Where do I begin? The main characters were lovable and were developed well for an episode that lasted less than 1 hour. Even with no backstory as a simulation, Amy and Frank were easy to connect to. I was honestly surprised that I felt so connected with the main characters when the episode was so short. There was a connection with their unease about a forced human partnership matching system as there would be if it were in real life.
The criticisms and alternate views on the modern dating environment along with an increased reliance on technology was well-balanced. This was not a dark dystopian future, but rather how we can break through whatever dystopian constraints the world sets on us, even what technology sets upon us, and persevere as a team. It also gave technology a chance. It says it can help us along our journey. Even in the simulation, if the main characters were not paired in the beginning, their outcomes would/could have been vastly different. There was also the caricature of modern dating with the ultimate/perfect match ceremony (sendoff?) of Edna and Mike. It seemed like satire of any of the major dating websites' commercials. It still gave credence to the idea that it could work for some, but that it was either ridiculous-looking or a pipedream to many.
The resolution did not show who would be the perfect match for Amy. While there might have been a "perfect" option in a coached system of matchmaking, the show ends with a determination that love finds a way and overcomes all odds. This is an encouragement for all to persevere in your relationship instead of giving up for a "perfect one" they say might be out there. Find someone you love and can live happily with. I found it an interesting metaphor for single life that Amy and Frank could not remember life before the coach matchmaking. Just as it is hard in a committed relationship to remember single life, the main characters did not know what it was like before their simulation started. For them, it was when their "life" began. Quite a romantic analogy.
I found it interesting that I do not remember the words "love" in the entire episode. This was a dystopian view of modern romance and one of the only sad things that I was left with in this episode.
I did find it odd that this would come after USS Callister, or even in the same season. Beyond being a similar uplifting story like episode 4 of season 3, San Junipero, Hang the DJ seemed cruel to subject the sentient code to pain.
The length of the episode felt short but I would not change it. The story was fully developed and they never spent more time than needed in any particular point. This was so precisely directed that not once in the episode did I feel the story drag or did I feel like I missed out on something. The ending had perfect closure. I would have even been satisfied with a Lost-esque episode where it faded to white as they scaled the wall, just leaving the end in mystery. It would have been a perfect romance, but we would have missed the Black Mirror-style storytelling, and the actual ending was much better than what I was expecting as the episode came to a close. Even if mildly predictable, the writing kept the mystery about the dystopian simulation as a very intriguing plot point that kept me interested every bit of the way. The plot was not ruined by the "love interest" that many sci-fi die-hards claim ruin their precious films/television series, but rather it was strengthened by a great, non-cliche (for Hollywood) look at romance. The predictability of the romance did not make this any less enjoyable, since Amy and Frank were so well cast and likeable along the way. Dare I say the direction was flawless?
The only thing I had a disappointment about was the title. Besides the song what was that about?
Overall I never have been more satisfied in a television episode. Overall I have more favorite episodes, including some from Breaking Bad and Lost, but this easily makes the top 5 for favorites. This now tops White Christmas for my favorite Black Mirror episode. Well done Netflix, Black Mirror, Timothy Van Patten and Charlie Brooker, and the cast and crew, for an incredible episode.
The criticisms and alternate views on the modern dating environment along with an increased reliance on technology was well-balanced. This was not a dark dystopian future, but rather how we can break through whatever dystopian constraints the world sets on us, even what technology sets upon us, and persevere as a team. It also gave technology a chance. It says it can help us along our journey. Even in the simulation, if the main characters were not paired in the beginning, their outcomes would/could have been vastly different. There was also the caricature of modern dating with the ultimate/perfect match ceremony (sendoff?) of Edna and Mike. It seemed like satire of any of the major dating websites' commercials. It still gave credence to the idea that it could work for some, but that it was either ridiculous-looking or a pipedream to many.
The resolution did not show who would be the perfect match for Amy. While there might have been a "perfect" option in a coached system of matchmaking, the show ends with a determination that love finds a way and overcomes all odds. This is an encouragement for all to persevere in your relationship instead of giving up for a "perfect one" they say might be out there. Find someone you love and can live happily with. I found it an interesting metaphor for single life that Amy and Frank could not remember life before the coach matchmaking. Just as it is hard in a committed relationship to remember single life, the main characters did not know what it was like before their simulation started. For them, it was when their "life" began. Quite a romantic analogy.
I found it interesting that I do not remember the words "love" in the entire episode. This was a dystopian view of modern romance and one of the only sad things that I was left with in this episode.
I did find it odd that this would come after USS Callister, or even in the same season. Beyond being a similar uplifting story like episode 4 of season 3, San Junipero, Hang the DJ seemed cruel to subject the sentient code to pain.
The length of the episode felt short but I would not change it. The story was fully developed and they never spent more time than needed in any particular point. This was so precisely directed that not once in the episode did I feel the story drag or did I feel like I missed out on something. The ending had perfect closure. I would have even been satisfied with a Lost-esque episode where it faded to white as they scaled the wall, just leaving the end in mystery. It would have been a perfect romance, but we would have missed the Black Mirror-style storytelling, and the actual ending was much better than what I was expecting as the episode came to a close. Even if mildly predictable, the writing kept the mystery about the dystopian simulation as a very intriguing plot point that kept me interested every bit of the way. The plot was not ruined by the "love interest" that many sci-fi die-hards claim ruin their precious films/television series, but rather it was strengthened by a great, non-cliche (for Hollywood) look at romance. The predictability of the romance did not make this any less enjoyable, since Amy and Frank were so well cast and likeable along the way. Dare I say the direction was flawless?
The only thing I had a disappointment about was the title. Besides the song what was that about?
Overall I never have been more satisfied in a television episode. Overall I have more favorite episodes, including some from Breaking Bad and Lost, but this easily makes the top 5 for favorites. This now tops White Christmas for my favorite Black Mirror episode. Well done Netflix, Black Mirror, Timothy Van Patten and Charlie Brooker, and the cast and crew, for an incredible episode.