This put up incorporates spoilers for the “Black Mirror” episodes “Eulogy” and “The Total Historical past of You.”
“Black Mirror” followers typically fear that the present has run out of real surprises or significant issues to say. There is a acquainted system now to how a typical “Black Mirror” episode ought to go down: a seemingly sympathetic character is launched to sci-fi know-how, the tech seems be eviler than first assumed, and the primary character is revealed to be extra complicit on this evil than we might’ve guessed. For the character to be a pure harmless sufferer of the know-how is not sufficient; the horror would not land until the sufferer at the least partially brings it upon themself.
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On the floor at the least, “Eulogy” checks off all of these containers. Paul Giamatti’s character Phillip is launched as a lonely, heartbroken man, who’s requested to make use of a sentient picture-enhancing laptop to revisit key moments from a relationship in his twenties. The know-how permits him to stroll into previous pictures, letting his reminiscences fill in and improve the stuff present exterior the body. It is a cool idea but it surely’s not one Phillip is thrilled to participate in. He hates his recently-deceased ex-girlfriend Carol, and this strategy of revisiting his glad moments along with her rapidly brings out his vindictive aspect. He cannot cease speaking about how Carol was egocentric and she or he ruined his life.
However as we watch him discuss Carol, it is clear there’s a variety of guilt beneath his bitterness. Round midway by way of we discover out that Phillip cheated on her simply as a lot as she cheated on him. We additionally be taught that he had a ingesting downside, that he hadn’t taken her musical pursuits as critically as he ought to’ve, and that he simply wasn’t an excellent boyfriend on the whole. Like a lot of “Black Mirror” protagonists over the present’s run, Phillip is not any saint.
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‘Eulogy’ is the other of ‘The Total Historical past of You’
Some followers may examine “Eulogy” to an episode like season 4’s “Crocodile,” which options related memory-scanning know-how. Or perhaps they will examine it to season 3’s standout “San Junipero,” a love story the place the characters get to revisit the many years of their youth. For me it is most paying homage to a narrative from all the best way again in season 1: “The Total Historical past of You.” In that episode, a jealous boyfriend obsessively rewinds and over-analyzes moments between him and his spouse, finally confirming that she’s not solely cheated on him however has knowingly had a child with the person she cheated with.
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I’ve at all times disliked “The Total Historical past of You,” not as a result of the writing is unhealthy however as a result of I discovered the episode depressing even by “Black Mirror” requirements. The story’s made extra disturbing by the undercurrent of misogyny all through it: the primary character is controlling and vindictive in the direction of his spouse, which solely makes it messier and extra uncomfortable when his suspicions about her are confirmed 100% appropriate. We by no means really get the spouse’s full aspect of the story right here; we solely see her from her indignant, bitter husband’s viewpoint.
“Eulogy” can be in regards to the breakdown of a relationship, full with a reveal that the lady concerned had cheated and had one other man’s child. However despite the fact that the episode additionally sticks to the person’s perspective — to the purpose the place we do not see Carol’s face till the very finish — “Eulogy” is extra eager about asking how the lady feels. As Phillip trash-talks Carol all through, the Information he is with (a digital consciousness following him alongside within the reminiscence simulation, performed by Patsy Ferran) is consistently nudging him (and the viewer) to think about Carol’s viewpoint.
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What occurs to the spouse and child after “The Total Historical past of You” is a complete thriller, however “Eulogy” follows up on Carol and her child, ending their story in a dignified approach. There’s much more to Carol than what she did to Phillip, and the episode by no means forgets to verify we all know this.
Black Mirror provides Paul Giamatti a spectacular appearing second
“The Total Historical past of You” continues to be an efficient critique of poisonous masculinity, with the primary character finally regretting his obsessive habits. But it surely’s a chilly, merciless examination of the subject, one that usually feels prefer it’s sneering at humanity itself. “Eulogy,” in the meantime, is optimistic at its core. Phillip slowly proves himself value rooting for, and the memory-enhancing know-how right here is undoubtedly a internet constructive for the world.
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Very like Paul Giamatti’s character’s arc in “The Holdovers,” you possibly can see life returning to grumpy previous Phillip, little by little, as he will get deeper into reminiscing about Carol. By the point the episode reaches its greatest reveal — Phillip discovers Carol had left a very necessary letter for him — all of Phillip’s protestations have dropped: this man nonetheless loves Carol deeply, irrespective of how a lot he is claimed in any other case. Giamatti’s efficiency hints at this from minute one in every of course, but it surely’s a thrill to see Phillip determine this out for himself. It is cathartic to look at him go from reluctantly pulling out a couple of pictures to excitedly rummaging by way of his previous issues for something Carol-related.
When Phillip lastly will get to see younger Carol’s face once more, revisiting his long-sought reminiscence of her taking part in an authentic track on her cello, Giamatti’s taking part in a person who’s lastly let himself really feel once more. He is been by way of a tragic journey with plenty of ugly moments, together with one particularly devastating intestine punch within the last act, however not like most “Black Mirror” protagonists he is come out of it a greater particular person. “The Total Historical past of You” was a couple of man who succumbs to his rage and insecurities; “Eulogy” is a couple of man who lets them go.
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