BLACK MIRROR'S FIFTEEN MILLION MERITS - EXPLAINED & ANALYSED

Hi Everyone, today I’m sharing with you my explanation and analysis of Fifteen Million Merits.
This episode is the second installment of the first series of Charlie Brooker’s acclaimed show Black Mirror, which can currently be streamed on Netflix.
The story revolves around Bing and Abi.
The pair are trapped in a dystopian future world and Bing wants to help Abi find a better life for herself through the salvation of reality TV.
It’s a great episode and one that makes us take a long hard look at our own society, the celebrity culture we worship and our value systems.
As always I hope you enjoy this video and thank you to all my subscribers for your ongoing support :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER FILM ANALYSIS VIDEOS YOU MAY LIKE
Primer (2004) illustrated explanation - • PRIMER (2004) - ILLUST...
Donnie Darko (2001) illustrated explanation - • DONNIE DARKO (2001) - ...
Predestination (2014) illustrated explanation - • PREDESTINATION (2014) ...
Coherence (2013) illustrated explanation - • COHERENCE (2013) - ILL...
Mulholland Drive (2001) explained and analysed - • MULHOLLAND DRIVE (2001...
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) explained and analysed - • 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY ...
Solaris (1972) explained and analysed - • SOLARIS (1972) - EXPLA...
Triangle (2009) illustrated explanation - • TRIANGLE (2009) - ILLU...
#BlackMirror

[@Senate300]

While 15 Million Merits is one of my all time favourite episodes in the Black Mirror Series, the questions of success & selling out it evokes through Bing & Abi can also be mirrored by show creator, Charlie Brooker's own journey from Pop Culture Critic to Small Screen Phenomenon who's art is as prophetic as it is iconic. The way Brooker made his name criticising the Media, Entertainment and Political Systems with a balance of satire and misanthropy is no different to how he used the Black Mirror Franchise to highlight how the constant changes in technology have impacted human relations on a sociological level. Which was in direct shots. In this case the targets were the talent show system and how they operate, open world gaming where the avatars are doing most of the living for the actual human beings and the growing public desire for fame for it's own sake or as a means of escape from the boring drudgery of everyday life. Bing noticed Abi for her singing voice which made her stand out. Even with her beauty, she was just another peddler in the work force. Abi represented all that was real, authentic and organic to Bing in the artificial, digitised avatar driven world they're in. There was no sign of entitlement when she accepted Bing's Merits which was his act of kindness because that's how he believed in her talent. If anything she seemed naive optimistic and happy go lucky. The objectifying came in that speech near the end where Bing referred to Abi as it instead of a her. It's only when she's coerced by the judges and into accepting a spot on the Porn Channel Wraith Babes because the market is oversaturated with singers is when all Bing's hopes he projected on to her are shattered alongside his belief in the talent show culture. Bing's conscious decision to accept the judge's offer for his own you tube style show spewing the same bile he did on stage speaking about the harsh conditions he and his contemporaries are living under took him from a small cell with big screens to a bigger cell with bigger screens with his discontent commodified. The judges knew what Bing wanted and gave it to him. A higher standard of living. Essentially his prize for selling out was a gilded cage which is no different to that of the young, middle aged and older hopefuls who win talent shows but find themselves limited interms of creative autonomy over their music and image while beholden to the demands of industry execs and management. Bing's choice could also be viewed as Charlie's means of self flagellation over the idea that he may have sold out since he himself became a brand in his own right but it need not be because it's for his intelligence and creativity he is celebrated. The other girls name is Swift. After watching Abi be exploited & Bing sell out, Swift switched off entirely like a growing number of people who've become jaded, disillusioned and contemptuous of the oversaturation of reality TV, ads and false hope shoved down their throats, day in, day out while fully aware of the world she's in and her place in it with no way out. For Swift, the drudgery is all there is. 15 Million Merits has basically built a dystopia around societies addiction to distractions, love of open world gaming with real money, the worship of ready made celebrity and desire for instant fame. Each contributing to a prison environment made of impoverished and gilded cells.

[@CorbCorbin]

It really felt like an AI that uses these levels of less work, game and benefits, that get more and more close to having what their world’s current biggest star. In reality, it’s all an illusion of keeping them within the system in one way or another, continually hoping for the next level closer to a freedom that really doesn’t exist. There is no outside for these humans anymore, or it’s so different from before whatever lead to the way this world gets energy, or any resource, as we don’t see how food is made, another disturbing thing if one believes there is no _outside_ .

[@gvsyn]

The whole "Black Mirror" thing was a bit the "tablets and phones", the other chunk being a black mirror is a scrying device. A glimpse into the future.

[@jaycoxjaycox]

Bing is like a lot youtubers now; anger gets views, whether they are honest about it or not. The Scottish gal cracks me up. The soundtrack is amazing. Good call with the drink box = terms of service, that was a great analogy. I love your stuff!. your primer and Donnie Darko vids were great, I sent them to everyone I thought would have interest.

[@LondonCityGirl]

So true! When I was watching it Bing reminded me of so many controversial KZbinrs exploiting young people to get views and live that lavish life ... not my cup of tea at all.

[@Khaatana]

Is the blonde lass Scottish? Need to check coz I genuinely thought she was Liverpudlian :')

[@ashleyhansennken7770]

You’re officially my favourite KZbinr right now! Keep up the good work Sis!!!!!

[@someshpatel7660]

Thanks for your great explanation. Loved it.

[@trevor3013]

Amazing video. I'm surprised I havent found your channel sooner.

