Black Mirror's first episode was darkly humorous and suspenseful, while its second was a heartbreaking Greek tragedy. Now we have "The entire history of you", which is neither humorous, nor devastatingly tragic. It is however painful and uncomfortable to watch. The technological aspect of this episode is simple: humans have the ability to recall their own memories at the press of a button. We can rewind, zoom in, and examine every detail of our lives in painstaking detail.
What makes this episode so painful, is that we witness the end of a once loving relationship, in all its sad, pathetic and all too human frailty and weakness. The technology that seemed so useful and essential now becomes a curse and enhances our cruel nature.
As great sci-fi should, it provokes thought about our past and future and our relationship with technology, while still telling an intrinsically human story, with real emotion and sadness.
What makes this episode so painful, is that we witness the end of a once loving relationship, in all its sad, pathetic and all too human frailty and weakness. The technology that seemed so useful and essential now becomes a curse and enhances our cruel nature.
As great sci-fi should, it provokes thought about our past and future and our relationship with technology, while still telling an intrinsically human story, with real emotion and sadness.