Play Repeat Culture Podcast

The future’s so bright, you gotta wear shades? Think again. In fact, don’t bother wasting the effort and just allow Black Mirror to show you the path we humans are on. Bleak? Tough. Get over it, or make changes. The first series of Black Mirror was first released on Channel 4 in the UK in 2011, and series two followed in 2012. After a brief hiatus, and backed by popular demand, the program has returned for series three, which you can find on Netflix now. As the world appears to be going crazy we thought we’d have a detailed look at Black Mirror from start to finish, episode by episode, starting with ‘The National Anthem’ (series one, episode one). The writing is terrific, the storylines feel familiar in so much as we’re looking not centuries into the future, but at our immediate or not too distant future. You’ll scratch your head, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and then sit in silence. If you like good television and aren’t afraid to take a disturbing look in the mirror, please join us as we throw ourselves headfirst into the alarming world of Black Mirror. We also preview the new Gross Net album, Quantitative Easing, with the first track ‘Citadel Ghosts’. The album will be released on November 25, but you can pre-order now, vinyl and/or a digital download. Touch Sensitive Records http://www.touchsensitiverecords.com Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-1 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

We continue with Black Mirror, series one, episode two, ‘Fifteen Million Merits’. A love story? Not quite. Do we all have a price? You’re getting warmer. Looking at ourselves in the mirror is not always a nice or comfortable thing, but the truth sometimes hurts. How does our future look? This episode could be it, and if it is….. Black Mirror can be unsettling, but it is a very well written television program. Too close to the bone? Put your head back in the sand. We continue our preview the new Gross Net album, Quantitative Easing, with the track ‘Still Life’. The album will be released on November 25, but you can pre-order now, vinyl and/or a digital download. Touch Sensitive Records http://www.touchsensitiverecords.com Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-1 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

We complete the first series of Black Mirror with episode three, ‘The Entire History of You’. A disturbing look at our potential use of technology, living in the past, and dealing with a pompous so-and-so at a dinner party. This episode has a different feel than the first two, but still manages to produce some uncomfortable viewing, again asking you if this is the future you want. Black Mirror can be unsettling, but it is a very well written television program. Too close to the bone? Put your head back in the sand. We continue our preview the new Gross Net album, Quantitative Easing, with the track ‘The Body’. The album will be released on November 25, but you can pre-order now, vinyl and/or a digital download. Touch Sensitive Records http://www.touchsensitiverecords.com Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-1 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

We were starting to become a little bit too relaxed. The confusion was easing off, and we can’t be having that. Bring on the exciting future! Surely we humans won’t let the future play out like the television program Black Mirror is suggesting? So far, they seem to be calling it right, and that’s not a good thing. Today we start series two, and episode one, ‘Be Right Back’. A brief description from the Channel 4 website: ‘When a young man dies, his partner finds out that she can stay in touch with him by creating a virtual version of him through his online history.’ Yes, it was never going to be anything other than suitably weird. Let’s dive in, and please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments on the website. Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

The quality of writing and storyline means we don’t want to turn away from Black Mirror, but that it somehow seems to get more disturbing as we go along…. Charlie Brooker and his team have done it again with series two, episode two ‘White Bear’. A disorientated woman wakes in an unfamiliar house, and the program moves along swiftly from there. We’ve been told by many of you that you’re able to watch Black Mirror along with us, and we hope that’s the case. If it is, join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. To say it has made an impact on us is an understatement. Tune in and find out how. Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

We’ve turned the corner into the second half of Black Mirror. Feeling better? Neither are we. This episode takes on the political system, amongst other things. Waldo is here to provoke, and there is real potential to influence, so some are more willing than others to take advantage. In the middle of this we have human beings who want to cultivate careers, relationships, and agendas. Just another day in the Black Mirror future. Your future. We’ve been told by many of you that you’re able to watch Black Mirror along with us, and we hope that’s the case. If it is, join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

The Christmas special ‘The Man’ never wanted you to see, Black Mirror signed off for 2012, and for what many thought was for good, with the episode White Christmas. Mr. Mad Men himself, Jon Hamm, stars in this episode that may finally qualify as proper sci-fi, but even if it doesn’t, it’s still very strange. Of course your mind is toyed with, a ‘cookie’ can be created and abused as a slave. Does Charlie Brooker love an implant? You bet he does! This episode got stronger as it went along, and the ending was one of the better ones in the series. If you’re watching Black Mirror along with us, and we hope this is the case, join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

We’ll like you, if you like us. We’ll follow you, if you follow us. Do we care about you? Of course, as long as you… Welcome to 2016, social media and the return of Black Mirror. The original hardcore fans thought Charlie Brooker and his team had said all they were going to in 2011/2012, but Netflix clearly made them an offer they couldn’t refuse, so the show has returned. In episode one of series three, the star of the show is a woman named Lacie. She and nearly everyone else in the Nosedive world give their social ranking full concentration, because all of their successes and failures will depend on it. Sounds like a beautiful thing. If you’re watching Black Mirror along with us, and we hope this is the case, join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat @mythoughts_o_e Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

Have you ever needed money so badly that you were willing to enrol in an experimental video game test, have an implant placed in your head, and then your mind controlled? Yes, it must be the softly softly world of Black Mirror. Young Cooper may have a few demons to deal with, and after heading out to travel the world, he ends up in London. One day he wakes to find his account has no money in it, so to be able to travel home he takes a job with a ground breaking gaming company. If you’re watching along with us, we’d love to read your post podcast thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat @mythoughts_o_e Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

