San Junipero

This is a touching episode. But there are some shortcomings. I agree with the reviewer who said that given the opportunities that they had, why did they choose to do so little. Partying, having sex, and driving around in sports cars. I wonder if there are other realities, or do all the people pretty much live in that place for eternity. A clever bit is how the technology changes over time. The bond between the two main characters is fine, but I found them rather dull. But the concept is quite intriguing, even if it isn't pulled off perfectly.

"San Junipero" is one of those films where it is not possible to write a synopsis without spoilers. The direction and the screenplay are amazing and sensitive, with magnificent performances of Gugu Mbatha-Raw, in the role of an independent party girl, and Mackenzie Davis, in the role of a shy woman with nerd appearance. The lesbian love story is beautiful, subtle and delicate and never offensive. But the plot point is fantastic and unexpected. "Black Mirror" usually has dark conclusions but "San Junipero" is the first episode with an optimistic happy ending with a wonderful view of death. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "San Junipero"

All the feels.

ALL of them.

Anything over than tears and cheering at the TV as Belinda Carlisle plays over the credits is evidence of some severe lack of emotional aspect.

This is not what I expected, not from Black Mirror, not from the tone of episodes 1-3 (and every episode from the earlier seasons). But Charlie Brooker has shown he can do more than creepy or scary or unease. This was ~EXPLETIVE~ beautiful. And somehow it fits. It works. I don't feel like I've been cheated by this Black Mirror episode. It makes the series feel more rounded, more whole. That glint of gold among the sand.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis are spectacular. The soundtrack is just perfect.

Just... just go watch it. Or re-watch it. I can't do justice to this episode, it is truly spectacular.

I find this episode to be among my all time top five TV favorites. The others, in chronological order, are: first and last episodes of Twin Peaks, Jose Chung's From Outer Space of X-Files, and Blink of Doctor Who. Yes, all sci-fi/fantasy (I was spoiled by 2001: A Space Odyssey when I was ten years old).

The backbone on which this episode is built is a flawless script that depicts a love story in an uncanny background. This being Black Mirror one pays attention to details, and the initial eighties setting raises questions (that are later answered). The cinematography, lightning, and other technical details are first rate, up to the point that San Junipero feels "real". The music, mostly from the eighties, is great and all the tracks relate to the plot so well that it shows the art put into making this episode.

But what makes San Junipero stand out (and make it to my personal top five) is the acting. In particular Mackenzie Davis transmits the emotions of her character with such authenticity that it increases the suspense of the story to a point that even having seen it several times in two months, I do not get tired of watching it. Or her.

Other reviewers complain that San Junipero is not your typical Black Mirror episode of technological darkness. While that is true, believe me it is worth watching even if you have only a dark side. Also I understand that the LGBT community might feel particularly for this episode. But it is really a timeless and placeless love story, which can take place between a man and a woman, two persons of the same sex, or even between bytes.

Finally other reviewers suggest this should be made into a movie. This was done before (I remember at least one of Kieslowski's Decalog). But instead I suggest making a San Junipero 2 centered on Billy Griffin Jr.'s character. He is the only other person in SJ wearing glasses. And at the beginning he tells Mackenzie Davis' character that the video game she is playing was the first one made with two different endings depending if there are one or two players. Cross my fingers.

Absolutely blow away by the crafting, writing, and visual pallet of this episode. I must say, I only began watching black mirror literally 2 weeks ago and I've been really pleased with the clever and creative way all the stories unravel and revolve around tech. However,this episode brought emotion, inspiration, and discovery in a way I couldn't have imagined.

Really loved seeing the stylizing of the decades. I mean everything was used perfectly,both women were amazing. Although, Charlie Brooker the writer, is a true maestro. The cinematography was that of a modern nostalgic masterpiece. Truly, one of the most beautiful pieces of art I've seen this year.