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Black Mirror 403-404 (Patreon)

Published:
2024-09-10 12:08:11
Edited:
2026-01-08 03:26:47
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

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Comments

Cinebinge

This time its the correct one, promise.

imperial

Love these Black Mirror reactions. You guys have the most interesting commentary by FAR when it comes to futuristic technology that can one day be a reality. You both do a great job at weighing the pros and cons. And this is why I hope GATTACA wins the recent poll 😅

FWPJR.

I hope everyone enjoys this reaction, but I can’t wait until the BCS season 2 reactions start. I still got to catch up on them though, but I’ll be done by the time those reactions start happening again.

ShōNuff3K

Remember, no animals were hurt in the filming of Crocodile.

Kyle Peterson

Hang the dj is one of my favorite episodes

JediLounger

I’ve been looking forward to you guys watching Crocodile since you started. I expect full on abject horror lol.

Artyom

I think the title has something to do with crocodile tears

Joe Baldwin

the musical the kids were doing at the end was Bugsy Malone. It's a very weird musical with kids playing prohibition era gangsters.

Itbewhatitbe

nope, this is from Brooker himself: " Brooker explained that the title came from an analogy he made in an earlier draft of the script. In its original form, the script had involved a woman that had seen her mother die tragically at the age of two, causing her to become anxious and fearful of the rest of the world. He had compared this to a virtual reality trip down a jungle river with random events. Someone might go down this trip without seeing a crocodile and thus see it as a calm trip, but someone else might be attacked by a crocodile early on, and for the rest of the trip, become anxious and fearful that they are experiencing a "crocodile attack simulator", the same situation as this character. While the script significantly changed over the course of production, the title was not changed. " So it's not crocodile tears like a stone cold psychopath would produce in an interrogation. Besides, she's always alone, and crocodile tears is something you do in front of people.

Itbewhatitbe

Regarding the title, this is from Brooker himself: "Brooker explained that the title came from an analogy he made in an earlier draft of the script. In its original form, the script had involved a woman that had seen her mother die tragically at the age of two, causing her to become anxious and fearful of the rest of the world. He had compared this to a virtual reality trip down a jungle river with random events. Someone might go down this trip without seeing a crocodile and thus see it as a calm trip, but someone else might be attacked by a crocodile early on, and for the rest of the trip, become anxious and fearful that they are experiencing a "crocodile attack simulator", the same situation as this character. While the script significantly changed over the course of production, the title was not changed. "

mojo shivers

“Hang the DJ” is one of my favorites from this season along with “Metalhead” and “USS Callister”. It keeps it twist until the end, which most Black Mirror episodes give away far longer before the end.

Mathew Hill

I do think the old style black mirror would have just ended "crocodile" with a gut punch of "Who kills a baby? Someone who doesn't want to leave witnesses", to make you feel very conflicted about the tech.

Stugotz

Poor Simone, this show is going to break her 😂

Tay Schumaker

I forgot how much Crocodile just spirals totally out of control so fast. Such a strange juxtaposition with Hang the DJ

Jeff I.

Yeah, I think it would have been more a lot more effective and in line with Black Mirror's usual grimness to let her get away with it but still end on the same long shot of her clapping along to fit in while crying and trying not to have a breakdown in public (while never being able to tell her husband or anyone else why). It would make me think like, "Wow, she got away with it (for now), but we know she's not some emotionless psychopath and the guilt/PTSD of what she's done will haunt her forever and likely drive her to self-destruct hugely in some way. Probably sooner rather than later." ...we can see she's already going back to drinking alcohol (wine) more as a coping mechanism.

Jeff I.

Don't worry about your thoughts on Crocodile, most fans of the show had the same lukewarm-to-bad opinion about it. Like, a guinea pig? Really!? I also felt the "it's all a simulation" was too blatantly foreshadowed/hinted at in Hang the DJ, which kind of killed the impact of the big reveal/twist at the end. It's like they tried to do something like San Junipero again, which most fans loved, but it's not nearly as well done overall (a comment on this season in general IMO).

Superpotroast

I had totally forgotten Crocodile..If I had to guess, would it be called Crocodile, because Mia is kinda an under the surface killer, like Crocs are?

Kyle Baker

So I'm not saying the tech in episode 3 isn't good, however if you think about it 3 people were killed because of it.

Inkpendude

I feel like we are already at the point of episodes becoming kinda meh as we go on

JakeyShakeyBakeyBoy

George: “You’re not having fun being miserable from watching this show??” Simone: “I can never have a bath again!!” Luna: purr-purr-purr Ah, the extremely wide range of a Black Mirror experience. That said that first episode did turn me well off the show for a good long while at its release. It was directed by John Hillcoat who did “The Proposition” and “The Road” so it was inevitable to be beyond bleak, but he is a great filmmaker in despite of that. He works with Nick Cave a good amount as a fun fact.

Deepan Nathan

Hey guys. Hang the DJ is a line from a song called ‘Panic’ by the Smiths. Was playing at the end there on the episode. Great song! Great band! It does have a sort of rebellious theme to it…….most of Morrissey’s lyrics do 😂

beecroft adams

Digital cookies are always been mistreated in black mirror. In white Christmas there was a cookie slave to a cookie criminal being tortured for thousands of years. People tend to forget that with hang the dj because its just a "dating app". All the suffering falls upon their digital selves. We know from past episodes the cookies have all their memories and feel everything.

Stugotz

Hang the DJ is one of my favorite Black Mirror episodes.

MacGuffinStuff

Haha I was so happy they finally played the song at the end of Hang the DJ, I was like, "It's a Smith's song you guys, it's a Smith's song!" Not even one of my favorite of theirs but a good one. Took me so long to realize where I know the male actor from, Joe Cole, he's John in Peaky Blinders (awesome show btw). His character is so different in that, a super confident gangster, young but still a badass, so different I really didn't recognize him at first. I'm kind of with Simone in that I do like the happier endings, but I still love the show in general because I love anything that has a sort of Twilight Zone vibe, that was one of my favorite shows as a kid, used to live for the Twilight Zone marathons on New Year's Day, although I have yet to check out the newest incarnation that Jordan Peele was involved in, gotta check that out some time.

Stugotz

mmmm...cookies...

Jeffrey Conway

Yeah. I don’t like this show. Some episodes are great but the vast majority of them are nothing but depressing. I so wish that Andor won the poll.

Da Big Appa

Just like the spectrums of enjoyment on the show I find the Cinebitches reactions to watching George and Simone in the same weird spectrum. Some seem to enjoy watching others be uncomfortable or disturbed by something and others hate the idea of it and just want to see them do happy reactions. I am personally in the camp of you want to experience new things but if any piece of art genuinely takes away from either of their continued enjoyment of doing this great channel for us please do not feel the need to continue it just for us. That seems like it's own Black Mirror episode "Reactors"

MasterElodin

I think depressing or dark works have a very important place though. Not every piece of entertainment needs to be happy and fun. Chernobyl for example is almost completely and thoroughly unenjoyable and just uncomfortable to watch and yet it is one of the greatest shows ever made. Sometimes negative emotions and depressing things are necessary to call attention to topics. Also with the current state of movies like Avengers I think it can get quite boring to have everything always so sterile, polished and family friendly / funny. Gets so bland.

Jpsynergy

I like that it exists but don't really like it.

cincassette

George, if you like the older (British rather than Americanised) Black Mirror, I think you'd enjoy "Inside No. 9". It's another anthology show, where every episode takes place in a different house/apartment/place.. with the number 9 as its address or designation. It generally gets a lot darker than Black Mirror, albeit in a British black-comedy kind of way. I think it would be a great option for the channel, and i think Simone would probably like it too as it is a dark comedy rather than a straight up depressing drama.

Jay

I'm surprised Simone didn't know them. Shame Morrissey is a total asshole now, but The Smiths are/were so fucking good.

Ryan Alexander

The woman in Crocodile wasn't a psychopath. If she was she wouldn't have felt any remorse or had any hesitation about killing anyone. Also killing the child may seem like overkill, but if she hadn't she wouldn't have been caught. If she never went in the kids room the Guinea pig wouldn't have seen her and there would be no witness

Hunterrim

I would say I like most of the episodes overall, but I dislike every episode after this season.

J.R.

I hope Severance replaces this as the next in-between seasons of a show show (although there's only one season of it so far and it's like 10 episodes so not sure how that'd work), has all the intrigue of a black mirror premise but comes with a good dose of levity, think you'd both really like it

LengyelFlo

Guys, don't force yourselves watching this if you don't really like it (as Simone admits it at the end). As she says about the episode, it would be horrible to be stuck together with someone with whom you don't get along. Don't suffer willingly for any reason (like, votes of members, or anything like this). Be bold to sometimes make the choice of 'this is not for us'.

mojo shivers

Black Mirror still gets bleak in later episodes. But I think it started balancing more upbeat or at least even-keeled episodes into the mix when Netflix took over.

