Familiar Infidelity, Translated Into a Less Familiar “Black Mirror” World

Today’s more accessible television is a direct response to the technological demands of today’s tech-driven consumers. Streaming services like Netflix and HBO’s online service HBO GO provide subscribers with a more immediate, personalized television experience, which the Internet has made them want and has made possible. As consumers’ habits have changed, streaming services like Netflix have acquired the means to produce their own shows. Though “Black Mirror” originated on Britain’s Channel 4, Netflix bought the rights in 2015 and recently released a third season that closely resembles the first two.

That “Black Mirror” seasons are released all at once and new HBO original series “Divorce” episode-by-episode is the least significant of the two shows’ differences. “Divorce” is a categorical comedy, and although its heavy titular theme leans toward drama, its severity could never match that of “Black Mirror.” Each episode of “Divorce” builds on the last, while “Black Mirror” is an anthology series. “Divorce” takes place in the modern world as we know it while “Black Mirror” tries to imagine where we will be in the near future if technology continues to advance the way it has. I could go on.

 

"Divorce"

Thomas Haden Church and Sarah Jessica Parker co-star as a married (and soon-to-be divorced?) couple on the new HBO series “Divorce.”

 

But the third and final episode in Season 1 of “Black Mirror” tackles the same themes of love and betrayal as the three episodes of “Divorce” that have been released, with an eerily similar plotline. Each centers on an unfaithful wife and her heartbroken husband as he tries to understand and possibly overcome the depth of her deception. The catalyst in each case is a dinner party with friends – clearly, as evidenced by these two stories, an environment that can easily expose an adult couple’s deep-seeded dissatisfaction.

In “Divorce,” Frances (Sarah Jessica Parker) looks on as her friend Diane (Molly Shannon) threatens to shoot her husband in a drunken rage, narrowly missing Frances’s own husband Robert (Thomas Haden Church). The incident makes Frances reconsider the viability of her own marriage, which, we soon learn, she’s been doing for at least a year – the amount of time she’s been having an affair with a professor named Julian. Whereas Robert doesn’t find out about Julian’s existence until the next day, the dinner party in the “Black Mirror” episode clues husband Liam (Toby Kebbell) in to the possibility of his wife Ffion’s (Jodie Whittaker) affair with her old friend Jonas as he watches the two awkwardly interact that night.

The revelation of Frances’s affair with Julian creates a dynamic that puts Robert on the defensive, which allows the show’s writers to give Robert quick, funny quips but takes away any real power viewers hoped to see Frances hold. By the third episode, the two seek marriage counseling, and Robert demands to know everything about Frances’s affair. “How many times?” he asks, to which Frances, after considerable thinking, answers, “Thirty-two.” In this scene, just as the show begins to feel unmanageable, as Robert gets angrier, threatening to take away any agency Frances had left, he reveals that he’s had an emotional affair with a woman he has remained close with since college. Not only does the exchange provide some comic relief, but it also makes their rocky relationship feel a bit more balanced as the impending divorce loom.

Now, back to the future: the new-age technology included in Season 1, Episode 3 of “Black Mirror” allows its characters to “redo” any past memories – yes, anything – in their heads or on various screens; the videos can be quickly conjured, rewound, zoomed in, or even analyzed with lip-reading technology. Just as Robert pushed to know the full extent of Frances’s affair, Liam agonizes over the apparent lies Ffion has told about her past with Jonas. She admits to a one-month relationship, then reveals they actually dated for six months; after drunkenly confronting Jonas and catching a glimpse of a recent intimate encounter between Jonas and Ffion in Jonas’s memory bank, Liam demands that Ffion shows him the whole thing to prove that their young child must be biologically his.

 

"Black Mirror"

Liam (Toby Kebbell) and his wife Ffion (Jodie Whittaker) play back one of Liam’s past memories on Season 1, Episode 3 of “Black Mirror,” titled “The Entire History of You.”

 

“Black Mirror” caters to George Cotkin’s (or, more accurately, Susan Sontag’s) New Sensibility very directly: the show takes our obsession with technology to a terrifying extreme in order to reflect on the tech-driven culture we’ve become so accustomed to. “Divorce,” however, reinforces the idea of the normal, nuclear family and the harm people incur when that normal structure is broken. The former calls attention to our willingness to conform to whatever piece of technology seems to improve our lives; the latter accepts what’s normal and even shows viewers how miserable life can be when they fail to conform effectively.

One missing piece of the integration of this “redo” technology is the intense paranoia that it could instill in its users to live their lives naturally. If a loved one could ask to see any point in a person’s history at any time, what privacy do these individuals maintain? Are they expected to live their lives worrying about a future encounter or else never keep a secret from anyone they love?