Are these foolish mistakes? In some instances, but others are much more serious. What is a suitable punishment though? How far is too far? Welcome back to Black Mirror, and possibly the most dark and disturbing episode of them all, ‘Shut Up and Dance’. Unhappiness, amongst other things, leads people to make decisions they will soon regret, but in this episode we see a whole different level. Blackmail done to the extreme, and the fear of those in the firing line mean they’re willing to do just about anything to cover their tracks. You can only begin to imagine how things will play out. If you’re watching Black Mirror along with us, join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat @mythoughts_o_e Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

Shy and awkward Yorkie walks into a bar and meets beautiful and confident Kelly. Their relationship grows quickly from there. Is this a simple love story? No. This is Black Mirror, so nothing is ever simple. This episode looks at love, relationships, digital communication, heaven and maybe even hell. What is San Junipero really all about? Lets have a look. If you’re watching Black Mirror along with us, join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat @mythoughts_o_e Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

Charlie Brooker loves an implant, there is no getting away from it. In this instance we have the government programming soldiers not to feel. An episode filled with blind hatred, racism and genocide, Stripe is a frontline soldier who, along with his colleagues, is hunting down and killing ‘roaches’. During one confrontation something happens to Stripe and he begins questioning himself, his fellow soldiers and his country. Do the right thing or follow the mob? If you’re watching Black Mirror along with us, join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat @mythoughts_o_e Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

Well, we made it. We’re at the final episode (for now) of Black Mirror, happy to have taken the journey with a program that asks interesting questions. The reward for making it this far is a roughly 90 minute episode, the longest of the entire series. Playing God, and revenge are considered in ‘Hated in the Nation’, and there is always time for a huge dig at technology. We also reveal our favourite three episodes from the entire series, and hope you will as well. Join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat @mythoughts_o_e Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

Remember back in episode one of the podcast, which was recorded and published in February 2016, we briefly explained that we will be putting on events, sharing stories and making a bit of content. We’ve done most of what we said we’d do, but we haven’t put on any events - yet. Things are going to change, but for the good. In this episode we discuss those changes, which keep us open to pretty much all of our original plans, except things will be done in a slightly different way from now. As promised last episode, we also review Anthony Baxter’s documentary, You’ve Been Trumped Too, because we need to keep an eye on what the Big Orange Man is up to. If ever there was a time to support journalism and newspapers, now is the time. We need a free press. The alternative would be a very bad situation. We hope you get in touch with us on twitter, by email, and in the comments section of the blog. www.playrepeat.net

The time had to come at some point, time to let go of Black Mirror and go back to our other interests. We’re not industry insiders, but we’ve done a bit of journalism, filmmaking, writing, photography, and we love a good story, so we’ve decided to turn our attention to documentaries. A random internet search lead to perhaps the highest profile, contemporary documentary filmmaker, Michael Moore, and his thoughts on making a documentary movie. Here is the link to the article, which you may want to read through before listening to the podcast http://www.indiewire.com/2014/09/michael-moores-13-rules-for-making-documentary-films-22384/ If you have any thoughts on making documentary films, journalism, filming, etc, please head to the website and the comments section. www.playrepeat.net/blog

Well, we made it. We’re at the final episode (for now) of Black Mirror, happy to have taken the journey with a program that asks interesting questions. The reward for making it this far is a roughly 90 minute episode, the longest of the entire series. Playing God, and revenge are considered in ‘Hated in the Nation’, and there is always time for a huge dig at technology. We also reveal our favourite three episodes from the entire series, and hope you will as well. Join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat @mythoughts_o_e Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

Charlie Brooker loves an implant, there is no getting away from it. In this instance we have the government programming soldiers not to feel. An episode filled with blind hatred, racism and genocide, Stripe is a frontline soldier who, along with his colleagues, is hunting down and killing ‘roaches’. During one confrontation something happens to Stripe and he begins questioning himself, his fellow soldiers and his country. Do the right thing or follow the mob? If you’re watching Black Mirror along with us, join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat @mythoughts_o_e Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

Shy and awkward Yorkie walks into a bar and meets beautiful and confident Kelly. Their relationship grows quickly from there. Is this a simple love story? No. This is Black Mirror, so nothing is ever simple. This episode looks at love, relationships, digital communication, heaven and maybe even hell. What is San Junipero really all about? Lets have a look. If you’re watching Black Mirror along with us, join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat @mythoughts_o_e Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

Are these foolish mistakes? In some instances, but others are much more serious. What is a suitable punishment though? How far is too far? Welcome back to Black Mirror, and possibly the most dark and disturbing episode of them all, ‘Shut Up and Dance’. Unhappiness, amongst other things, leads people to make decisions they will soon regret, but in this episode we see a whole different level. Blackmail done to the extreme, and the fear of those in the firing line mean they’re willing to do just about anything to cover their tracks. You can only begin to imagine how things will play out. If you’re watching Black Mirror along with us, join in the post podcast conversation by leaving your thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat @mythoughts_o_e Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net

Have you ever needed money so badly that you were willing to enrol in an experimental video game test, have an implant placed in your head, and then your mind controlled? Yes, it must be the softly softly world of Black Mirror. Young Cooper may have a few demons to deal with, and after heading out to travel the world, he ends up in London. One day he wakes to find his account has no money in it, so to be able to travel home he takes a job with a ground breaking gaming company. If you’re watching along with us, we’d love to read your post podcast thoughts in the comments section on the website. Or even on social media…. @playrepeat @mythoughts_o_e Black Mirror on Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-mirror/episode-guide/series-2 Black Mirror on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70264888 Play Repeat www.playrepeat.net