The seventh season of Black Mirror is nearing its conclusion, and episode five, titled “Eulogy,”presents a poignant contrast to the earlier episodes’ exploration of technology’s darker facets. While the first four installments serve as cautionary tales about technological overreach, “Eulogy”employs tech not as a destroyer but as a vessel for connection, memory, and healing amidst grief.
Beginning with a subtle narrative approach, Season 7 escalates in intensity, ultimately leading to the more tender themes of “Eulogy.”This episode emphasizes that technology has the potential to provide solace and closure rather than just disturbance and despair. By leveraging innovative storytelling, it showcases how one can find peace amidst loss. Let’s delve into the details of this reflective episode and its impactful conclusion.
What Is Black Mirror Season 7 Episode 5 “Eulogy”About?
In “Eulogy,”we follow Phillip, portrayed by Paul Giamatti, as he receives a surprising call concerning a woman named Carol Hartman, who has recently passed away. Initially unsure of his connection to her, he soon learns to embrace his memories following an offer from a company named Eulogy. Unable to attend Carol’s memorial in England, Phillip is sent a memory kit via drone, enabling him to share his recollections through virtual means.
At first, Phillip struggles to articulate his memories of Carol, but the AI assistant guides him skillfully through the process, suggesting that photographs may jog his memory. Although he possesses some pictures, many obscure Carol’s face due to their complicated breakup. Nevertheless, the AI’s innovative “image-walking” technology allows him to conjure memories and navigate their shared past.
He ultimately encounters a human manifestation of the AI within the images, recounting stories that reveal their romantic journey, marked by both joy and conflict. As Phillip rummages through his limited collection, he discovers that most images depict them without clear identities due to their emotional fallout. The exploration of their history unfolds, encompassing moments of shared music and personal tensions during times apart.
How Does Black Mirror Season 7 Episode 5 “Eulogy”End?
As their narrative progresses, Phillip learns of Carol’s accomplishments, including her opportunity to play in “Phantom of the Opera”after their band disbanded. Their communication persisted through postcards, reflecting their longing for each other, but Phillip’s moment of weakness—a one-night stand with another woman—creates a rift that culminates in a heated phone argument on his birthday. This pivotal moment nearly shatters their relationship but ultimately doesn’t end it. Intent on reconciliation, Phillip plans a visit to the UK for an anticipated reunion.
The reunion unfolds over a dinner date where Phillip notices subtle changes in Carol. However, in a heartbreaking turn, she reacts coldly to his proposal, leaving him distraught. Fueled by frustration, he later destroys their hotel room in anger, only to discover that Carol’s absence that night stemmed from a deeper secret—her pregnancy. The AI guide, embodying her daughter, delivers this painful revelation, casting a shadow over Phillip’s regrets.
The episode reaches its climax as Phillip realizes the significance of a letter Carol wrote, voicing her heartfelt hopes for their future together. An overlooked letter becomes the symbol of missed opportunities, encapsulating the emotional weight that lingers after loss. The narrative concludes with Phillip attending Carol’s memorial, where he witnesses her daughter, Kelly, playing the cello—an emblem of their past together, bridging the tech-driven narrative with raw human emotion.
A deep exploration of love, loss, and the boundaries of technology, “Eulogy”serves as a compelling reminder of the connections that endure beyond physical separation.