The final episode of the season is all about the effect technology might have on a relationship. Liam (Toby Kebbell) is a lawyer who is applying for a new job. As he is travelling back to the airport we see him replaying the interview he just had. He is able to do this because of an implant, which has the size of a grain of rice, which records everything he experiences. Every “memory” is stored and can be replayed and is shown directly onto the eye (and ears).
Liam heads to a party his wife is also attending and during the evening he notices that she is acting strangely towards the host of the evening. What follows is best described as a detective in which every fact and detail is carefully looked over. In this case those facts are the recorded memories/experiences. As you’re watching this you have no idea what this will lead to. Is the main character too jealous or is his wife hiding something from him? The result is a fascinating episode where you are pulled through a big range of emotions, just like Liam.
What would be the consequences on society of such technology? The History of You already gives a small preview and shows it wouldn’t only affect a relationship, but also something like national security and the fight against terrorism. In a short scene Liam is shown going through airport security and being asked to replay his past days for the security guard. It allows them to see whether he has been in contact with dangerous people. It’s the ultimate breach of privacy and despite that people in the society of this episode without it are almost an oddity. It proves that if the way you can use an invention like that is interesting enough people are willing to give up a part of their private lives.
Another scene which made me think was one in which the couple are shown having sex and both of them not actually being engaged with each other, but instead replaying sex they previously had, maybe during a moment in their relationship when everything was better. A real memory is used to create a different reality. It changes the concept of reality.
The rights for the concept of this episode were bought by Robert Downey Jr. There might be a possibility that in the future a movie will be made based on the idea. If that manages to reach the same heights as this episode I’m already looking forward to checking out the result.
This is one of the finest entries in the Black Mirror series; a real chiller. Great write-up.
The first episode is my favourite, but this takes second places after that it is the first one of the second season.
This one was definitely my favourite out of the series so far. So so so very dark. Touches on such a relevant subject, with technology really growing massively and having such a big part in our lives these days.
Yeah, it definitely is one of the strongest one and like you say very relevant.
This was one of my favourite episodes. Really brought home how terrifying this could be and how it would almost tear any relationship apart.
Exactly, one of my favourites as well. I recently heard there will be a new season, so can’t wait for that one to come out.
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