TV Review: Black Mirror 2.2, "White Bear"

rating: 5

Continuing our run into Black Mirror II, Charlie Brooker starts to up the ante in this latest miniseries, in which he paints a disturbing society which has a fascination of observing one individual, to the point of insanity. White Bear focuses on a character named Victoria (Lenora Crichlow) who wakes up in a post apocalyptic like world in which the population are brainless voyeurs observing her with a mobile phone, whilst she is hunted down by masked "hunters". She then befriends a fellow survivor, who is also running from "hunters" and both are caught in a terrifying world in which there seems to be no escape. Unlike the previous episode, which was more slowly paced as well as atmospheric, White Bear is fast paced and tantalisingly thrilling to watch. You are thrown into this bizzare, soulless like world which the human population has become zombie like observers, using mobile phones to record the character of Victoria's every move. Crazy idea, but it translates into great television none the less. The opening of this episode takes off very quickly, and by the time the first ad break came, time just flew by in a breeze. Trust me, its that exciting as a viewer. To get so absorbed into the story and the main character just makes you more eager for the ad breaks to be quicker, and the story to be longer. There is a real sense that this world mirrors a post apocalyptic like state. Like I said, the humans act like zombies in many ways, but without the hunger and decaying essence surrounding them. They don't respond to Victoria, or try to assist her in anyway. And with that, they are just as dangerous as the "hunters" are in the story. Their lack of sympathy isolates the main character in a world she has no understanding or knowledge of, with very little help around her. The acting in this story is very good, with Crichlow giving a strong lead performance and somewhat carrying the entire story with little supporting performances as good. Michael Smiley's supporting role is one to watch, as for the time he has on screen, he makes the most of it and does well with the material he's given. But what really makes this story stand out is really the last act. Charlie Brooker's talent as a writer comes in twists. And with white bear, the last act completely turns the story around Sixth Sense style. What you knew about the main character is tossed out the window, and instead you are given a more grim, lifeless situation in which Crichlow's character is someone entirely different. And with the closing credits, you see the true layers of this so called "world" being unveiled before our very eyes, which is not only unsuspecting, but almost inhuman if this was ever brought into the real world. In short, Brooker knocks it out of the park once again with another extraordinary piece of television, that will build its fan slowly and surely in years to come. What did you make of this episode? Let us know in the comments section below.