The Reel Rejects - BLACK MIRROR Season 7 "Plaything" Episode 4 Breakdown & Review | Netflix

Starting point is 00:00:00 This week's video is sponsored by Acorns, the money app that makes it simple and cheap to make small yet significant investments. Dude, I'm proud of you guys. I'm bloated. Let's go. I want us to give our thoughts, but then I also want to look shit up. What do you want to look up? I want to look up one of those like ending, explain things to see if there's like something missed. You didn't get that they've merged? I do. I want to.

Starting point is 00:00:32 I think you fully got it. Please allow me a sorry. Is that? It's clearly, this episode is, thank you, Preper for writing this down. You guys have been killing on these Black Mirror edits, by the way. Quick turnaround, baby. The, I want to look it up because clearly this is some, like, what they're doing with Black Mirror is some type of, like, central nexus point in this episode of how it's,

Starting point is 00:00:58 It's connecting to other episodes of Black Mirror. There's like this one timeline of stuff. I'm not saying every episode of Black Mirror is connected, but there's this one pocket of the Black Mirror world where everything is connected. The technology gaming part of it, where I understand you're saying with USS Callister, with what we saw earlier in episode one with the Rashida Jones,

Starting point is 00:01:17 like bringing everything online into network. Yeah, and I thought that technology in Callister and the Juniper one, I think those... The Juniper one. I think... Not Juniper. We're calling it the wrong thing. Issa Ray one or do you mean the Juniper one from season earlier? Yeah, I think that one would McHenzy David.

Starting point is 00:01:33 I think that one is is connected to it as well. And the and the Issa Rae one? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And so I want to see if someone has been able to put together some theory for how like this would link us to it's like these ending events don't feel that's anthological as they are. I think it somehow this is a before I think this is a, I think this is a like in a timeline that is before this the USS Callister episode because

Starting point is 00:02:03 USS Callister episode has to come later than this well the first part of this is in the 90s you're talking about when he's this dude the younger Capaldi junior no I'm talking about the actual ending of what happened at the very end and then what is the timeline between what happens at the very end to when we get to Callister why would that have to come before Callister you think everybody dropped and merged before Callister I don't think the people of callister are merged well i feel like something must have happened in between then because because they saw the star fleet in the background and so that would make this happen after

Starting point is 00:02:39 calister maybe but callister i'm pretty sure took place in a not too distant future i don't think it was 90s i think this was a 90s what they had in the background wait a minute let me check one thing i want to see that poster again because it was the poster did the poster have jesse plemmons on it um a wrong episode uh did the poster have jesse plemmons on it because if that's the case then it is it is some type of like weird multiverse thing or some shit not multi ages after how was that possible because no like the poster was starfleet not callister okay so right starfleet was the show callister's the game that was inspired by starfleet right but this couldn't have happened before this

Starting point is 00:03:28 Couldn't be in the same universe as what happened in that episode. Because think about all of those people who go to work, the Kristen Miliatis of the world, right? They're not merged with these little... Well, that merge might have stopped at some point, right? Maybe. I just want to see the poster. I feel like that could give us some type of answer.

Starting point is 00:03:47 I think you're super duper, duper in the weeds deep. Why wouldn't I be? Okay, Striking Vipers is the Anthony Mackey episode. Yeah, I know. And Space Fleet is the show that Jesse Plymins based his game off of, right? Yep. So what? It's just an Easter egg?

Starting point is 00:04:11 It's not actually connected? I'm not saying that all the technology isn't in the origination. You don't think that timelines are connected, though? Well, I definitely don't think this takes place before that. No, that doesn't make any sense. Okay, because what a Bander Snatch established if there were other timelines, right? That's what Bandersnatch established? That they're bejillion.

Starting point is 00:04:29 Okay. So this is probably just another timeline. Or if it is the same timeline, this is after. So Black Mirror exists in a multiverse, most likely. For sure. Yeah. For sure. So like they were saying that to kind of connect stuff together, but this must.

