Black Mirror : San Junipero - worth watching?

San Junipero - worth watching?

I watched the first ~15 minutes, and I was so disappointed, since it's the highest rated episode and I hated it before even getting 30 seconds in, so I skipped it so I wouldn't get a bad feeling about the series as a whole (started from s03e02 with a friend).

Did I miss out on something other than "lesbian teenage love story that's actually VR for dead people"?

I'd just like to clarify that I'm not saying it's an objectively bad episode, but just that the first 15 minutes had no entertainment value for me, and I already spoiled the plot of uploading your consciousness in data-form, which seems like it's what the whole episode revolves around except for the two girls.


Kind regards,
Alexander

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

You should just start at S01E01 and watch from there. The first two seasons are better than the third and might give you enough trust to sit through san Junipero.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

I've already seen most of the series by now, and if I have to trust the consistency of the series, then it's probably a *beep* episode, since you can usually tell where the story is going after the first 10 minutes of an episode. I don't want to sit through 30 minutes more of artsy teenage lesbian hipster-porn just to maybe get a philosophical question to ponder in the end.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

It seems that the fact the episode was about a lesbian relationship bothers you and you can't see past that fact. If so I guess don't bother with it. My girlfriend disliked the episode for the same reason.

However the episode is not about a teenage relationship... quite the opposite (there is a twist... this is black mirror after all). Also the episode explores other themes than just homosexuality. That part was really quite minor. It's more to do with certain other philosophical themes relating to the nature of the self and immortality (the TV series Caprica explored a similar theme).

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Thanks! I was just looking for confirmation that this wasn't just a romance episode, and even between a sexuality I don't relate to. I don't care about sexuality or whether someone prefers masculine or feminine stuff, but it just seemed that it was the focus point of the episode, and I don't really see the point in watching a lesbian teenage romance unfold.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Oh yeah totally get what you mean. I'm always like damn, do I really wanna watch this when it's not about people with my sexual orientation... like how annoying. Unfortunately most of the things out there are about straight couple so guess I'll just have to deal with it.

Like seriously. We homos gotta sit and watch straight people all day but you have to wonder if one lesbian story line is worth the watch. Get over yourself.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

I'm gay as well, but I think you're projecting here. The person did not say she didn't wanna watch it because it was about a gay relationship, but because there's probably no substance beyond that. I get it. LGBTQ characters usually have no depth and are only there for sexual purposes or because it's edgy.

If she doesn't wanna watch it because she doesn't wanna see the gay stuff, that's fine too. Spend your time preaching to those who wanna hear it, not those who are set in their ways.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Thanks bro! That's exactly what I meant.

Also just to be clear, I don't care about other people's sexuality, and I think it's bizarre to do so about consensual relations.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Then don't watch it. It's clearly wasted upon the likes of you anyway.

Oh for God's sake!

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Okay?

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Oh my god I am so thankful I don't know anyone like OP in real life.


Less than forget. But more than begun.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

What do you mean??

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Lesbian "teenage" love story? They're in their 20's in San Junipero and very old in the real word. Note that their personalities are a result of their real lives, which makes them mature mentally. Not that there's anything wrong with a teenage love story, either. Would you watch a show about a teenage boy falling for a girl? If so, why not watch a girl falling for another girl?

It sounds to me like you're removing yourself from the reality of the show, because it's about women and you can't or don't want to relate. Try putting yourself in their shoes. You are Yorkie, or you are Kelly. That's the way women watch shows about men: we relate to the humanity of the characters. Men usually can't do the same with female characters, because they have been taught to only relate to other men. You miss out on a lot of art and entertainment that way.

The big thing about San Junipero isn't just their love. It's the choice Kelly has to make in the end, a choice between life and death. Or rather, love and death.

It's the human condition that we all die. Most of us fall in love, and that's what makes life worth living. That's why San Junipero is a story about being a human being.

But in the end, if you can't find a way to relate to the show and it seems like a waste of your time, just ignore it. Every episode of "Black Mirror" is a standalone story with different characters, and you can probably find other episodes you like better.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Would I watch a show about a teenage boy falling for a girl? Not if that was the only substance, as I felt like it was here. It seemed like it was an episode for people that either found homosexuality provocative or interesting.

I get why people could interpret what I said as if I have a problem with homosexuality, but I never said anything about that; it's just not an interesting topic to me.

