BLACK MIRROR: BE RIGHT BACK

SAM BETTANY

HOW IS THE EPISODE POSTMODERN?Black Mirror – Be Right Back Postmodern Features:- Dystopian Narrative – a dark/twisted look on impact of future

technology and the powers of social media

- Flattening of Affect – Ash’s clone lacks any kind of sympathy/empathy towards Martha unless instructed

- Blurring – Ash’s clone is a physical reality with artificial intelligence

- Intertextuality – references to The Island, Orphan Black, Star Wars, Jurassic Park (cloning/human cloning)

- Themed around grief + identity – puts the spectator in an active position

APPLYING BAURILLARD’S THEORYHyper reality:- Contrast between virtual and reality – providing Martha with

a chance to have a clone of Ash – service levels of the ‘experimental’ system

- Non-existing system – system doesn’t exist

- Non-existing product? - Incorporating a desktop interface onto an art workspace

APPLYING FOUCAULT'S THEORYPanopticism and Voyeurism:- Voyeurism – Martha stills derives sexual pleasure and

gratification from looking at Ash’s clone, especially for the first time when he appears naked, in order to ease the psychological pain she has incurred.

- Panopticism – Ash’s clone has discipline and acts in a different way as to how Ash would because the system is controlling and surveilling him.

- Voyeuristic slaves – The experimental system is too tempting for people like Martha to not act upon when it seems as if she wasn’t going to be persuaded by Sarah.

CHALLENGE OTHER MEDIA?Differences from other texts:- Mass media companies promote and advertise a product or

services innovation and how it can bring a positive change or impact to our lives. Examples include Apple, Twitter etc. With this episode of Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker explores the power and potential behind someone's online identities and profiles – only showing positive emotions/feelings.

- The episode heavily focuses on the idea of grief and if technology is the cure to any of people like Martha who has lost her partner.

- Creating a relationship early on with the technology/system. For example, when Martha drops her phone and later recovers it, the first thing she says to ‘Ash’ is “I thought I’d lost you”

SIMILAR TO OTHER MEDIA?Similarities to other texts:- Deals with the psychological and emotional needs of one

(Martha) after the devastating loss of her partner.

- Similar to other films and TV shows involving human cloning (The Island, Orphan Black, Star Wars)

- Similar to current TV dramas/documentaries/films which represent ideas about society and social media (Catfish, We Live In Public, Disconnect)

IMPACT ON TARGET AUDIENCE?AudienceChannel 4 - mass channel however aimed at niche audience because the episode isn’t light-hearted and it requires a knowledgeable audience that is familiar with present-day society and the impact and rise of social media.

Effects Theory or Reception Theory?Effects Theory – passive audiences who accept and take in messages in texts because they are easily influenced

Reception Theory – active audiences who challenge/question messages in texts

Due to the active position that Charlie Brooker puts the audience in, the text is consumed by a passive audience that accepts the message about the powers and potential of social media and technology, therefore conforming to the Effects theory

TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA EXPLORED?Themes:- Privacy – personal online profiles

- Power of online media – data used to generate artificial clone

- Human Cloning – a sceptical topic which is possible but not necessarily ethical in some peoples opinions.

- Potential of Technology – a system that can generate a clone based off a collection of visual and audio data.

- Grief – Various types of pains and how technology is eases but not necessarily cures emotional and psychological pain.

CHALLENGE OR REINFORCE NARRATIVE?Concept of Narrative:- Linear narrative for the most part – reinforces narrative

concept- Non-Linear narrative in which the story advances 7 years

near the end – challenges narrative concept- Martha has given birth to her daughter and it is her

birthday. - Ash’s clone is kept upstairs in the loft, in which the

daughter is allowed to visit him on weekends- This conforms to society and the way divorced parents

tend to schedule visits from their children.

THE END