Black Mirror has always been a grim, dark show. Popularized through its similarities with The Twilight Zone, it’s a show about the dangers of humanity, not technology, like how some people believe. “National Anthem,” Black Mirror‘s pilot, is probably the most crucial episode of the series. Pilots are mood setters; they dictate how the series will continue and feel. Well-made pilots keep viewers watching and interested in the series; they make you want to keep watching and click on the next episode. “National Anthem” is quite the introduction for Black Mirror. The episode starts with the Prime Minister receiving an emergency call; the princess has been kidnapped. The deadly kidnapper sends out a video on youtube, where the princess is crying and putting out the demands that will bring her back. The Prime Minister expects to her about money or some political action. The Secret Service quickly warns him that the order directly affects him. To his dismay, it’s asked of him to have sexual intercourse with a pig on live television at precisely 4 PM.
Black Mirror has never been shy to disturb its audience. One can always count on the show to send a message that sicks, usually delivered in the form of a plot twist. “National Anthem” shocked audiences and characters; no one expected the Prime Minister to comply with the demand. But ultimately, he did. The Secret Service and he were within a time limit, or the kidnapper would kill the princess. Despite everything done, there was no choice but to submit to the inexplicable request—everyone tunes in to watch the act happen, in which the princess is released. According to my interpretation, the kidnapper’s message was to prove that people would focus on what didn’t matter. We are so engrossed in celebrities’ lives as the public rather than those surrounding us. We are interested in the abstract idea of what is happening to them rather than essential. The point of the mission was to recover the princess. Not only for the Prime Minister but the citizens of the UK. In a way, it was everyone’s responsibility to keep an eye out for the princess, to see if she would be released or has escaped. Instead, the people want to see the Prime Minister embarrass himself.
“National Anthem” may not be the best Black Mirror episode or not even the best start. However, it’s a statement about the show. The world of the series is very harsh and dark. People and events never turn out as expected. Mostly though, it’s selfish. The characters will be more concerned over themselves than anyone or anything. Despite this not being sweet, it’s raw. Black Mirror, in a way, is realistic. The world is selfish a lot of times. The characters are always in situations they created themselves as we watch them destroy everything or save the day. The show keeps us interested because we have to see how they can disturb us. How can the show portray how self-destructive human nature is, significantly when technology is misused? So far, the show hasn’t failed too far in doing that, and I patiently wait to see them do it again.
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