Starting point is 00:04:45 So because this 90s stuff, because that's like Sega Genesis striking vipers too. So that would be very 90s. whereas Anthony Mackey's game is not a Sega game. It's like a modern day console. I think that this show is so cool because you and I are having completely different experiences right now about what we cared about about the episode. I want to connect the dots.

Starting point is 00:05:10 Yeah, I'm like caring about what this means for humanity and like talking about the love of conflict and would we actually be better off if we didn't have those emotions. Like is Peter Capaldi's character actually more? evolved than the angry cop who's trying to do his job to find justice for this man who was murdered and bring it to his family no i don't agree with that although you don't agree with what i don't agree with that i asked a question you couldn't agree or disagree um well i don't agree with what what capaldi did right i'm saying like the the what like the question you're asking

Starting point is 00:05:50 i was saying it is that even more evolved are you saying you don't think it's more evolved No, I think that's a step back. Step back. I agree with you. I agree. Having human emotions and letting things affect you is to me being evolved. And I'm not saying that the cop handled it well. He clearly has a lot of anger issues and did not handle it well.

Starting point is 00:06:11 But I don't believe that I do believe in finding ways to communicate together and live together and exactly what they're talking about with Darwin. But doing that by force and not giving people choice. and taking away their free will, which we know is what Bander Snatch was all about, by forcing them to sync up with these people, with these, what were they called, the minions? Throngs. These throngs. That's wrong. Wrong, wrong.

Starting point is 00:06:41 Those are the things that, like, I feel touched by after this and care about. And also, it's not just an allegory for addiction. Obviously, we're dealing with addiction. And you thinking that you are the smartest person in the room when you're the one who's on a different playing field than everybody else, those that's immediately where my mind went and and so that's cool that your mind immediately went to like how does this fit into the whole world and mine is like focused on this there's just it gives us a lot to do and discuss and think about yeah and in a reasonable reasonable efficient time we got to do it as well okay I think we start with yours some more explore that more

Starting point is 00:07:17 personally because you're right I'm not going to find an answer at all to what I'm looking We could look it up, and I don't know that you won't find it. I think that I hear where you're going with it. Are you okay right now? Yeah, no, I'm a little, I'm tired. But I'm engaged. I can be both at the same time. That's true.

Starting point is 00:07:36 As humans, we can be multiple things at once. We just saw that. I thought this was a really compelling, I thought this was a really compelling, sinister episode. I thought it was great. I cared for the throngs. even though I'm a you really cared for the throngs I'm a vegetarian and that is you and it plays no one knew it plays on the vegetarian side of me at an extent when he's especially when he's talking about like

Starting point is 00:08:05 the human being be feeling like other life forms are not equal and I thought that was a really interesting line too yeah and the question of um what is sentient life in the form of artificial intelligence is a really interesting one too that I don't know if I have a full opinion about honestly because it's such a development and I think we are so undoubtedly we might already be there in some ways of creating a program that is you know sentient to a form like I think we can get there fast or if we're not there already I think we can get there pretty quick but yeah like how he becomes parent, a parent to them is, it's fucking with my brain. Can I ask you? I have a hard time forming thoughts because I'm like, my mind is zigzagging. I could use some acid. And then I feel like I could talk clearly.

Starting point is 00:09:07 I have a few ancillary questions. If you're ready to know. Yeah. Yeah, that'll help me focus. Number one, how did you feel about not having that much Will Poulter in this episode? Great. You think it was a good amount? I think it's smart.

Starting point is 00:09:18 I think we'll get more Will Poulter in the future. and the future of Black Mirror? Yeah. I think the way they used him was effective and sets the stage for more to come with him. And I like his pocket in the universe that he is as sort of an architect of the technology of these things that I'm kind of growing and really fascinated with how does this all connect to these technological advancements? Because they place him in a very specific time period as this architect of this technology that will affect. stuff like Callister and Juniper, and somehow that forms into that in some way. How do you feel about it? I wish we got, we hear that he had another breakdown.

