I tried watching Mad Men before entering the world of marketing, and I could not get into it. I'm finally giving it a second chance. Off the bat, it hits so many realities of the job. I anticipate this being my favorite parts and Don Draper's bullshit continuing to be my least favorite.
Black Mirror has certainly had its ups and downs -- but every season has had an absolute banger and winner of an episode. "Joan is Awful" one hundred percent falls into that category.
We need the release to subconsciously remind us it's not real. Again this is where "Joan is Awful" succeeds. Not to say this episode doesn't consider the human element. It does. But the human piece is secondary to the tech, which is a bit rare in the series.
We know we're watching fiction and we can live in the fear because it's a fear that's (usually but not always) left on the screen. When horror becomes this close to reality, the dread can feel oppressive. Moments of levity become necessary.
It saw the writing on the wall and explored it masterfully. Interestingly, it's also why the episode is so damn funny. Black Mirror tends to be grim. To address the horrors of technology is to be a horror series. But horror works for many because we know it isn't real.
It plays with fears and themes not just around technology but around corporations and capitalism that are very much happening right now. It's timely, pertinent, and all too real. This episode premiered before the recent Strikes, which were partially about the usage of AI likenesses in the future.
This tech always feels two steps away from reality, always just out of reach. Close as we are to some of the advances seen in those episodes, we're still far away - even though those episodes are a decade old. Except "Joan is Awful" plays with technology that feels one step away or less.
Black Mirror has always found success in tackling the human condition while using technology as a backdrop. Episodes like "The Entire History of You," "San Junipero," and "I'll Be Right Back" are considered the best because they use non-existent tech to show who we are as people.
"Joan is Awful" already rises to the ranks of one of Black Mirror's best by having Salma Hayek say (among many other hilarious lines) "paragraph eight can suck my dick," but it also does something very different from other episodes and does it fantastically well. Allow me to explain...
Taco Tuesday on Wednesday! This is my fourth recipe by munchinwithmaddie_ and she does not miss. Crispy Beef Tacos, absolutely bangers!!
It's giving... pumpkin? I normally wear light jeans with this sweater but thought the black was more wintery. Does it work? Also, I like what my hair is doing today. Gus is also rocking it.
I don't normally wear this color but really liked how this sweater looked on me. My whole ensemble is giving me good feels today.
Legit got concerned until I saw your review for #4. Whew. Friendship safe and secured.
Best season of the #Survivor New Era. Don't @ me. #Survivor47
I'm not a fan of the final four fire challenge but.... HOLY HELL. That was incredible and intense. Loved it. #Survivor #Survivor47
He's giving... thanks.
The success of #Wicked can mean only one thing. Universal Pictures needs to re-release Cats into theaters. We promise we'll go this time. We obviously just weren't ready before.
Post a ship that's neither Star Wars or Star Trek.
Am I doing this right? #supernatural #destiel
art teacher: Is that a bird or a plane?
young clark kent: *crumples self portrait*
my undersung delight of the night was caroline saying she wanted to "collaborate" on a vote. her mba accent pops tickle me so much <3 she's going to circle back on the plan to vote off genevieve next week + echo what rachel said then put some slides together to spearhead a kyle boot
Everyone talking about Andy biting a ball, Sol is like "Hold my shirt," showing up in JUST A VEST 🔥 #Survivor #Survivor47
Not Jeff trying to defend the Shot in the Dark as something interesting and cool 😂 #Survivor
"If he's there, I'm voting for him" is a brilliant thing to say, especially if it's not true. #Survivor
LMAO What a challenge. Someone was like, "What if Sisyphus was a worm?" #Survivor
Every episode I am reminded that Survivor is easily in contention for one of the top TV themes of all time #Survivor
Reminded Sol went home and immediately upset #Survivor
Boooo!
Where my Dark City fans at? That movie rocks and I will take no slander.
Love that he was still standing in Sol-idarity with Teeny.
