A lot of networks have made gimmicky 360 VR videos related to their hit shows, and originally this was planned as nothing more than that; something that would transport the viewer into a hack for a minute or two, just for the thrill of it. But when Sam Esmail was brought in, he said "if we're going to do this, we may as well do this properly", and what was only supposed to be a tech demo turned into a full-fledged 13 minute episode of the show.
The episode was released in the middle of season 2, but it takes place a little earlier, probably between episodes 6 and 7 of season 1. It focusses on Elliot reliving a painful memory of a date with his girlfriend Shayla. If you have watched the show, this is a heartbreaking story, but even if you haven't you can probably get some enjoyment out of the episode since it does not rely heavily on the lore of the show and it is told in such an interesting way.
As I have mentioned, the episode is a 360 VR video, meaning that it captures the entire spherical view of what is around the camera, and the viewer can look around as though they were actually in the space with the characters. Most demos I have seen with this technology take place in a single shot, and even if there are cuts they come out of necessity and not as a method of stringing together a narrative. This is the first instance I have ever seen of a filmmaker taking the technology and actually using it to make a film that tells a story. I'm sure there have been others, but the point is that this is way ahead of its time, ridiculously impressive, and very cool to watch.
All in all, this is a stunning little mini-episode of Mr. Robot. It's a must-watch for anyone who is a fan of the show or just interested in the technology.
