Holy Rod Serling (!), do I have a Labor Day recommendation for you on Netflix Watch Instantly--Black Mirror, a dark sci-fi social satire in the tradition of The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. An anthology series created by Charlie Brooker, Black Mirror premiered in 2011 on the BBC. Each episode rises to the occasion and some are brilliant, but here's the catch: the total collection of episodes? Seven. The good news is that Netflix is rumored to be swooping up the series from the BBC. I would absolutely love to see Black Mirror as a Netflix Original.
The title of the show aptly refers to what is so pronounced in our day-to-day lives, our smart phones (first and foremost), notepads, laptops and PC monitors. The opening image of a cracked screen is perfect in precisely summing up most of the episodes as Black Mirror doesn't coddle the viewer but goes straight for the jugular. One will realize this after a few minutes into Episode 1: "The National Anthem," starring Rory Kinnear as prime minister. Without giving away the surprise, let's just say that the prime minister is forced into what starts as a laughing matter, only to descend into an absurd, horrid reality as technology enters the fray. We now learn quickly, along with the prime minister and his team of advisers, just how powerful "going viral" and social media are in today's world.
This episode is particularly timely and relevant to the current political climate. With the U.S. election season heating up, you may find gleeful sanctuary and plenty of laughs picturing your least favorite candidate in the prime minister's predicament. 4.5/5Creator: Charlie Brooker
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