In case you somehow missed it (like us… doh!) Black Mirror is back on Channel 4 with a second series. It follows up the critical success of the first series, released at the end of 2011, with another three part mini-series from the mind of Charlie Brooker (Screen Wipe, Dead Set, 10 O’Clock Live).
The first of the three episodes aired on Channel 4 on Monday the 11th February 2013, slipping under the radar a little, as is usually the case with anything by Charlie Brooker, almost as though it’s too good for the masses. Entitled, Be Right Back, it’s about a new technology that allows Martha to communicate with her recently deceased boyfriend Ash, by analysing all of his past online communications.
The second episode will be going out at 10pm on Monday the 18th February 2013. With the cool title, White Bear, the opening episode sees main character, Jem, waking up to find herself without any memories in a world in which a transmitter has turned the population into moronic voyeurs who refuse to talk to her and film her avidly with their mobile phones.
The last in the trio, The Waldo Moment, will be airing the Monday after (25th February at 10pm) and features a big blue CGI bear that causes havoc for the Conservatives.
As was the case with the first series, Black Mirror Series 2 is Charlie Brooker’s latest social commentary vehicle, giving him a creative world to reflect back on society all the things that annoy him, which has been a pretty big theme in his work since his days as a writer for the Guardian. The title is a metaphor for a blank screen that reflects back at the viewer, as well as entertains, so it’s pretty fitting for the mini-series.
While most of the cast is made up of relative unknown names, which added to the surprise impact of the first series, there are a couple of familiar names, including Tobias Menzies (Casualty) and Tuppence Middleton, who’s pretty famous for having a good name in general.
If you missed the first series, the Black Mirror Series 1 DVD is available from Amazon and all good DVD retailer type things.
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