Updated Review - 10/1/2023
Four years later on a third viewing, The National Anthem is better than I remembered it to be.
The social commentary stood out more to me this time around. A year later, the Prime Minister still deals with the consequences of the disgusting act he performed. It's revealed that the incident was a created by a Turner Prize-winning visual artist and critics were describing the incident as the first great artwork of the 21st century. Nobody forgot about the live feed but instead was picked apart and analyzed beyond what the video displayed. A grand distraction was created for a greater purpose which would eventually be recognized as a great feat in artistic expression.
Although I don't disagree with my suggestion for new viewers to save this one for later, it does succeed in setting a dreadful tone for the series as a whole. The plot in general might be the weak spot, but Rory Kinnear as the Prime Minister, Otto Bathurst's directing and the greater subtext elevate this episode to better than average.
7/10
.
.
.
Review from 4/17/2019
The Prime Minister is woken up in the middle of the night to find out Princess Susannah has been kidnapped. In her ransom video, the kidnappers demand he broadcast a video of himself having sex with a pig on live TV in exchange for her release.
This episode isn't futuristic, but it shows the power of social media and the internet. The ransom video spreads like wildfire despite being removed 9 minutes after it was uploaded. The public opinion is broadcasted on the news as the polls sway. The faces of the public watching are shocked and disgusted yet they can't look away.
Since Black Mirror episodes are individual stories, I recommend skipping S1Ep1 if you're new to the series, come back to it later. It doesn't do the show justice overall and could turn off first time viewers. It's a disturbing thriller with a twist.
5/10.
Four years later on a third viewing, The National Anthem is better than I remembered it to be.
The social commentary stood out more to me this time around. A year later, the Prime Minister still deals with the consequences of the disgusting act he performed. It's revealed that the incident was a created by a Turner Prize-winning visual artist and critics were describing the incident as the first great artwork of the 21st century. Nobody forgot about the live feed but instead was picked apart and analyzed beyond what the video displayed. A grand distraction was created for a greater purpose which would eventually be recognized as a great feat in artistic expression.
Although I don't disagree with my suggestion for new viewers to save this one for later, it does succeed in setting a dreadful tone for the series as a whole. The plot in general might be the weak spot, but Rory Kinnear as the Prime Minister, Otto Bathurst's directing and the greater subtext elevate this episode to better than average.
7/10
.
.
.
Review from 4/17/2019
The Prime Minister is woken up in the middle of the night to find out Princess Susannah has been kidnapped. In her ransom video, the kidnappers demand he broadcast a video of himself having sex with a pig on live TV in exchange for her release.
This episode isn't futuristic, but it shows the power of social media and the internet. The ransom video spreads like wildfire despite being removed 9 minutes after it was uploaded. The public opinion is broadcasted on the news as the polls sway. The faces of the public watching are shocked and disgusted yet they can't look away.
Since Black Mirror episodes are individual stories, I recommend skipping S1Ep1 if you're new to the series, come back to it later. It doesn't do the show justice overall and could turn off first time viewers. It's a disturbing thriller with a twist.
5/10.