OddThomas (edited)

Comment edits

2026-09-09 01:00 The musical referenced in Crocodile was Bugsy Malone; iconic British musical about gangsters - but it's all played by kids! Early Jodie Foster flick well worth seeking out.
2024-09-10 18:35

Simone's Coconut Squire

I would love to see you guys watch Love Death + Robots. It's kind of bleak like this but a little easier to digest because it's animated, and it's like 15 minute episodes so you could do the first season in like 2-3 videos and the 2nd and 3rd season in like 1-2 vids each.

brittany

i know black mirror is generally very bleak but honestly i think it becomes A LOT less bleak (speaking of season 5, idk about season 6)? only 1 out of 3 episodes is sad/messed up, but another one is quite comical/weird? i would love to see you continue but ofc not at the cost of your mental health <3

PIG

I’m gonna have to say that that’s still psycho, Ryan. If I killed a bunch of people then send me to jail, I’m not killing a baby to save my own ass. There’s just no way.

OddThomas (edited)

Comment edits

2026-09-09 01:00 I feel Black Museum is a good place to stop, especially if you're not really enjoying Black Mirror (which is kind of the point of Black Mirror). Twin Peaks next?
2024-09-10 19:57

Amar

Black Mirror lost it's spark after season 4 anyway. Think it's time to watch some "Good place" to counter this series. Funny, light hearted and just a good time. I never watched past season 1 of Better call Saul so excited to watch it moving forward with you two.

cincassette

if you wan't a feel-good change of pace, more akin to Ted Lasso, "The Good Place" is an excellent shorter show. "Russian Doll" is another great short show starring Natasha Lyonne.

Tay Schumaker

I feel like Charlie Brooker probably knows what Black Mirror is more than anyone else

Amar

They are watching Star Trek on Wednesdays which is a great and classic show, lets not turn their amazing Patreon channel into the space nerd channel please.

droodly

Was curious if Charlie Brooker ever addressed the netflix shift, and found this. “One of the criticisms we sometimes get is, ‘I prefer the show when it was British and everyone in it was miserable and everything smelled a little bit of shit and all the stories were horrible,’” Brooker said. “And then it’s gone to Netflix and suddenly everything’s sunny and happy and everyone has wonderful teeth, and it’s full of Hollywood stars and it’s lost that edge.” Brooker said he understands those complaints, but he said the show’s changing tone was never a mandate from Netflix and rather driven from his own interests. “Arguably the happiest [episode] I’ve ever written was ‘San Junipero’ and I just did that off my own back,” he said. “I was aware we’re going on a global platform now, so we’ve got to make these stories a bit more international. And I wanted to mix it up a bit, as in not just keep doing bleak-a-thons.” https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/black-mirror-creator-defends-netflix-move-slams-ai-written-episode-1235761972/

Mike Miner

Love this series, but once you start to say "Hey this Black Mirror episode reminds me of that other Black Mirror episode" it's time to wrap it up, Charlie.

mky

Don't forget Chachi (Scott Baio)! ;)

mky

Yes! "The Good Place" should be required viewing. Okay, not "required", but highly encouraged.

Kyle Fleming

I feel that if the show just had bleak/sad ending over and over, I’d subconsciously decide not to get emotionally attached to the characters… because why would I want to get attached if they always have a miserable ending. It’s also not like they’ve done away with the unhappy endings that made Black Mirror different from other shows, it’s still there, just with a few more happy endings to keep the formula from going stale. I actually think this was a good idea… when executed properly of course, cause the happy ending for the opening episode of S4 was very forced and took away from the episode.

James MacDonald

George, are you a fan of Karl Pilkington? I only ask because there's an episode coming up that might remind you of some of his ideas.

mky

🎵 Panic on the streets of London... 🎶

Michael L.

I've always found the "crocodile" epithet pretty poignant: crocodiles hunt submerged, with only their eyes above water, and this story shows what kind of darkness can hide just below the surface of a seemingly normal, well-to-do person. I think it's a rather wonderfully bleak episode, and I also agree the ending lets it down a bit. I still rather like "Smithereens" and "Loch Henry", but yeah, the apex of the show is behind. There's still a lot of strong material, but there's a lack of a lot of the brilliance of the earlier show.

Ricardo Alanis

I disagree. Even the short S5 between Striking Vipers and especially Smithereens are highlights. And the latest season has had excellent episodes.

