5. "If that thing is the main opposition then the whole system looks absurd." -Black Mirror
Black Mirror is an anthology series created by Charlie Brooker that takes a look at the way technology changes the ways humans interact with one another in society. Some episodes are futuristic explorations of high-concept stories about having computer chips store memories in your brain that can be played back, or dystopian societies in which people are constantly forced to work for and look at the artificial system they are a part of. Series two did not pack quite the same emotional punch as the first, but the satire remained on target. In this particular episode, titled The Waldo Moment, a comedian who uses motion-capture technology to interview politicians as a talking blue bear named Waldo runs fto become an MP as a fictional character. As the show is intent on depicting the surreal events of the story within the realm of reality, the bear is summarily dismissed by the other candidates. However, when the Tory candidate makes fun of the comedian personally, Waldo embarks on a grand diatribe that decries the state of politics on the information age. This line is actually from the Conservative candidate, played beautifully by Tobias Menzies, but the irony in it is that in 2013 and beyond our elections don't need to be infiltrated by a talking bear in order to make the whole system look absurd.
Bryan Hickman is a WhatCulture contributor residing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Bryan's passions include film, television, basketball, and writing about himself in the third person.