Bar this small hiccup, “Black Mirror” does a believable job of taking a well-known sequence of events – as shown in “Divorce” – and retelling that story with the advent of new technology that complicates the story’s ending. After seeing Ffion’s affair with Jonas on-screen, he can no longer bear to hold that memory and rips out the “grain” which would keep a copy of that experience and any happy memories he had with Ffion. Robert, on the other hand, does not have to make such a painful choice; whether he likes it or not, he keeps what natural memories, good and sour, he has from his marriage to Frances, and moves forward with the divorce. Given the two options, I’d choose to be Robert over Liam. As “Black Mirror” accurately proves, with advanced technology comes a responsibility to use it healthily that I’m not sure I could handle. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll have to make that choice.

31,058 Comments

  • Genset Genpac Open / Silent MTU 2100 kVA GM2100 commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Artikel yang sangat informatif, sangat membantu saya dalam memahami konsep ini. Genset Genpac Open / Silent MTU 2100 kVA GM2100

  • townofhar persville commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Welcome to surya168. The ultimate destination for slot lovers in Indonesia. Here you can immerse yourself in the exciting world of online slot games and experience a wide variety of exciting slot products. Whether you are an experienced player or a beginner, Surya168 offers a wide collection of popular slots and slot machines to suit every taste and interest. Get ready to unleash your excitement and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of online slots with Surya168!

  • Esballph commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Thank you for the wonderful article and valuable information.
    I’m excited to explore further and enhance my skills,
    eager to delve into the future to learn and grow even more.

  • jasa penerjemah dokumen perusahaan commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Sangat suka dengan gaya penulisan penulis, membuat saya ingin terus membaca artikel ini. jasa penerjemah dokumen perusahaan

  • Genset Genpac Open / Silent MTU 2000 kVA GM2000 commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Informasinya sangat relevan dengan apa yang sedang saya cari. Genset Genpac Open / Silent MTU 2000 kVA GM2000

  • FreeVpnNamibia commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Using FreeVpnNamibia.com service encrypts your internet connection, ensuring your online activities remain private and secure. This protects your personal information from hackers and allows you to browse the web anonymously, giving you greater control over your online privacy and security.

  • Jack commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Trezor Suite App offers a comprehensive crypto wallet management solution, providing unparalleled security and convenience for managing your digital assets.

  • vwslot commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! datar akun slot

  • 안전놀이터 commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Admiring the time and you offer!. 안전놀이터

  • jameels feerock commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    This particular is usually g with for sure fair-minded and moreover admittedly useful My business is looking to find in advance designed for this specific useful stuffs… 상품권 현금화

  • will smith commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Hello I am so delighted I located your blog, I really located you by mistake, while I was watching on google for something else, Anyways I am here now and could just like to say thank for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining website. Please do keep up the great work.
    Lifeguard courses

  • jasa penerjemah buku commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Artikel yang bagus, penulisannya sangat mengalir dan mudah dipahami. jasa penerjemah buku

  • DURAJOINT FCL Couplings 250 commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Sangat menginspirasi, terima kasih! DURAJOINT FCL Couplings 250

  • Brownstone Law commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Brownstone, also known as freestone because it can be cut freely in any direction. Appellate Attorney Near Me

  • Genset Genpac Open / Silent MTU 1600 kVA GM1600 commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Saya jadi semakin tertarik dengan topik ini setelah membaca artikel ini. Genset Genpac Open / Silent MTU 1600 kVA GM1600

  • Jasa Anti Rayap Tangerang commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Saya akan kembali membaca artikel di sini. Jasa Anti Rayap Tangerang

  • penerjemah bahasa mandarin premium commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Sangat suka dengan penjelasannya, membuat saya semakin paham tentang hal ini. penerjemah bahasa mandarin premium

  • DURAJOINT Chain Couplings 4012 commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Artikel ini memberikan solusi yang praktis. DURAJOINT Chain Couplings 4012

  • Genset Genpac Open / Silent MTU 1550 kVA GM1550 commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Artikel yang sangat bermanfaat, terima kasih atas pencerahannya. Genset Genpac Open / Silent MTU 1550 kVA GM1550

  • Buy Digital ocean Accounts commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Buy Digital ocean Accounts
    Are you a newcomer in development? Do you want to be a good developer who is looking for a digital ocean account? Every developer wants the best quality cloud hosting platform. As like with every developer, I think that you are searching for the best quality cloud computing service for your website. So Buy Digital ocean Accounts.

    Buy Digital ocean Accounts

    Related Product: https://pnmcloud.com/product/buy-amazon-aws-accounts/

    As a service holder, we suggest a digital ocean account for your website. We are giving high-quality cloud computing service by digital ocean account. You can buy a digital ocean account from our best-quality platform. If you are searching for a verified and high-quality digital ocean account, it is the right place to have you come. We can ensure exactly what you require. So you can buy a digital ocean account from our platform without any hesitation. Buy Digital ocean Account right now.

    You can order right now. Buy Digital Ocean Account is not only a good account this also makes a very beautiful process to make your whole process in the whole over this world.
    Website: https://pnmcloud.com/product/buy-digital-ocean-accounts/

  • Deeksha Khurana commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Taxlegit understands the complexities that accompany the registration process, especially when it comes to Pvt Ltd entities. That's why we've designed our online registration service to be comprehensive yet user-friendly, catering to the diverse needs of entrepreneurs across industries. By choosing Taxlegit for your Pvt Ltd Company Registration Online, you gain access to a team of experienced professionals dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process. From document preparation to submission and beyond, we're committed to ensuring that your registration experience is smooth and hassle-free.

