Black Mirror Season 5 Review: A Much Shorter But Still Thought Provoking Season

For those who arent aware, "Black Mirror" is a sci fi anthology series by Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones. See my previous reviews here On the surface, the series investigates the effects of technology on humans. But what the show is really about is the frailty of humans and how we react to happenings around us (be they technological or otherwise).

There are only three episodes in season 5. I'll take what I can get. Three is better than none. The episodes are:

Striking Vipers- Danny (Anthony Mackie from "Avengers" and "Agents Of SHIELD") gets for his birthday from his bestie a new VR game named "Striking Viper X". His friend Karl (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II from "Aquaman") says the game will blow his mind-- because the player can feel all the physical sensations that are occurring within the game. Karl and Danny start out fighting "Mortal Combat" style. They quickly end up having sex in the game. Karl's character is a female named Roxette. Danny's character is Lance. Danny's wife Theo knows something is up with her husband. Danny cuts off contact with Lance but they are both compelled to go back to the game. The men kiss in real life but claim to not feel anything. They then get in a fight and end up at the police station. In the end, Danny tells Theo what is happening offscreen. In the final scene, Danny is back in the game while Theo is out meeting new men. They both have apparently accepted what the other is doing. This episode brings up some very interesting questions-- especially as more and more people spend time gaming. Is this an analogy for porn? Is cheating in VR, the same as cheating in IRL? Does this mean Danny and Karl are gay? Does it matter? What does this mean for their friendship? None of these are easy answers.
Smithereens- A Hitcher (think Uber) driver named Chris (Andrew Scott of "Sherlock") kidnaps an employee of the social media company Smithereen. The poor guy (Jaden) turns out to just be an intern. Chris wants to talk to Billy Bauer (the president of Smithereen) or he's threatening to kill Jaden. Billy is played by Topher Grace (of "That 70s Show" fame). Smithereen and the police desperately look for intel on the kidnapper. It should be noted that Smithereen knows WAY more about Chris than even the police. That, in itself, should scare you. Chris' finance was killed by a drunk driver several years ago. It turns out to really be Chris' fault because... guess what... he was distracted by social media. A sniper fires at the car as Chris and Jaden struggle for the gun. We're not sure what happens after that. This is my least favorite episode of the season. While the show is a cautionary tale, the pacing seems way off to me. I think it could have been shortened by maybe half.
Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too- It stars Miley Cyrus as a pop star who quotes motivational sayings. She is even selling a cute little Alexa-like device that is named "Ashley Too". It can keep you company, do sing alongs and even offer makeup tips. It turns out Ashley is NOTHING like her persona. She is extremely disillusioned and severly depressed. She doesnt want to be a cutsie singer any longer. Her aunt/manager has other plans and puts her into a coma. Supposedly they (Catherine and her hired staff) can still detect Ashley's brain waves. She is composing music (even while in a coma). Catherine is still trying to cash in on her niece and develops a hologram that will tour the world as Ashley. I think this has been tried IRL with Whitney Houston, Elvis, Roy Orbison and even Amy Winehouse. Freaky stuff. Anywho, Ashley Too malfunctions and ends up with all of Ashley's real personality (not just the sweet stuff). Don't ask. No, it doesnt make sense. That's when Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too head to her house to try to help Ashley. And I wont give away the ending but its a lot of fun. This is my most favorite episode of the season. Miley hits it out the park. The show is also thought provoking. What does our use of robot companions mean for humans? Does it really matter if he/she/it isnt "human" as long as it make the person less lonely and isolated?

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). The three episodes of season 5 of "Black Mirror" were over too soon. The stories continue to be thought provoking. Technological innovation may progress but humanity's ability to cope does not. My favorite of these three episodes is "Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too". Miley Cyrus brings it (and I can say I was not a fan before this). I hope she continues acting cause she definitely has some chops.