for me, it does have it’s important elements but it is also a message that isn’t particular to just Black Mirror. Black Mirror is a show that seems to be always ahead of the game when it comes to its subject matter.
The episodes of Smithereens and Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too are by far the season’s strongest episodes. Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too is a great insight into the exploitation of musicians and artists. It works even better with Miley Cyrus as Ashley O because of her great performance and personal story aids in creating an extra layer for the episode to play with, one that another actor wouldn’t have been able to bring to the table.
The highlight here is Smithereens. Smithereens is going to be the episode that I think will affect a lot of people. It certainly has made me think a lot about how much I use my phone and social media and you end up just feeling so much for Andrew Scott’s character Chris. Andrew Scott’s performance is one of the best in Black Mirror to date and with Smithereens being the first episode it really kicks things off.
Along with the usual great acting, thanks to some great casting choices, you get somewhat more relaxed cinematography and world. Black Mirror has always done a good job at inserting new technology into a modern scene. Our surroundings don’t change drastically but the items and technology we use does and that’s an important part of the Black Mirror-style and production that it continues to get right.
After Bandersnatch, I assumed that Black Mirror would be heading towards even more crazy episode but I’m glad the show has decided to stay more grounded for its fifth season. The more simple episodes create some easy bing worthy content whilst also being more about our individual selves then society as a whole. While society still plays a huge part in this season, as it should always do for Black Mirror, I can’t help but feel that the fifth season of the show is a more personal season than any of the others.
Score: 4/5
You can read our reviews for each episode below: