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It may be an overwrought comparison, but BBC’s Black Mirror truly is today’s version of Rod Serling’s classic Twilight Zone series. There’s pointed commentary, intriguing hypotheticals, and even a sprinkle of occasional whimsy. As the zeitgeist of the times, it’s also much darker. Where Serling offered the world tepid optimism, Black Mirror carries a chronic and often borderline nihilistic cynicism. And there’s no better example of such sensibilities than its debut episode, “The National Anthem”. Some may call such affectations overly gloomy or oppressively skeptical, but it seems like current affairs are now vindicating Black Mirror’s pessimism.
Pop culture is also beginning to learn into the same sort of gross-out shock value as the show’s inaugural episode. There’s plenty left to be said about “The National Anthem”. Individualism, materialism, and vanity are quickly becoming society’s gold standard. The lines between public and private life are rapidly disintegrating. Particularly in the West, political campaigns are becoming more about “vibes” than ideology. Like its predecessor, Black Mirror’s prescience is disturbingly on the nose. Yet, even knowing that, “The National Anthem” remains a brilliantly unpalatable experience.
“The National Anthem” Is a Disturbing Piece of Social Commentary
- The initial Black Mirror pitch was delivered to BBC Channel 4’s comedy team. In this iteration, the show was to be an eight-episode limited series. Each entry would be half an hour.
Thanks to its intentionally shocking plot, “The National Anthem” has earned a place in pop culture infamy. Its “twist” is now enshrined in history, and even non-viewers have likely heard of its tale. Still, considering that it’s more than a decade old, it might be worth revisiting the specifics. “The National Anthem” primarily revolves around one man: British’s fictional prime minister, Michael Callow (Rory Kinnear). He enjoys a modestly successful career and a decent relationship with his wife, Jane Callow (Anna Wilson-Jones).
This otherwise mundane existence is broken by the late-night kidnapping of beloved Princess Susannah (Lydia Wilson). Her ransom is equal parts strange and disturbing: The kidnappers want Michael to have sex with a pig. At first, the unpleasant sexual demand is ignored. The government concocts a plan to create a fake video by compositing Callow’s face onto the body of porn star Rod Senseless (Jay Simpson). However, it seems they have some dismal opsec practices. A photo of Senseless at the studio gets posted online. The kidnappers retaliate by sending a news channel Susannah’s severed finger and audio of her pained cries.
The sordid matter boils over. The public demands that Callow kowtow before the kidnappers. Understandably, Jane is devastated by and vehemently against such a plan. However, urged on by House Secretary Alex Cairns (Lindsay Duncan), Michael reluctantly does as he is told. The act is broadcast live to 1.3 billion people. His approval rating rises. Unbeknownst to Callow, Susannah was safely released half an hour before filming began, and the finger came from the hand of now-dead artist and kidnapper Carlton Bloom.
“The National Anthem” Is More Disturbing (And Relevant) in Hindsight
- Despite some rumors, the infamous pig scene was never meant to go beyond what is shown in the episode.
- Series creator Charlie Brooker oversaw the segment’s production alongside his wife, Konnie Huq. It took only a few attempts to film.
It’s hard to call “The National Anthem” anything less than repugnant. The idea of any global leader appeasing a criminal’s demands is unpleasant enough; the demand’s sexual element only adds to the horror. Few people can stomach such an idea, and even fewer will want to watch such a scene play out twice. Like Studio Ghibli’s Grave of the Fireflies, one viewing of “The National Anthem” is often enough.
And of course, the porcine “twist” is what sticks out most. Even today, it’s remembered as “that pig episode.” It’s a fittingly vague and ominous descriptor for one of television’s most gut-punching pieces of social commentary. The general reluctance to dive deeper may even be a symptom of the episode’s downright abhorrent basis. Yet, that may be an unfair evaluation. And of course, the porcine “twist” is what sticks out most. Even today, it’s remembered as “that pig episode.”
It’s a fittingly vague and ominous descriptor for one of television’s most gut-punching pieces of social commentary. The general reluctance to dive deeper may even be a symptom of the episode’s downright abhorrent basis. Yet, that may be an unfair evaluation. Four years after “The National Anthem” debuted, England experienced what is now referred to as “Piggate”. The head-scratching scandal revolved around a tale found in then-prime minister David Cameron’s unauthorized autobiography, Call Me Dave, penned by Michael Ashcroft and Isabel Oakeshott.
Allegedly, when pledging to join Oxford’s Piers Gaveston Society, a young Cameron privately mirrored the acts presented by Black Mirror. The adage was roundly denied and dismissed as a strange case of bad reporting. Now, with the gift of hindsight, it stands as one of the many times Black Mirror’s commentary proved itself uncomfortably true. Yes, like The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror seems to have the gift of foresight. It’s a trait shared with long-running American sitcom The Simpsons, and it’s perfectly explainable.
All good commentary requires keen observational skills. Writers must understand that what happens now will shape the future, and the perfectly rational decisions of today can easily become tomorrow’s headaches. “The National Anthem” is a multi-layered treat, but one of its core warnings is that the power of social media cannot be wholly ignored. In Black Mirror’s vision, the world runs on public opinion. The brashest and — often — least informed of opinions overwhelm and override the tried and true methodology of seasoned counselling.
Advisors matter less than widespread social media outrage. Now, as people around the world face encroaching oppression, Black Mirror’s commentary is becoming reality. Like it or not, that pig is today’s greatest adversary. It may have been unthinkable for such a thing to have happened in 2011, but it seems uncomfortably probable today. Self-styled populists are rising to power, and their actions revolve around appeasement. Whatever their original intentions were is irrelevant; like Callow, their only goal is public adoration.
Black Mirror
TV-MA Drama Mystery Science Fiction Thriller 10 10 1 10 10 1
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