Thanks for the fullfilling answer. It seems like the episode could be interesting.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Here's the problem with your logic: you think homosexuality is a topic in and of itself. It isn't. It's just people, it's just love. Obviously, as a woman who loves women, I have an added interest in such a love story, because it's still quite rare in the media. Maybe there are even aspects to wlw that are unique to that sort of relationship.

But. I can engage with *HETEROSEXUAL* love stories too. I probably wouldn't date a cisgender man, but I can relate to the love aspect of it. I don't sit around thinking "I'm not interested in heterosexuality". Do you see what I mean?

A love story between two women is not "provocative". Again, it's just love. It's human and universal. Learn to see people not as *homosexuals*, but as human beings.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

For the first 15 minutes, there wasn't any substance between the characters, except sexual attraction and fascination of each others confidence and lack thereof, but nothing else really. All I'm trying to say is that the episode was boring. It didn't even seem like a good romance.

I've lived with both homosexual family members, and my transsexual aunt is probably the person I respect the most personally. It's a natural part of my world, and the only feeling I get if I think about it, is that it's inspiring to see people express how they are. What I have an issue with, is that I interpreted the lack of substance in the episode, as it was just another thing that catered to people that either find homosexuality refreshing or provocative. There was literally nothing in the first 15 minutes that was interesting or entertaining.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

I seriously don't understand why you couldn't just watch the other 45 minutes, but had time and patience to create this thread and wait hours for replies.

_____________
http://bit.ly/1bggYnC

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

I didn't watch the episode through, partly because I was disappointed that this was the highest rated episode and I was disappointed, and partly because I was eager to watch more episodes of Black Mirror.

I started the thread to get confirmed that it wasn't something I'd find interesting, and I stayed around, partly because I became offended, when people began accusing me of being homophobic, and partly because I just like talking on the internet.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Lmao so did you ever actually watch the entire episode or did you just keep posting about considering watching it?

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

I loved that episode. For me it's a love story.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Well, that explains why I didn't like it. I'm happy you enjoyed it.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

To be honest that episode is probably the most un-black mirror episode. It has a twist but nothing like the others.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

The technological twist was the only thing that I enjoyed. If I have had spoiled that - no value at all.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Just..wow

"A man chooses. A slave obeys."

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

IMO, I believe people who have more life behind them can relate better with this story than people who have more life ahead of them. I've crossed over to the former and even though this episode lacked the intensity of others it pulled me in as much as any of the more suspenseful episodes.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

I watch this last due to the title of this thread and I have to say its the best BM episode. Its a sad love story with great music/soundtrack.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Sorry for misleading you. Everyone has their taste, I guess. Since everyone isn't confirming my thoughts on the direction of the episode, it's probably because I was too impatient, or maybe I just wasn't interested in watching a romance.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

In my view it's the best episode as well.

The fact that it's a girl-girl relationship is one of the key things in it. It wasn't just to make it more edgy or provocative.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

I liked the episode, but I agree that the first half of it was kind of dry. Several BM episodes were like that for me, especially the one with the military guy and the Roaches. You know that there is some kind of technology twist coming, and everything before that is just filler material.

I didnt like the pacing in San Junipiero, but I liked the concept behind it. The idea of saving our consciousness after we die in a sort of virtual heaven is very interesting, and is certainly something that people are researching and hoping to develop. I liked the conflict that it brought up of the black woman not wanting to go there because her husband wouldnt be there. If that kind of technology was developed, there would be a generation of people that would have to make that tough decision of going to this virtual heaven without their family that didnt get the chance.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Your last point is a really interesting one (generation of people needing to make a choice that their previous generation hadn't been able to make) that hasn't been brought up on the other threads (that I've seen).

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Its a worthwhile concept. I'm binging all 3 seasons, and i just watched that one last night.... Its not as crazy in your face as most of the episodes, but it leaves you something to think about....

Like, the concept and its implications are more mentally deep than the other episodes, but at the expense of entertainment value. So, in the end, its a wash, and i'm glad i saw it.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

I actually thought it was a great episode. Really thought provoking. It's too bad you knew what it was about prior to watching it, because the reveal is what makes the episode. For the first 15-20 minutes, I was wondering what the point was myself.

Re: San Junipero - worth watching?

Could be the pre-conditonining of the series that's as much to do with that.

The episode lengths are all over the shop due to different production companies. And if you're making a 45 min story versus and hour or 90 min story, you're going to move the dramatic points along at different paces.
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