[TV REVIEW] Black Mirror season four lives up to expectations

Twitter: @BlackMirror

The hit Sci-Fi TV show from Netflix delves into the possible perils of technology and challenges the otherwise unrestrained advancement of human and machine integration.

Webster Lehmann, Creative Design Manager
January 19, 2018

After a long, drawn out anticipatory series of teaser trailers, Netflix’s Black Mirror season 4 was finally released on Dec. 29. The show has shot into popularity in recent years for its eerie, disconnected, sci fi shorts that challenge perceptions surrounding technological advancement.

The last season – season three – was the best yet, perfectly balancing the possible perils of technology with cinematic mastery and strong plot lines. The question on everyone’s minds: would season four match its predecessors excellence? Unfortunately not. While still good, the newest season palled in comparison due to plot and style risks that fell short.

The fifth episode, Metalhead, was perhaps the worst Black Mirror episode to date. The story – if you can even call it that – revolves around a woman being chased by a murderous robodog that killed her two friends. There is little to no context, there is no plot arch, no character development, nor an end goal, and the absolute grotesqueness and violence seemed overly bleak and unnecessarily disturbing.

.   

Despite this shortcoming, other episodes did manage to save the season. The first episode, USS Callistar – which played with the idea of video game realities – was everything a Black Mirror episode ought to be: tech based, creepy, and character driven. Hang the DJ was another masterpiece barring you have patience to see the episode though in its entirety. Set in a real life dating app where you are assigned a partner, go on assigned dates of varying lengths, and have a program find your perfect match, two people in love rebel against the system. Without spoiling anything, the episode is filled with tricks and turns that will leave you question reality. While it is less believable than other episodes, it is conceptually brilliant and thought provoking.

Even with the occasional setback, season four as a whole was a success. From helicopter parenting, to medical miracles, the season explores the possible pitfalls of technology of the now and the technology of the imagined future. It is eerie and at times bleak, but season four preserves Black Mirror‘s spot as one of the best shows on Netflix. 

NOTE: violence, mature themes.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐∙

4 out of 5 stars