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Comment by larperdoodle | Hacker News Reader

Black Mirror is a scifi anthology show and season 1 episode 1 is an extremely off putting and non representative episode where a politician is blackmailed into live streaming themselves fucking a pig. The show was later acquired by Netflix and it is in their best interest to make sure that isn't the first episode of the show people see.

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Isn’t it funny that they decided that, of all episodes, was the one that crossed some sort of line decency. The episode was entirely on-brand, but I can see how someone might watch that one episode and be turned off.

The themes and ideas presented presented in later episodes left me far more shocked and moved. “San Junipero” and “Smithereens” were incredibly moving for me personally, while other episodes were absolutely fascinating because they took some aspects of our society and humanity and took them to their logical extreme.

The most shocking part of all is how true to reality most episodes are. What set S01E01 apart was it didn’t rely on sci-fi to tell its story, which is the only way in which it isn’t on brand.

I would argue that it could be off-putting (it's probably one of the harder episodes to watch) but I don't see how it's not representative of the rest of the show.

Art isn't all pretty landscapes and pictures of boats (though those are nice too); sometimes it's challenging and though provoking and that episode is certainly one I remember. I've often said "Children of Men" is the best movie I'll never watch again, and while I wouldn't go so far as that on Black Mirror episode 1, I won't be watching it again either.

You stated the concept well. Brazil [1985] is the best movie I'll never watch again. It has just become too close to reality within my lifetime and is not so funny anymore. It used to be hilarious.

I'd say I'm a big fan of Gilliam's look/style and "Brazil" definitely epitomizes that. I didn't see it until sometime in the last decade, so it's hard to imagine that it was ever a comedy really, though Bob Hoskin's performance was certainly amusing and memorable.

Upon reflection, "12 Monkeys" is another movie that was thought-provoking but will probably not get another play-through from me (well done Gilliam?). Perhaps as you suggest, reality has just become a bit too much and I'll just put "The Sound of Music" on on repeat from here on out, or whatever the cinematic equivalent of paintings of boats and pretty landscapes may be.

It’s very good, but I didn’t find it hard to watch.

“Come and See” however I don’t want to see again, despite it possibly being the best film ever.

That’s interesting. I’ve only seen two episodes, and this was one of them. This was largely what put me off the show. I’m not opposed to shock, but the episode was just so blunt and gross for grossness’ sake. Maybe I should check out other episodes.

And your response is exactly why they didn't want that episode first.

It's the only episode with any gross out factor. And it's pretty intense in that respect for many people - enough to turn them off a great series.

>episode was just so blunt and gross for grossness’ sake

as gross as the news similar thing actually did happen in real life?

what similar thing happened in real life?

Real UK Prime Minister was an actual pig fucker, of his own volition no less, no blackmails necessary

https://news.yahoo.com/british-prime-minister-reveals-put-00...

https://www.thedailybeast.com/david-cameron-accused-of-sex-a...

This is lewd, but is clearly an attempt at immature humor. There's no human misery, (at least for the participants -- the voters may feel differently) no blackmail, and no obscene livestreaming of the act. (thank god) I'm certainly not defending something this disgusting, but it's still quite different than what was portrayed on the show.

Weird for me to see the responses here. It was one of the only episodes I really liked since it seemed a lot more plausible. Also was kind of funny especially since Cameron may well have fucked a pig in his day.

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