This concept sings a similar tune in my head to previous Channel 4 mini-series, Black Mirror; which might I say, I adored. The modern context to a quite terribly chilling theme of technology being the enemy that befriends then overthrows us in such an unsettling way is thrilling. It taps right into our everyday lives, it doesn't preach and so we feel right there with the characters: bewildered and joyous of the triumphs of technology, and yet something feels ever so off, like a cheery song that's slightly flat or out of tune.
The first episode introduces us first to a large suburban family that may have some bubbles of tension but nothing soap-opera like. It's subtle, poses some questions but nothing that distracts from the various objects and ideas that depict a parallel timeline but clearly in a more advanced version of our world. This is a world the audience want to dive into, rather than the family at first: they offer to be our eyes for this sci-fi environment. That's not to say the family aren't interesting, but it's not their time until the next episode.
Our introduction to the main attraction is shared with this family. Their purchase of a 'synth' is where we begin to understand more about the clearest difference between our lives: androids that are like-for-like copies of humans. The acting is unlike anything I've seen before. Something seems more authentic about TV compared to cinema as it's not the first time I've seen actors depict some sort of android or robot. But here, it's not a robotic parody, but much rather what we'd expect perfection in humans to be (albeit with no personality). This is what makes the whole show so chilling without there being any sort of terror instigated.
The synth splits the family and brings some interesting and very relevant themes to the table. The mother feels replaced in her family; daughter feels replaced in society. The episode doesn't give us much from the others personal point of view yet so I'm looking forward to seeing that developed in further episodes.
There are other threads to the story involving different characters which link to the family's synth which I'll discuss in episode 2's review as more develops for this storyline in the latter episode.
Review by Daisy Victoria EdwardsBlockedParent2015-11-21T14:26:46Z
This concept sings a similar tune in my head to previous Channel 4 mini-series, Black Mirror; which might I say, I adored. The modern context to a quite terribly chilling theme of technology being the enemy that befriends then overthrows us in such an unsettling way is thrilling. It taps right into our everyday lives, it doesn't preach and so we feel right there with the characters: bewildered and joyous of the triumphs of technology, and yet something feels ever so off, like a cheery song that's slightly flat or out of tune.
The first episode introduces us first to a large suburban family that may have some bubbles of tension but nothing soap-opera like. It's subtle, poses some questions but nothing that distracts from the various objects and ideas that depict a parallel timeline but clearly in a more advanced version of our world. This is a world the audience want to dive into, rather than the family at first: they offer to be our eyes for this sci-fi environment. That's not to say the family aren't interesting, but it's not their time until the next episode.
Our introduction to the main attraction is shared with this family. Their purchase of a 'synth' is where we begin to understand more about the clearest difference between our lives: androids that are like-for-like copies of humans. The acting is unlike anything I've seen before. Something seems more authentic about TV compared to cinema as it's not the first time I've seen actors depict some sort of android or robot. But here, it's not a robotic parody, but much rather what we'd expect perfection in humans to be (albeit with no personality). This is what makes the whole show so chilling without there being any sort of terror instigated.
The synth splits the family and brings some interesting and very relevant themes to the table. The mother feels replaced in her family; daughter feels replaced in society. The episode doesn't give us much from the others personal point of view yet so I'm looking forward to seeing that developed in further episodes.
There are other threads to the story involving different characters which link to the family's synth which I'll discuss in episode 2's review as more develops for this storyline in the latter episode.