Starting point is 00:10:00 I don't think that we're going to see him again because this is one of the first episodes to ever have a sequel, let alone if they had a Will Poulter continue to show up all over the place. It just, it doesn't seem very black mirrory to have that happen. Do I think it would make sense to see him in the future? Yes, he do because I think he could be doing so many different things. And he's the one who kind of introduced alternate timelines and universes. structure to us in Bander Snatch and that was a movie so of course there could always be more to be done but I don't think we'll see him again and I do wish we got to see him a little bit more

Starting point is 00:10:30 at the end in the same way that you know after we watched the episode 3 you were like I wish we got to see a little bit more movie ended that you were like I wish we got to see a little bit more of the reaction afterwards what happens oh it was episode one actually with Rashida Jones and you were like I wish it was a little longer I wish somebody got to see see like more of it more of the the two of them just actually make that decision and sit through that I felt that with this one like I kind of wish that we got to see a little bit more of like all these people are caoed on the ground when they pop up are they all going to be just like Peter Capaldi and what does that mean and where is it I I needed I not needed it I wanted a little

Starting point is 00:11:13 bit more at the end and part of what I wanted was the Will Poulter stuff like so does that mean He really hasn't been losing his mind this whole time. And he actually has been doing what Peter Capaldi's character's been doing. And it's just that's the way that it's manifesting or what. So I would have liked a little more Will Poulter. I also think that I'm completely biased because I'm obsessed with Will Poulter. I think he's a genius. And so I wish we got a little more of him.

Starting point is 00:11:44 But I loved watching Peter Cappalty do his thing. I honestly think that was an Emmy-worthy performance. It was like truly phenomenal. And they did a perfect job with the casting of his younger self. He could not have been better. So that was really, really cool to see. I also think this is like my favorite shot episode of the season. The cinematographer of this was just, I mean, truly did something so unique with this story

Starting point is 00:12:08 that helped bring this story to life in a way that I don't think it would have if it didn't look this way. So that was really, really cool to see as well. You know, you hate this question that I do, but in terms of the rankings of the four episodes so far, where does this rank for you? I would probably say it was the least emotionally connected I was with a character, so I would actually put it at four, honestly, even though I loved it. You and I have the exact same rankings so far. Yeah. And I really like this episode, too. but for us it goes three one two four right now yeah yeah no it's only because i wasn't at like

Starting point is 00:12:54 i i value um emotional connection to main character even if they're good or bad and you felt the most connected to that's wrong that was sad when he starts like killing them that was really sad and i do think that poor and i think that's powerful to put you in that perspective because even if you're not like that person really believes that i think if you have to capability to put you in that perspective is strong also not showing the after effects i think that does tie it back into bandersnatch more because with him putting his handout it is as an audience member you're kind of choosing what you think might happen next totally you know so i appreciate that open-ended it makes sense it does make sense i just want a little bit more but i get why they didn't

Starting point is 00:13:38 do that another question for you there's no right or wrong answer here obviously do you believe him that he doesn't know lump's name yes yeah i think he would have given it up i do too and uh yeah i don't think i don't think he knew it and i do agree about capaldi especially i i love watching him he is a actor if i don't really know what the word gravitas means if i was to try to define it but i know how to use it and i feel like he's got a gravitational pull when i when i watch him and he is i really grew in love with him all he was one of the doctors for doctor who And I really grew to love him there and watching him here, like playing an elder man who is now gone down this like this nerdy guy who's cracked out for all the drugs and shit. And he was very believable.

Starting point is 00:14:26 He was incredibly believable. And as a person who is neurotic and had to play that line where you're going, is he crazy, he still had enough qualities that made him endearing enough. to where you did connect with him and understood where he was coming from. And the link between him and younger Cameron, I think is a character's name. Really great casting on that guy because he's the main one you're watching. I think he might get a little more screen time than Capaldi, but they feel like they are of the same person. Hey guys, I've hit a point in life where I realize time flies. And if you're not intentional about your future, sneaks up on you.

