Black Mirror: Series 2 - Episode 3

This last episode highlighted issues of politics, satire and technology.

The story follows failed comedian Jamie Salter who voices a cartoon blue bear Waldo, whose appearance on a satirical comedy show. In this setting it was interesting to see how Waldo, portrayed as a children's character, was used in quite a grotesque satirical way in order to attack politicians and other figure, while Jamie expressed no interest in politics and was only in it for the comedy. In turn Jamie's struggle with life compared to the success of Waldo helped to create a believable and connectible character.

It was interesting to see how Jamie was constantly pressured into entering the world of politics as Waldo's success spiralled. This success came after a passionate speech that Jamie makes through Waldo about the state of politics and how useless it could be and used just to further a career. This is especially seen with the prospect that Waldo could win the election which would be a really weird situation. Although this doesn't happen, it raises good questions about the influence of technology, especially how it has become a central part of the political campaigning machine.

It was also good how Jamie's relationship with Gwendolyn Harris works well to add a bit of light to the episode and makes it more terrible when during the speech mentioned above on a televised debate show, he attacks the main rival Liam Morgan but also Gwendolyn after she rejected him because she was told by her campaign manager to not associate with him. This led to Jamie refusing to do anymore of Waldo, but under pressure relented and then tried to convince people to not vote for Waldo and left the van in which Waldo was created. It was also a sad ending to see that Jamie had become homeless while Waldo the brand had gone worldwide.

Daniel Rigby gave a great performance as Jamie, really holding the episode, while Chloe Pirrie, Jason Flemying, Tobias Menzies, Christina Chong, James Lance and Michael Shaeffer all gave good performances and really working to make it a strong story.