Black Mirror’s Season 7 Missed Opportunity

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Black Mirror's Season 7 Missed Opportunity

Key Takeaways

  • Black Mirror Season 7 missed a huge opportunity by not offering an interactive experience akin to Bandersnatch.
  • Bandersnatch’s uniqueness as an interactive movie was what made it perfectly Black Mirror and a trendsetter.
  • Black Mirror could take advantage of Netflix’s interactivity and rejuvenate the series by offering similar experiences.

As a longtime fan of Black Mirror, it’s disheartening to see the series missing out on a golden opportunity to innovate and push boundaries like they did with Bandersnatch. I remember the excitement when that interactive episode dropped; it was a breath of fresh air, a perfect blend of storytelling and interactivity that felt uniquely Black Mirror.

As a dedicated gamer, I can hardly contain my excitement as I eagerly await the return of “Black Mirror” for Season 7! Netflix has already given us a tantalizing peek into what we can expect from the upcoming installment, and it seems there might be a sequel to one of the series’ all-time favorites. Some well-known faces are set to grace our screens, much like they have in the past, but here’s where things get interesting – there’s a chance they could revisit one of their most successful techniques. Yet, at this moment, it appears to be a standalone episode, which I believe is a real shame, as it presents a golden opportunity missed.

Black Mirror, since its inception, has been one of the most intriguing streaming shows due to its unique storytelling style. It’s not just that the tales are fresh but each one stands independently, with occasional references to other episodes serving as Easter eggs. Each episode could be appreciated individually, making the series renowned for its originality. This uniqueness was established even before it started relying on well-known faces to attract viewers. However, when the team unveiled Bandersnatch prior to Season 5, they took a groundbreaking approach that still adhered to the essence of Black Mirror. It would be a significant missed opportunity if they failed to recreate a similar experience with Season 7.

Black Mirror Season 7 Missed Opportunity

Black Mirror's Season 7 Missed Opportunity

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch wasn’t just revolutionary due to its captivating narrative; it was groundbreaking because it transcended the boundaries of a traditional story. It was an interactive movie that functioned as an immersive Full Motion Video (FMV) game. The fact that this interactive game revolved around creating an interactive game made Bandersnatch a fitting addition to the Black Mirror series, showcasing its exploration of technology’s impact on society and our lives.

The narrative style of this show, Bandersnatch, was unique, deviating from anything similar on Netflix. It was a choose-your-own-adventure tale, offering multiple paths for viewers to explore, culminating in a hidden ending. Despite its grim undertones, characteristic of Black Mirror, it was intriguing and enjoyable to navigate through the story and witness where it led.

That didn’t make it any less fun to play around with and see where the story took users.

It was the kind of thing that could have set a trend, and yet for some reason never caught on. And it didn’t even catch on among those in charge of the Black Mirror series. It seems that despite the original seasons not benefitting from well-known, high-cost actors, the show has gone in that direction for almost every episode now. It seems to have forgotten to some degree that it was the storytelling and not the storytellers that made it what it was. And offering something like Bandersnatch up in 2025 when it returns to Season 7 could be a nice kind of way to show the program still wants to be special.

Black Mirror Should Take Advantage Of Netflix’s Interactivity

Black Mirror's Season 7 Missed Opportunity

The primary reason, apart from simply providing content exclusive to viewers, is likely due to where shows like Black Mirror are viewed. It’s highly unlikely that Bandersnatch would have come into existence on any other platform besides Netflix. Netflix has made significant strides in blending movies, TV series, and video games. They’ve gone the extra mile to ensure that subscribers can only play games exclusive to Netflix. If Black Mirror chooses to do so, it could emulate this trend.

The show doesn’t necessarily have to bring back this unique feature annually, or even biannually, but after five long years since the introduction of the groundbreaking Bandersnatch format in 2019, there appears to be a sense of nostalgia and anticipation for its return. A five-year gap may serve as an indication that technology has advanced enough, providing potential opportunities for further enhancement and development from the initial release.

It appears that Black Mirror, once known for its thought-provoking and futuristic storylines, seems less captivating nowadays. This could be due to the series shifting from science fiction to reflecting current technological advancements more closely. The shows no longer seem as far-fetched or unbelievable as some of today’s technology makes aspects of the stories seem plausible, and the absurdity once associated with it has become less surprising.

Presenting an interactive experience akin to “Bandersnatch” could potentially revitalize the series, as audiences seek out the immersive choose-your-own adventure game format and are interested in exploring the additional content offered for the season. Yet, it appears that “Black Mirror” has opted to consider this a unique event rather than a recurring theme, suggesting they have no immediate plans to revisit the concept introduced by “Bandersnatch“.

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2024-10-03 23:03