Like countless Netflix addicts around the world, I binged the new season of Black Mirror in a single day – and it was an absolute belter of a time.
The seventh series of the cult favourite dropped on 10th April, serving up a fresh platter of unnerving tales, with one hitting particularly close to home (I’m looking at you, Common People).
My top pick from the lot, which I’ve already given a second viewing, was the fifth episode, aptly named Eulogy. So you can imagine my shock (and sheer horror) when I shared my thoughts with mates only to find out everyone hates Eulogy.
Social media is ablaze with some seriously heated critiques, with viewers branding the episode as a total snooze-fest. One especially gutted fan vented on TikTok, slamming: “It’s the worst episode of all Black Mirror.”
I get that taste in TV is all down to personal preference – but those slamming Eulogy as the worst Black Mirror episode are – and I can’t emphasise this enough – wrong. Completely wrong, reports Surrey Live.
(Image: NETFLIX)
For those who have already forgotten it, this instalment follows Phillip (played by Paul Giamatti), an isolated elderly man who is invited to the funeral of an ex-girlfriend from his youth. Surprisingly, he doesn’t remember much of his time with her; he can’t even recall what she looked like.
And it isn’t a coincidence, Phillip had spent years trying to erase this mystery woman from his memory, going as far as scratching her face out of every picture in his house. Then, in true Black Mirror fashion, Phillip is introduced to a new piece of technology that allows him to step into old photographs, and relive the moments he spent with his old fling.
(Image: NETFLIX)
It’s no secret that the dystopian series has built a reputation for its shocking, and often disturbing plot twists. Take, for example, season three’s Shut Up and Drive, which is still going viral on social media almost a decade after it aired. Or the show’s pilot, The National Anthem, which still sends a chill down my spine.
These stories took viewers on a wild ride and exemplified Charlie Brooker’s genius. So I completely understand why fans may have been anticipating a major plot twist in this season seven episode.
In fairness, there is one minor twist, but Eulogy doesn’t come close to the other episodes’ shock factor. And that’s why it’s brilliant.
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For me, the Netflix show shines when it holds up a mirror to society, which is arguably the driving force of the entire series. That is exactly what this episode does, it forces us to face the unbearable pain of regret that most people will encounter at least once in their lives.
Phillip lives a miserable life and blames it on his ex, choosing to believe that she tore their relationship apart. However, a closer look at the past reveals that he made a mistake and there is no piece of technology that can change that.
As if that isn’t heart-breaking enough, he only discovers the truth after she has passed away, leaving no room for reconciliation.
(Image: NETFLIX)
But Brooker isn’t trying to force viewers to just meditate on loss, he is actually nudging us to remember the importance of human connection, especially in our increasingly robotic world. In choosing to isolate himself, Phillip loses the spark that he gleams with in the pictures from his youth.
He creates a toxic reality in which he is a downtrodden victim, scorned by a woman in his past. But after just a few hours with The Guide, stunningly portrayed by Patsy Ferran, he is finally able to face his mistakes and start healing, even if that means grieving the beautiful life that he missed out on.
In this slow but sharp episode, we are reminded that even in a world where you can travel into old pictures, sometimes the most revolutionary thing is a heartfelt conversation, be it with a friend or your ex-girlfriend’s daughter.
Black Mirror is streaming now on Netflix.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