  • 링크나라 commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Admiring the time to my Google account. 링크나라

  • sqacfsawqfc commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Kangbet merupakan situs judi slot online server thailand resmi dan terdaftar 2024 dilengkapi dengan berbagai provider slot yang mudah dimenangkan. Daftar dan raih kemenanganmu bersama kangbet setiap harinya cukup dengan modal sedikit hasil pasti melejit. link alternatif kangbet

  • shaikh seo commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks. handyman services in Emerald Isle NC

  • wsfsaqcfsc commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    FRYD DISPOSABLE VAPE is the Next-Gen Disposable vaping device that comes ready to vape, Fryd bars disposable is an innovative way to enjoy cannabis. These FRYD DISPOSABLE VAPES can help you find the perfect balance between THC and CBD for your needs. To help you find the right extract for you, Fryd dispo offers a variety of different flavors that are admittedly delicious. Furthermore, they have cannabis oils with a potency of up to 90% THC, which is perfect for those who like a more powerful experience. Fryd disposable vape is the future of smoking vape. fryds

  • vwslot commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. สล็อตเว็บตรง

  • AYAB commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Ultimately, a problem that I’m passionate about. I have looked for data of this caliber for the previous various hours. Your site is greatly appreciated. old photo restore ai

  • Programming Assignment Help commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    I felt very happy while reading this site. This was really very informative site for me. I really liked it. This was really a cordial post. Thanks a lot!. balap4d

  • briansclub commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    “Interesting article! It’s intriguing to see how platforms like briansclub cm are shaping the landscape of online transactions. Their commitment to security and reliability is commendable, offering users peace of mind in an increasingly digital world.”

  • Programming Assignment Help commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    This was really an interesting topic and I kinda agree with what you have mentioned here! teratai888

  • Michalhix commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Yet another stellar post! Your educational content is a treasure trove of knowledge. If your audience ever needs assistance with how to write a bibliography, I’m here to offer expert help. Keep up the fantastic work you’re doing!

  • Programming Assignment Help commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Excellent and very exciting site. Love to watch. Keep Rocking. situs sabi4d

  • Ali commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Wir sind rund um die Uhr für Sie da! Schlüsseldienst Mangjolli Max-Eyth-Straße 11 46149 Oberhausen. Schlüsseldienst Düsseldorf

  • jack commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Secure your digital assets with Phantom Wallet Extension from Phantom Extension. It’s the ultimate tool for managing and protecting your cryptocurrency investments. Download now!

    Phantom Wallet Extension | Phantom Wallet Extension

  • slot demo commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Terima kasih atas informasi yang sangat bermanfaat! Saya sangat setuju dengan poin yang disampaikan dalam artikel ini. Untuk informasi lebih lanjut tentang topik ini, Anda juga dapat mengunjungi situs saya [slot demo] untuk mendapatkan wawasan yang lebih mendalam.

  • stadelahly commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Al Ahly Fans’ Website is a dedicated platform that serves as a hub for all passionate supporters of Al Ahly sporting club. It offers a diverse range of content, including match updates, player profiles, historical insights, and fan interactions. The موقع جماهير الاهلى a vital role in connecting fans from all over the world, allowing them to stay informed and engaged with the latest news and developments related to their favorite team. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive coverage, Al Ahly Fans’ Website has become an essential resource for all followers of the club.

  • ไม่สนใจ commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    I like your blog, the information you’ve provided on the website, and the helpful info you provide in your articles ignou mba projectand conclusions to be exactly what I was thinking when I first saw these. This works well for us, thank you. Try visiting this link tooignou mcom project

  • vwslot commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    I definitely enjoying every little bit of it. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work. akun pro thailand

  • xender download commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    “Discover the simplicity of Xender download for fast and secure file transfers.”xender download

  • xender download commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    “Get Xender now and experience seamless sharing of photos, videos, and more.”xender download

  • Ayaş Satılık Daire commented on March 23, 2024 Reply
  • Shrubs Garden commented on March 23, 2024 Reply
  • "Simple fitness for beginners" commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    “FitYourselfNow” appears to suggest a proactive approach to personal wellness and fitness. “Simple fitness for beginners”

  • bushra commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    I found your this post while searching for some related information on blog search…Its a good post..keep posting and update the information. fashion heels

  • Mari Datangi commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

    Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually realize what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my site =). We could have a hyperlink change contract between us! สล็อตเว็บตรง

  • Data Sydney commented on March 23, 2024 Reply
  • Data Oregon commented on March 23, 2024 Reply
  • Slot Gacor commented on March 23, 2024 Reply
  • Selebtoto commented on March 23, 2024 Reply
  • Slot Gacor commented on March 23, 2024 Reply

Leave a Reply to slot demo Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *