Hated in the Nation

What if they just wear masks or cover their faces? Do they still kill them? The plot doesn't make much sense. I guess you can find ways for them to protect themselves.

This is simply one of the most brilliant single episodes of a TV show I've ever seen. The story, acting, pacing, mystery, action, etc., were all on point. Easily one of the best episodes of the show.

"Black Mirror" (2011) remains the best science fiction show on television; I'd rate the six-episode third season a perfect 10. The show continues to succeed at every level with its story concepts and their execution. And I think it's actually getting better.

It's getting darker and harder hitting, too. I'd guess that this season's blackmailing-hackers episode ("Shut Up and Dance") would be the one that the majority of viewers find the most disturbing. For some reason, the man-vs.-monster story of "Men Against Fire" is the one that really got under my skin.

I was surprised to learn that nearly all of "Black Mirror's" episodes are penned by series creator Charlie Brooker. I'm still surprised at how many clever ideas and lean, smart scripts could spring from one writer. I was so impressed that I looked Brooker up on Wikipedia -- but was surprised to discover I'm unfamiliar with nearly all of his other work. The one exception is "Dead Set" (2008) -- the truly fantastic British zombie horror miniseries that I've been recommending to friends for ages. That makes sense.

Anyway, I am fully and happily converted to "Black Mirror's" cult following, and I enthusiastically recommend it to people who ask about it. (The show's popularity is still growing -- I believe it appeals to the same kind of fans as those who flocked to the various iterations of "The Twilight Zone" and "The Outer Limits" of generations past.) But I might actually suggest that newcomers begin with the second or third season, rather than the first. Season 1 is terrific, but it's three episodes are more subtle and thematic, while the latter seasons follow a more conventional story structure that might better appeal to more mainstream audiences. (They have more satisfying twists and emotional payoffs, too.)

And a quick caveat -- I'll reiterate that this show is indeed dark. There is a strictly human element to most of "Black Mirror's" twists that is intended to surprise the viewer by provoking anxiety or dread. For a show that relies on technological story devices, it succeeds even more with its old fashioned psychological horror.

Black Mirror always manages to enthrall and entertain, and every so often it manages something verging on utter brilliance, Hated in the Nation is such an episode. It shows a craft, a skill, an intelligence, and proves that story telling is indeed an art. The imagination behind this is nothing short of genius, almost every element stuns.

The fantastic story is equally matched by the superb performances, Kelly MacDonald and Elizabeth Berrington stand out for me, but everyone plays their part.

I don't want to imagine a world without bees.

Feature film feel and quality, this is one of the best. 10/10

This episode is the longest episode of entire Black Mirror series and in my opinion its also the best episode of it too. If I have to exemplify the reasons that why i choose this episode as the best, I can say that this episode is the nearest future ever to us. And you can feel that it is near and it is coming to us either we want it or we don't. Technology is our future. And as they say, our future is bright. Ironically, they show us how "bright" our future is in every episode but in this one they show you how close the "future" is and how scary it is. This episode also includes the fact that we can be cruel in social media. We believe that we are untouchable when we just typing on our desktops or laptops whatever. But episode shows the fact that we are NOT. Thats the way that how the episode can scare you. And you ask yourself that "Am I involved in this ?" "Am I a part of this bullshit?" And answer is simple. "Yes, you are." Welcome to the future. Face it or leave it.