Black Mirror 5: Striking Vipers Review - Charlie Brooker’s Take on Technology and Sexuality Deserves Attention

Striking Vipers is the first episode from Black Mirror season 5. The episode is driven by the characters played by Anthony Mackie and Yahya Abdul-Mateen, two friends who end up exploring their sexuality through a video game. This won't the first time Black Mirror would centre an episode on sexual orientation. We have San Junipero as a great example of how the rather stigmatised topic could be normalised. Black Mirror: Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too Review - It Is Not Terrifying Anymore But Miley Cyrus Plays The Best Of Both Worlds!

Danny Parker (Anthony) is happily married to his wife Theo (Nicole Beharie). After his birthday party, he reconnects with his longtime friend, Karl (Yahya). The two friends play a super-upgraded VR version of their favourite one on one combat game, Striking Vipers. The enhanced technology lets them feel what their characters are feeling while their bodies lie semi-unconscious in the real world. Also, major spoilers from the episode lie ahead, so be warned. [SPOILER ALERT].

Danny's avatar is a shirtless ninja while Karl's VR avatar is a girl with smoking hot looks and killer moves. Right after their first bout, Danny and Karl end up kissing in the game. Danny is initially apprehensive of this new development in his friendship with Karl, but gives in to the temptation soon enough and they begin having virtual sex whenever possible. Black Mirror: Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too Review - It Is Not Terrifying Anymore But Miley Cyrus Plays The Best Of Both Worlds!

Funny thing, the two of them try to kiss in real life and absolutely feel nothing. That is a whole new avenue on the spectrum of sexuality that the episode presents to us. The two men get obsessed with technology. They get obsessed with what the tech lets them do. What it lets them experience. Meanwhile, their life in the real world begins to tumble.

Usually, the ill-effects or over-dependancy of technology is very clear, evident and even a little on the nose in Black Mirror. But in Striking Vipers, their sexuality seems to be more of a threat than the technology. This episode seems to be more of a commentary on sexuality than a dependency on technology. This is the only thing working against it.

It almost feels like the writer used sexuality as a device to sensationalise the plot more. The two characters could very easily have been a man and a woman cheating in the virtual world as a hetero couple and this episode would have had the same effect. This episode could have been about two men only enjoying playing the game a little too much, instead of engaging in sex, and yet the point of the episode would have driven home.

But, well, Charlie Brooker chose to tell the story through the prism of sexuality and we can't d do much about it but accept it. Striking Vipers is not dark or edgy like the brand that is Black Mirror. But this episode feels melancholic. It unravels slowly and maintains the pace until the end. It doesn't have a big climax either but a sombre end. All three actors have played their part to sheer perfection. What a brilliant, brilliant cast.

The most striking thing about the episode is the visuals when it is on game mode. Breathtaking!

Yay

- The Visuals

- The acting

Nay

- The central theme

- Lack of a big climax

Final Thoughts

While Striking Vipers might not be the best offering by Black Mirror, it is not your run of the mill story either. It makes good points about sexuality and masculinity being fluid, but doesn't extend the same attention to the technology part of it. Still very watchable. And definitely recommended.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 12, 2019 03:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).