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Starting point is 00:16:16 you can go to Acorns.com slash rejects or download the app to start saving and investing today. Acorns.com slash rejects. Checking them out, does help support the channel, and more importantly, helps support your bank account. And because we're talking about money and support that I do say. Pay no inclined endorsement. Compensation provides incentive to positively promote acorns. Tier 1, compensation provided investing involves risk. Acorns advisor LLC and SEC registered investment advisor. Review important disclosures, acorns. For may corn's mighty oaks do grow. Thank you again, acorns for everything that you do it's also interesting that when you say is he crazy we we really get a definitive answer on that which is that he's not because when he draws a QR code and that

Starting point is 00:16:51 works we know he hasn't just been not talking to anybody you know we know that that's the first time we know for sure like wow you're really communicating with these people these songs because even when he puts the the battery in his head he still could be crazy they still could be no communication but when all the computers glitch and everything happens that we know for sure that something here is real yeah yeah i thought the i thought the editing too was a great star of the show there was so much i gotta look up who's worked on this there's like a kinetic force at play and you're dealing with two different timelines you're cutting between and a lot of coverage as well because they've got a billion different shots that are at times really hypnotic it would

Starting point is 00:17:38 you got to get thrown into the POV of a drug visual and there's a horror element to to a lot of its color and etherealism i thought this was a strongly i would agree on the directing front like this is a very very well like unsettling but gripping episode to watch with like a ramp and shutter speed like the way they played with their shutter speeds was really neat too agreed and um the the constant use of surveillance to show how surveillance the DNA swabbing and everything to show that when the times of throngs do get to evolve through the point it's like oh yeah because of where we're at with the advancement of technology in this timeline of black mirror the throngs would be able to infiltrate all human beings it was really strong stuff there's this was like a this was this was a very like a scary type of thought processing episode this DP was the DP of the Hunger Games movie those are good d ped movies um yeah which makes perfect sense uh this dp has done so much stuff holy crap um wow that's crazy if you look if you look him up he has done so so many things that you love

Starting point is 00:18:59 and has worked on different things that we love he worked on brittney spears every time he worked on outcast roses he worked on Will Smith's switch he did he was a DP of 30 days of night he was the DP of Limitless He was the DP of

Starting point is 00:19:19 All the Hunger Games movies He was the DP of Three Epis of American Gods He deped Red Sparrow He deped three episodes of C He deped his house He deeped Finch Slumberland

Starting point is 00:19:36 He just so many different things so that maybe it's a she I'm not sure Joe Willems no it's a man

Starting point is 00:19:45 Joe Willems great job absolutely brilliant job on this have I lost you with these yeah you're with me

Starting point is 00:19:52 okay so I'm gonna keep going you loved the editor Tony Kearns Tony Kearns was also the editor of Bander Snatch and edited

Starting point is 00:20:03 the end of the fucking world which is a show that I love that makes perfect sense too this director David Slade directed Twilight Saga Eclipse

Starting point is 00:20:16 directed Bander Snatch directed Hard Candy which is probably where he met the DP because Elliot Page Patrick Wilson, Sandra O that was their movie and okay so so many great people

Starting point is 00:20:31 working on this. Really cool yeah the talented like it's cool that they're getting people who who actually work on films it just looked like that you know wow the guy who plays the younger camera and lewis ribbon had you ever seen him before i mean he looks like other actors you know how you mentioned train spotting yeah he was in t2 train spotting was he really yes that's funny he's funny he I mean, I was getting those, like, trains, like the bits I've seen of the first train spotty movie. I was getting, um. It looks like he's upcoming in six episodes of Blade Runner in 2099, which is, that's cool.

