6/ Your worst nightmare relived in a video game (Episode 2, Season 3)
Playtest is a hard hitting episode. A tourist agrees to be a tester for a company’s video game. However they realise that the company’s game makes them relive their worst nightmares. Was it really worth it?
Could this happen in real life?
The Flying Mollusk studio has created a video game for those who are foolhardy. Depending on the stress of the user which is analysed using captors, the level of game is adapted. With technologies like facial recognition and intelligent cameras, companies have thrown themselves into creating games with a striking virtual reality which is really quite frightening!
7/ Digital medication, artificial organs, DNA corrector and other e-Health services (Episode 6, Season 4)
In the episode called Black Museum, directed by Charlie Brooker, everyone risks their life in the terrible world of e-Health. DNA correctors, digital pills or artificial organs are the start of a genetic service which has both good and bad qualities… What happens in this episode of Black Mirror? Doctor Peter Dawson places a neurological implant in himself so that he can feel the physical sensations, in particular the pain, of his patients. By doing this he hopes that he can become an expert in diagnosing medical problems. However he also uses the implant to improve sexual relations with his girlfriend.
Could this happen in real life?
In 2017, an American firm released a “haptic” jacket, which is mainly used for gaming and which is made up of about fifteen sensors. When you receive a ball in a game you will feel the painful sensation of being hit in the chest. This type of accessory is not available to buy in the gaming world, but it could be suitable in the world of medicine in the not to distant future…
8/ A pizza van with out a driver (Episode 3, Season 4)
Following an argument, Mia kills her ex with a driverless pizza truck. This episode of Black Mirror turned out to be quite perceptive.
Could this happen in real life?
The car company Toyota and the sit in or takeaway pizza company Pizza Hut have come together to create a driverless pizza truck that can deliver pizzas to your home. This collaboration was announced no long after the episode was released which must have spooked more than just one fan.
9/ The attraction of revulsion (Episode 1, Season 1)
The National Anthem episode of Black Mirror sets the tone for the series. In this first episode of the series, the viewer can only half suppress their disgust of what they are seeing. There is a terrible scene when the British Prime Minister must have a sexual relationship with a live pig on national television if he wants the country’s princess to be released from kidnappers with extreme ideas.
Could this happen in real life ?
Zoophilia is a criminal offense in the United Kingdom. The first episode of Black Mirror seems strangely consistent with the accusations made on David Cameron when he was a student at Oxford (Pig Gate case). However the director claims not to have been inspired by this controversial case as he knew nothing about it. Some documents claim that the former Prime Minister placed his penis into the mouth of a dead pig. The story does not say if it was an integration evening obligation, a dare or zoophila pleasure… Anyway, the episode (real this time) is in the records.
10/ Anti-political candidates (Episode 3, Season 2)
Jamie becomes an electoral candidate in spite of his credentials as a failed comedian. At the beginning of the episode, he is the man behind a cartoon blue bear called Waldo who interviews politicians. When he begins to gain popularity with the public, the channel that employs him decides to make him apply to the local elections.
Could this happen in real life?
The Waldo Moment is a satirical episode that many would describe as visionary when we think back to Donald Trump’s election. Some also see it as an early allusion to iPhone avatars created by easy recognition, released well after the episode.