JBK405

I very much enjoy the end of "Hang the DJ" precisely because we don't KNOW all of the details about how the dating app itself works in the 'real world'. We see the two of them smile, they start to walk towards each other, and then it ends. We HOPE that they get together, but maybe they don't. Maybe the real world will intervene in things beyond their control and it will end horribly. But that's the risk of any relationship in any circumstance. Two people who might look at first glance like they're perfect for each other might wind up being miserable together. Or maybe they really are soul mates and everything will be Happily Ever After. This optimistic look but without definite details I think was the perfect way to end this story.

JBK405

Oh, and as a counterpoint to the bleakness, I'll recommend "The Good Place" again. I mentioned it several recommendations back, but it is hands-down one of the best shows I have ever seen. It is INCREDIBLY intelligent but also heartwarming and Grade-A hilarious. It's four seasons, but only 13 episodes each season, half-hour for each episode. I think you two would both love it on its own merits, and I am dying to see your reactions.

Mitchell Bowker

The way I see it is - the first 2 series of Black Mirror were 3 episodes each, series 3 and 4 are 6 episodes each, but still with at least 3 dark, bleak, depressing Black Mirror episodes. So, the more beautiful and optimistic episodes are just bonus! And it can't be good for Charlie Brooker's mental health writing so much dark material without needing to lighten the mood a bit.

Shane Darcy

Agreed. Benefits the quality of the reaction as well — it’s not as fun to watch when they’re clearly not enjoying it

Dragonhunter

Yeah, hearing Simone dreading it is kinda sad. Like George said she gave it a more then fair shot with 4 seasons now and as much as I enjoyed it (watched season 3 and 4 for the first time myself with them) it's not worth it if one of them has to suffer through it.

Anthony Villena

It feels like 1/3 of Black Mirror's stories have to rely on the "AI people, but guess what, they're sentient in this world" trope to get an emotional impact, but these recent episodes haven't introduced anything new about it.

GAB

Perhaps Charlie Brooker wrote the Sky series "A Touch of Cloth" to compensate for the trauma of writing "Black Mirror". It's basically a British version of "Police Squad!" He also writes a lot of Philomena Cunk's material, of course.

DinChild

If you don't want to continue with Black Mirror, and I'd understand, I HIGHLY recommend jumping into SEVERANCE. It's a Black Mirror concept, with solid acting and a compelling story. Also Barry!

Jesse Coombs

I love both shows, and I'm excited for you that you get to watch Better Call Saul for the first time. The one thing that both shows have in common is a lot of heart.

Jesse Coombs

I would love it if they watched Twin Peaks, but that's quite a commitment. There's two series and the movie. Honestly, Twin Peaks is such a singular world and fandom, that I think that it would be best watched after they finished up with their Star Trek stuff. It would fit into that kind of slot nicely, I think.

Jesse Coombs

I think if Andor season 2 turns out even close as good as season 1 was, I'm sure we'll see more people reacting to it.

SmallWoodenDuck

I'm not sure I've ever been so out of step with a reaction but I guess that's just how it rolls. Plenty of stuff out there. BM is one of my all timers but best to move on if it's not for you guys.

Scott Richards

A really good analysis of Crocodile!!

BigGuy209 (edited)

Comment edits

2026-09-09 01:00 I have to agree with some of the people in the comments saying that you guys should just move on from this series. if you’re not enjoying it. you guys should just move on after the season. it also does go downhill after this season. maybe you guys can do a poll to see how the community feels about finishing the series. Just a thought.
2024-09-13 10:17

Opti_Frog

Severance is amazing lo-fi sci-fi!

Farbod

I love "Hang the DJ". Its so weird to see your generations' reaction to Black Mirror. Its so different than my own.

Jesse Coombs

Related to "Hang the DJ", I would love it if you guys reacted to "The Lobster". I won't spoil anything about it, but it stars Colin Farrell and is from the director of "The Favourite" and "Poor Things". (Those are both really good too.)

REDR58

As a former Catholic, it always amuses me when I see people in TV shows or movies wearing rosaries around the neck like the guy was wearing during the beginning of “Crocodile.” Rosary beads are not meant to be worn as necklaces. Edit: Never buy people pets as gifts unless it’s asked for.

REDR58
>>149033033

Yes, the title of the musical was mentioned earlier in the episode.

Katzchen1984

" Her job has a beer budget " was such a great line... lol I was thinking " who is buying all those beers for her investigation! ? "

Katzchen1984

I feel like the only bad season is #5 and it is 3 episodes.

MeetMountain

This lets me know that George is actually a great juror. Haha “is he responsible?” Honestly… imo. No. It sucked what happened but he really was just trying to get him laid, not actively trying to get him murdered.