Usie's recent activity
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Comment on Black Mirror S2E01 "Be Right Back" discussion thread in ~tv
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Comment on Black Mirror S1E03 "The Entire History of You" discussion thread in ~tv
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Comment on Black Mirror S1E03 "The Entire History of You" discussion thread in ~tv
Usie LinkI love all the subtle storytelling that goes on in this episode to support the main plot, and I catch something new each time I watch it. Jonas asks Liam and Ffion if they want to go to a bar...I love all the subtle storytelling that goes on in this episode to support the main plot, and I catch something new each time I watch it. Jonas asks Liam and Ffion if they want to go to a bar before following them to their house to drink. It's only after he gets there and is turned away by Liam that he goes with his "back-up plan", which we learn later on is hooking up with Hallam. The fact that he would have rather spent more time with Fi than hook up with someone is rife for speculation about his feelings for Fi, how much he's aware of the baby, and perhaps the true reasons why his last relationship ended. Fi mentions towards the end that Liam grabbed a condom from his car, but both the audience and Liam are already aware of the fact that Liam actually owns a motorcycle. Anyone else have any favorite unspoken details in this episode?
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Comment on Make a statement about yourself, run it through Google translate 1 or more times and translate back into English. Post the final result. in ~talk
Usie Link"...The effect of which is like having your brains smashed out with a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick." English -> Haitian Creole -> Scottish Gaelic -> Xhosa -> English "...The..."...The effect of which is like having your brains smashed out with a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick."
English -> Haitian Creole -> Scottish Gaelic -> Xhosa -> English
"...The amount of brain inflammation and the part of the almonds around the golden trout."
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Comment on Black Mirror S1E02 "Fifteen Million Merits" discussion thread in ~tv
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Comment on Black Mirror S1E02 "Fifteen Million Merits" discussion thread in ~tv
Usie LinkI consider this my guilty-pleasure episode, as far as Black Mirror is concerned. I've heard numerous talking points about everything from how the bikes couldn't generate enough electricity to...I consider this my guilty-pleasure episode, as far as Black Mirror is concerned. I've heard numerous talking points about everything from how the bikes couldn't generate enough electricity to power the facility to the episode's deviation from the more grounded nature of the rest of the show, but I still can't help but really enjoy it. The exaggerated nature of the world of this episode works for me and doesn't tarnish the message. Much of the episode is told through visuals rather than dialogue, so making the visuals much more unique is certainly a plus.
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Comment on Black Mirror S1E01 "The National Anthem" discussion thread in ~tv
Usie Link ParentOut of curiosity, how much had you heard about Black Mirror prior to watching this episode, and what are your expectations for the rest of the show?Out of curiosity, how much had you heard about Black Mirror prior to watching this episode, and what are your expectations for the rest of the show?
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Comment on Black Mirror S1E01 "The National Anthem" discussion thread in ~tv
Usie Link ParentI feel like a lot of that is due in part to Charlie Brooker's background in writing comedy. The show hadn't found its niche yet, so between this more darkly comedic episode, the next one having a...I think it is also tonally much much different from the rest of the show's episodes, which are typically a lot darker and more serious
I feel like a lot of that is due in part to Charlie Brooker's background in writing comedy. The show hadn't found its niche yet, so between this more darkly comedic episode, the next one having a much less hard approach to sci-fi, and the final episode of the series having a more standard tone when compared to the rest of the show, the writers were able to see what resonated with people.
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Comment on Black Mirror S1E01 "The National Anthem" discussion thread in ~tv
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Comment on Black Mirror S1E01 "The National Anthem" discussion thread in ~tv
Usie LinkEnough people have discussed the off-putting nature of the plot (and understandably so), so I'd like to point out just how incredible Rory Kinnear's performance in this is. It often gets lost in...Enough people have discussed the off-putting nature of the plot (and understandably so), so I'd like to point out just how incredible Rory Kinnear's performance in this is. It often gets lost in the discussion of the episode just how emotive yet genuine he is throughout the runtime, from the assertive sigh of relief to the gut-wrenching disgust of defeat.
In addition, the cinematography sets a high standard for the rest of Black Mirror to follow, which it thankfully does. Close-ups of the PM create an intimacy (perhaps an unfortunate turn of phrase, given the plot) between him and the audience, but there are also strikingly desolate shots of various landscapes throughout Britain that really sell the all-encompassing nature of the act.
On a lighter note, oh boy, do people have a lot of time on their hands. Get out of bed, man, you've been there all day! The hospital workers must have been sitting there for hours before the PM went live, as well.
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Comment on Is anyone interested in doing a Black Mirror rewatch and discussion? in ~tv
Usie LinkBlack Mirror has been my favorite show for a few years now. I've been needing to rewatch it (particularly some of the earlier episodes), so this gives me the perfect opportunity. Count me in.Black Mirror has been my favorite show for a few years now. I've been needing to rewatch it (particularly some of the earlier episodes), so this gives me the perfect opportunity. Count me in.
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Comment on Four Chord Song - Axis of Awesome in ~music
Usie LinkWhile we're on the subject of Axis of Awesome, I'd like to mention What Would Jesus Do?While we're on the subject of Axis of Awesome, I'd like to mention What Would Jesus Do?
I don't disagree for the most part, but I also think that the lack of closure sort of mirrors Martha throughout the episode. She can't stand to live with an imperfect imitation of Ash, but she can't let go of him either. As much as she tries to move on in her life, she clings to any remnant of his memory, so much so that we see in the closing shot that she still hasn't painted over the markings on the wall that showed his childhood growth.
In fact, I feel like that last shot purposefully encapsulates Martha's relationship with Ash's death. One foot is up on the ladder, one still on the ground; a part of her wants to go up and be with Ash, but the other is fully aware that he's not truly Ash and would rather just close the attic and forget that he exists. This duality leaves her in a perpetual state of limbo, therefore never leading to any closure. Brooker seems to be making a statement within the episode about the importance of grieving those lost and, as a part of that grieving process, moving on with one's own life. I agree that it doesn't have the major cathartic finale that most of the other episodes have, but I would say that that adds to the episode's message.