Starting point is 00:21:16 I'm excited for that. And, wow, he was in six episodes of Generation Z. I never saw that. Is that different than Jen? Oh, I'm thinking of Gen V. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, we're using two episodes of Masters of the Air. I love that show.

Starting point is 00:21:33 Tell me what you've found in all of your searching right now. Nothing? No, I'm just playing Google. Yeah, I shouldn't do this. Hit like a button. Have you found anything? I don't think so. I mean, yeah, I mean, like, it's got my theories of down, but there's no, there's no concrete

Starting point is 00:21:49 answer now. There's like a potential timeline of stuff, but nothing that is like. It's confirmed, confirmed. Nothing that's concrete confirmed, though, now. Cool. Well, it'll be interesting to see over the coming weeks as people come up with. more theories leave your theories in the comments let us know so 80s would be bannersnatch wait say it again 80s is bandersnatch 80s like the decade is

Starting point is 00:22:12 plaything this episode is 90s to early 2000s I guess so yeah because we're if I remember what console we ended off on 2010 to 2020s is striking bipers wait so this thing at what's the latest of this thing what do you mean by the latest what's the latest what's the latest year that this thing took place because Capaldi looks like 50 years older than this guy but maybe they're saying that this caused him to age I don't know

Starting point is 00:22:43 you know what I mean let me uh I think what we a good way to determine is we look at the the last console and that'll tell us no not that they show the last console that he gets yeah they show when he's when he's buying the consoles to establish the timeline

Starting point is 00:22:58 when who's buying the consoles though I'm talking about Capaldi yeah yeah that those this will tell how like what year that would be though um of the that that dates where capaldi's at so if this is like early 90s because what they had like that doesn't date when he gets caught i think it's pretty close to the timeline of when he's caught why because of the way he was talking about it it sounded to me as if that was when he had a lot of this was very recent with the plugging in the brain to where to when he's getting arrested. Oh, I didn't get that

Starting point is 00:23:35 a sense necessarily. Could have been. Because Capaldi was Capaldi plugged it into the brain when they showed him do that. Right. The first time. But that could have been

Starting point is 00:23:46 five years before that, like. That's true. PlayStation 3. Okay. The last one I think is an Oculus. Then we should move on to the next episode.

Starting point is 00:24:02 So the switch. sure sure we're almost there Oculus Quest oh look that was the last one yeah but yeah so we'll go is this is yeah when was the Oculus I'll look I'll look keep talking I got it and the plate

Starting point is 00:24:27 2019 oh okay so this theory doesn't line up then Well, maybe they were saying it's different parts of the episodes, you know. Yeah, fair enough. Anyway, I don't know. I'm excited. This got me more excited about the future of Black Mirror. I love the interconnectivity.

Starting point is 00:24:44 But, yeah, what would you rate it out of 10? Let me call it a day on this episode. Oh, I have no idea. Hmm. I don't know. What would you rate it out of 10? I'd rate it at a 9. Really?

Starting point is 00:24:54 Mm-hmm. So are all the other episodes of season 10th? They're like 9.8s. Wow. Wow. Okay, so you loved this episode. Yeah, I mean, I'm not like madly in love with it. A nine is so high?

Starting point is 00:25:10 I'm not in a hypercritical mood. Oh, okay, okay, okay. I'm more like, yeah, sure, give it a nine. Wow, damn. It's lower for the, lower for me, probably like 7.5. Oh, really? That's really high for TV. I watch 120 shows a year.

Starting point is 00:25:26 For an episode of TV, that's really high. Yeah, that's fair. all right well there you have it folks Roxy hates it I love it oh my god don't even say that I really like this episode it's just it's my least favorite of the season so far and I think it's very

Starting point is 00:25:42 very good yeah I'd probably be at 7.5 if I mean totally honest all right guys we're gonna watch the next one thanks for being here peace

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The Reel Rejects - BLACK MIRROR Season 7 "Plaything" Episode 4 Breakdown & Review | Netflix

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