Srishti Watched: Black Mirror Season 6

 P.S. This is a shitty exercise where I write shitty reviews of the shit I watch so I write more. You're welcome to fuck off.

But if you're looking to pass your time reading something that doesn't weigh on your featherweight brain, please go ahead because in this blog, we count down Swisstea's best to least favourite episodes of the newest season of Black Mirror.

#1 Loch Henry

In many ways, Loch Henry is like watching Gordon Ramsey prepare a personal dish for you. He loves the meal he’s making and he’s going to start by demonstrating it to you like introducing a loved one. He goes, step by step, adding the flavours, asking you to take a whiff every once in a while, so much so, by the end of it, you can’t wait to dive into it.

Sorry. I think I’m hungry.

But that’s how this episode feels to me too. Hate to say this, but the crime fiction fanatic in me savoured the meal the screenplay of this episode was.[notice how I say ‘crime fiction’ and not ‘true crime’ because my romance with this genre began with Agatha Christie, not lowlife serial killers ] An unsuspecting couple going to a town barely heard of - what could possibly go wrong? The ordinary intros blend into revealing the mixed fragrance - of an irresistible mystery, one that unravels with tiny strands like spaghetti in sauce. A few splashes of clues here, a few others there, and then, the fragrance hits your nose, and the dish leaves a memorable, lasting taste. But that’s not entirely how the episode feels. Looks like the writers of this season went further ahead to include what happened with Netflix’s Dahmer show which, hailed by audiences front back and centre failed to take into account the actual people who were unwilling audiences to the horrors of the piece of shit Dahmer was. Loch Henry glamorises pain and terror often witnessed in true crime, making serial killers look like fascinating and intriguing celebrities instead of giving them a condemnable image. All in all, Loch Henry feels like a beautiful introspection, staying true to the show’s title, it presents itself like a plain mirror, brutal and uncomfortable, but very much honest.

#2 Beyond the Sea

“This is what Don’t Worry Darling wanted to be but failed” is what somebody said of this episode. Now I’m not sure if I wholly agree with this opinion because I really didn’t hate Don’t Worry Darling as much as everyone else, but truth be told, it is always a treat to watch Aaron Paul. What I also like about this episode is that it’s SciFi but barely feels like one because it lends weight to its story more than making a big deal out of ‘two dudes in space temporarily accessing their lives on Earth through their robotic replicas’. But yeah, if you like sweet twists with a touch of space fiction, I think you’ll really like this episode.

#3 Joan is Awful

Honestly, the moment Annie Murphy’s face hit the screen, the first thought that hit me was, “Wow, that’s exactly how my hair was a year ago, just blue instead of platinum”. Aesthetics aside, I think this inception-esque version of the not-so-distant future is the essence of Black Mirror. 

I remember having initial doubts about the episode. Usually, they save the best episode for last, and start off by giving the audience next to zero hope - kinda how I am in my relationships. All said and done though, I liked Joan is Awful more than the entire season 5. 

It’s annoying and heartbreaking that in the Streamberry universe, we’ve become the source of entertainment for each other. It's sad, but not unbelievable that people would rather believe the embellished stories about us, discarding how we’ve made them feel. Not just that, it’s fascinating to see how so many people already recognise the episode as a critique of Netflix itself - where content is prioritised over literally everything else.

And it’s a mess of our own making. I mean, what about the entire concept of terms and conditions doesn’t reek of nefarious corporations trying to sneakily buy your life? If they were so keen on you reading them, they wouldn't hide it up the URL’s ass.

Joan’s reaction to realising that she’s not even the original Joan is incredibly refreshing. It reminds me of our very insignificance in this universe. We think we’re the only ones here, go on believing what we do matters - but maybe, it doesn't. We like to think we’re masters of our own destinies - but maybe we’re just characters based on a story, an algorithm. We get comfortable in our patterns and never really get out of them. I think the game’s rigged to fail us. My advice? Find things that make you happy. Find people who don’t exhaust you. Eat good food. Feel the music, and let your hair down. Try getting your kicks before this whole shithouse goes into flames :)

#4 Demon 79

The episode is described as follows: “This episode takes place in northern England in 1979, where a meek sales assistant is told she must commit terrible acts to prevent disaster.”

Now if you’ve seen Black Mirror, you know that “told to commit terrible acts to prevent disaster” translates to “she crazy”. Especially when you get glimpses of Nida, the ‘mild-mannered’ shoe salesperson fantasising about strangling and bashing people’s heads in, you might wonder how much of the episode is happening inside her head.

Well, get in, loser, because you’re in for a cute surprise. If you like Supernatural and good demons [hello, Good Omens], you’re gonna like this episode. 

#5 Mazey Day

Think Britney Spears. Think Princess Diana. Think invasion of privacy. Do you see what I’m getting at here? Yes. The paparazzi. And if you think they were shitty for capturing Britney’s breakdown, I’m pleased to tell you that in the past, they’ve taken celebrities’ private videos, captured them naked, rammed their bicycles into, and even went as far as yelling at their kids. You may argue that the rich and famous sort of sign up for it, tacitly. I’m not sure who to side with on this, so if you want to see who ends up getting the better end of the stick, go for this episode.