Black Mirror : Black Mirror's "Happy" Episode?

Black Mirror's "Happy" Episode?

Black Mirror is, in a word, "depressing." I would normally use the word "excellent" because they're just good stories, but let's face facts, they lean pretty hard into pessimism, particularly about technology. When I realized what San Junipero was about I thought when it had 12 or so minutes left to go that Kelly was going to realize that her new girlfriend wasn't real, and that she had to come to terms with the fact that Yorkie was dead. To the surprise of probably no one but me, it did not go in that direction at all, instead focusing on the brief question of whether or not it was right, knowing someone could be spending an eternity in a digital wonderland, without you, to leave them behind, if you might love them enough to take the risk. Upon closer inspection this is almost a non-issue, though thankfully they didn't go where I thought, as that ground was already covered in previous episodes. No, instead, Black Mirror says "**** all that usual noise" and gets into the business of being freaking in love with technology for once. The two girls, in very 80's fashion run away together, young forever, with the comforting thought that through the use of technology heaven is finally "a Place on Earth." Perhaps the only place to find it.

I don't want to ruin it for anyone who was happy, but maybe? Okay, so this is not the "Player one, Player two" theory, for the record, this is simply a reflection on the way the ending was presented, and what Black Mirror usually expects from us. My assumption that Yorkie, "wasn't the real Yorkie" was obviously conditioned by these types of stories over time, but I'm more than willing to accept the premise that on an almost spiritual level, Yorkie is no less the real Yorkie after death than she was while alive. The question becomes how seriously does Black Mirror actually want you to take that possibility? The philosophical ambiguities are inherent, so I find it interesting that it leans so hard in one direction, with a knowing glance back at the other.

At the end of the episode there's a shot of Kelly's grave. A tombstone with names written on it. Later without killing the upbeat music, and even amidst flashes of brightly colored lights, like the town of San Junipero itself, we see an otherwise desolate row of servers, where a couple of knobs are placed into one, with numbers etched into them, just like the names on the headstones. A gentle reminder perhaps that "actually these are just all dead people."

I'm essentially asking: as like a ratio(?) perhaps - what's the likelihood that Black Mirror is being typically pessimistic to uncharacteristically hopeful. Believe it or not, I lean towards optimism on this one.


There's no such thing as the establishment. Everyone knows that!

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Re: Black Mirror's "Happy" Episode?

I've seen about half of the BM episodes. I enjoyed this one but I did find it relatively upbeat. Thought-provoking per usual, but not gut-wrenching as is often the case (and which is also just fine).

Re: Black Mirror's "Happy" Episode?

I found the song "Heaven is a Place on Earth" to be mocking Kelly and Yorkie as opposed to being triumphant anthem. That places me in the pessimistic column.

Re: Black Mirror's "Happy" Episode?

Maybe this'll sound silly if you're not a writer, (because these people aren't real) but it's a little insensitive to "mock" them. They were dying old ladies who made a decision to became dead old ladies. Even if they could have lived awhile longer there's no great sacrifice in giving up their lives, so treating them as fools for it wouldn't accomplish much of anything, other than betray an immature almost nave sense of entitlement, in regards to judging a person's right to decide for themselves what do with a failing life that's theirs to throw away anyway. So if it's as you say, I don't think I would like Charlie Brooker very much.


There's no such thing as the establishment. Everyone knows that!

Re: Black Mirror's "Happy" Episode?

Yeah it's not very nice. The song mocks their so-called existence; it's not living because they're data floating in a server ("In this world we're just beginning / To understand the miracle of living"). And then the song goes on to mock the idea of heaven and that it can be bought for cold hard cash ("Do you know what that's worth? / Heaven is a place on earth").

it's a very bittersweet ending. I want to be happy for them because they have this chance to be together but at the same time, I'm sad for them because they're just fooling themselves.

Re: Black Mirror's "Happy" Episode?


it's not living because they're data floating in a server

I think the episode is saying that in the world the episode presents, it really is them, otherwise, what would be the point? Why would anyone pay money to keep their digital copy happy vs. leaving it to loved ones or charity?

Re: Black Mirror's 'Happy' Episode?

The 2 essences of the 2 REAL lovers were put into the machine at the end. The huge array of just how many people are using this virtual reality is also shown. They were not copies

Re: Black Mirror's 'Happy' Episode?

Wow that's based on nothing


There's no such thing as the establishment. Everyone knows that!

Re: Black Mirror's 'Happy' Episode?

Are you some kind of moron? These are all OPINIONS. Your words.arebased on nothing *beep* LOL

Re: Black Mirror's 'Happy' Episode?

You're the moron, don't come at me like you're correcting me if it's just your opinion, asswipe.


There's no such thing as the establishment. Everyone knows that!

Re: Black Mirror's 'Happy' Episode?

*beep* your opinion is like anyone's else's. You come at me *beep* condescending like a 10 year old. Well, bitch, your opinion is based on *beep* all. Nothing, nil. Now stfu and let the us grown ups talk. I've put your moronic self on block so I can't see your replies. Hahahahaha

Re: Black Mirror's 'Happy' Episode?

What a baby.


There's no such thing as the establishment. Everyone knows that!
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