Black Mirror (2013),
Season 2, Episode 02: "The Waldo Moment"
Release Date: Feb 25, 2013
Director: Bryn Higgins, Writer: Charlie Brooker
2.5/5
***SPOILERS***
In the final installment for season 2 of Black Mirror "The Waldo Moment" the writers return to the social issues around politics, the media and the idiocy of the masses. The episode focuses on the character of Jamie Salter (played by Daniel Rigby, Flyboys, 2006, Spooks, 2008, Lilies, 2007) who is a depressed comedian who voices and performs the motion capture for the cartoon character "Waldo" on a television talk show.
Waldo, "The Waldo Moment" (Feb 25, 2013)
Unfortunately this episodes focus is no where near as strong as the other episodes and it's dealing with the subjectmatter of politics and the media are far inferior to the strength of the opening episode of season one "The National Anthem". Instead "The Waldo Moment" attempts to depict the lack of interest in politics in the wider community, and while they are disenchanted by the insincerity and ineffectualness of politicians this lack of faith in the "system" of politics is trumped by the idiocy that the masses enjoy, and thus they would rather watch lude jokes made by a cartoon. The problem with the writing in this episode is the lack of focus, as it neither really deals with either issue of the problems of the lack of faith in politics nor the way the masses have become consumers of stupid media and thus become debased and uninterested in serious social issues.
While Daniel Rigby's performance as Jamie is convincing and sympathetic, it is especially unclear as to why he is depressed at the beginning of the episode. The attempt seems to have been to make Jamie as sort of unwilling participant, drawn unwillingly into participation of this disillusioned ridiculous ruse that is politics as a mere media stunt. Perhaps the strongest point of the episode is where Jamie in fact realises that he has this opportunity to make a stand, and make a point and say what he wants to the politicians, without consequences, as he will not win the election, but he lacks both the knowledge nor the conviction to any sort of cause.
This episode lacks the skillful subtly of other episodes, nor the emotional punch. Instead this episode feels somewhat flat. It also feels somewhat expositional and preachy. For example Gwendolyn Harris (Chloe Pirre) rages at Jamie's bombardment of the panel of politicians and chastises him for not having any cause or convictions and making a mockery of her attempt to make a difference, despite the fact that she is using the campaign as a career stepping stone, despite her claims of altruistic motivations.
Furthermore Jamie (Rigby) attempting to destroy "Waldo" and shouting at the crowd that he's not "real" are somewhat absurd and lack impact and the notions of "reality" posed by our further integration with technology and social media are not explored in this episode. Thus, this episode seems much more politically motivated and less social elements.
Perhaps the difference between "The Waldo Moment" and "The National Anthem" is that "The National Anthem" showed both how politicians have lost their power in dwarfing power of social media that is faceless and international and uncontrollable. The episode showed the amazing power of the globalised media through the power of technology through the internet, while also showing the more disgusting voyeurism of the masses as they helplessly watch the mistreatment of others and idiotic and gratuitous media on the internet. The episode made strong points about the power of information and disinformation and the sort of slavery of masses to the idiotic and gratuitous media, as well as the affect on the work of politicians. Coming away from watching "The National Anthem" the audience was left disquieted with a sense of helplessness in the face of the compulsion to consume social media, while still unable to look away at the same time. Also it posed important questions about the future of politics and democracy in the face of globalisation and what are the potential effects of social media. Poses interesting questions about the future and the potential for a new brand of terrorism, media terrorism which is a more technological form of older media manipulations of the masses such as propaganda films etc. The difference I suppose, is that the internet demonstrates this on a grand scale.
Unfortunately Waldo didn't pose nearly as strong questions and comments, ending the second series on a low note. Perhaps, the show has run it's course and lacks new ideas? The most interesting element in this episode was Jamie's character and his mental and emotional demise. His inexplicable depression at the beginning of the episode becomes more relevant as he is drawn into this farce of Waldo, hating himself and disgusted with his sense of loss of identity. That he doesn't even own the character and that so many people are blinding following an idiotic raving cartoon and his own hand in the creation of this Waldo effect. Jamie's mental breakdown at the end of the episode is made more poignant as it depicts as the credits roll, that some time in the near future Waldo has indeed gone global. As advised by an American earlier in the episode detailing how they should capture the potential of the Waldo effect, it appears that in fact Waldo has spread across the world. Jamie's deterioration into living on the streets and mental breakdown, are somewhat poignant here and the audience shares his frustration that a meaningless cartoon character, a mere "idea" that represents nothing has spread with such conviction. As well as Jamie's guilt about his involvement in the creation of "Waldo". I guess this episode depicts as sort of social media and media fascism over the individual.
This point is the most disturbing of the episode, but I feel it comes far too late and could have been better explored. For, I believe this "Waldo effect" is all too realisable in the near future, as the internet can be used as a tool and fuel for political propaganda, and one day perhaps politicians will be replaced by cartoon characters and democratic votes will instead be "Likes" on Facebook or tweets on "Twitter". Overall "The Waldo Moment" lacked oomph and recycled some older ideas explored better in earlier episodes and while it posed some interesting concepts it didn't really explore those.
The question remains open about where Black Mirror will go if it returns for a third season, while I feel it was disappointing compared to the first season, it still is a great show, with a lot of interesting intellectual ideas about contemporary social issues and look forward to what future episodes will discuss. It is great to find a tv show that is so intellectually stimulating, with great production value, performances as well as being excellent entertainment.
References
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2386296/
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