[@nickcorcoran7638]

ive watched most of your videos and subscribed a couple months ago but I just wanted to say how good your videos are and how glad I am you make them

[@LondonCityGirl]

Thank you - these comments make putting out these videos worthwhile as I have to do them round my full-time job and other commitments. This channel is a real labour of love 😀

[@Growmap]

Excellent analysis. Thank you!

[@kedarpednekar7896]

Could not find such a great explanation on youtube, thanks!

[@ComicPower]

Great review. Black Mirror was the best show of the 2010s and this was the best episode. There are so many layers here and you explained it all expertly. Great job.

[@Ls89010]

Loved this! It was an interesting episode...

[@Codemarla]

Great analysis. I cant wait to hear more from you. Black Mirror is one of my favourite ever shows. Ive loved Charlie Brooker since his Screenwipe days.

[@LondonCityGirl]

He's brilliant isn't he? I love the stand alone nature of the episodes, I revisit time and time again 😀

[@mepkn]

Great analysis! Would love to see more of this.

[@LondonCityGirl]

Thanks for watching and I have a series of videos planned :)

[@stealthyjun]

Love your analysis vids, keep it up.

[@LondonCityGirl]

Will do and thank you for watching!

[@briansinger5258]

The bikes generate energy, making the riders are more productive than the janitors. That’s why they shame them - it’s for the needed stability for a system that apparently requires people to pedal bikes. Since the middle class aren’t really that productive in our world, the analogy doesn’t survive much scrutiny. What’s more interesting is the way the anti-consumerist message, his rebellion, was immediately cooped by the media and sold back to the people. That happens time and time against our world, and I’m sure theirs: from grunge to hip hop, counterculture is extremely lucrative for someone that can make it harmless and accessible.

[@joseville]

Very well put. This is the commodification of resistance, subversion, counterculture.

[@goatskin4487]

By your definition the value of one's work determines your productivity. One's salary is determined by the value of one's work, thus the middle class are more productive then the those who are poorer in our world.

[@KD--sj8eo]

@@goatskin4487 Salary doesn’t reflect value fairly though. That’s why productivity (and thus value) has increased for the last 4 decades but not concurrently with wage, no matter your “class” which really is working class vs those whose wealth generates more wealth.

[@CT_Phipps]

Like the Matrix, the fact biking wouldn't actually provide that much electricity is part of the point I think. They peddle because it provides them a job even if the job isn't actually valuable. It does, however, keep the capitalist system going.

[@KeeperOfMemories]

thanks for explaining this..... this was the only one episode that i didn't understand fully ..im watching it again to try to understand it more.then i stopped and searched for more info..this video explains it all... thanks so much...its a great episode but a confusing one!! keep it up and have a lovely night!!

[@Cakez253]

Great analysis. I haven't seen this episode for a few years and forgot how it ended..

[@SubLBCgrowingforfreedom]

Great video!!!! Needs more views!

[@randomrealistictone2231]

Wow. I think I'm rewatching this.

[@smdfps2]

Your videos are really cool, especially the scientific ones. I can't stop watching them thanks a lot!

[@smdfps2]

Make more time travel stuff if you ever have the time!

[@julcaos]

Holly shit, this was awesome!

[@madds3435]

Intriguing analysis, especially the bit on how being an attractive female can almost be crippling in a society that puts beautiful women into the sex category rather than valuing them by their wits or talent. Keep doing your thing girl! The world needs more women you-tubers.

[@goatskin4487]

Being pretty is only a good thing because it's a sex category. If not then those who are who be treated like anyone else.

[@Nitzah]

Basically the play “Reasons to be Pretty” in which is about the ugly side of being a bombshell

[@magplin]

17:00 she is the real hero...

[@thatsmynamesowhat2949]

This BM episode is quite brilliant.

[@CT_Phipps]

I wonder how much of this is autobiographical. It feels like Booker realizes that he made a angry horrifying shout into the wind and the networks went, "Cool story, bro. Here's a series and lucre."

[@tmarie25]

Bing just got his karma back. The girl that taught Bing how to get food from the vending machine was interested in him, however, he used what she taught him to impress Abi. Abi didnt love Bing like that however she didnt mind getting his merits! Because all she cared about was herself she ended up being a sex slave on the next level. Yes, making money but still enslaved sexually.

[@coffeeNiK]

Hey! Haven't seen your vids in a bit. Hope you're doing alright

[@LondonCityGirl]

I'm fine, thank you for asking 😀 Just very busy with life - I always have a video in production, it's just finding the time to make them happen around everything else that goes on 😜 Thank you for the continued support.

[@gj9157]

What were they living inside of?

[@ltldevl]

I believe that nearly every single person would sell out.

[@sensationsuperthrust]

what are the early naughtys? oO

[@kishore9879]

please make an explanation video on DARK

[@ruskibot7745]

God himself couldn't explain DARK

[@Troy-ol5fk]

please do white christmas

[@808mike]

In the early naughties

[@ltldevl]

2000s

[@JulesRai]

I have to say that I was with you up until the very end, there, with your analysis of their love story. Got real cynical, real quick. Abi clearly has more going on for her than her pretty face, you said so yourself. She sticks out, she smiles and sings where others don't, and it's an obvious break from the monotony he's experienced up until that point. And as for how resistant she is or isn't about his merits: first, man, movies have to compress ideas, sometimes. And second, aside from his insistence (which is pretty convincing for me as an audience member), she's clearly the optimistic type, so this falls right in line with that. You can't apply your own meaning of time spent, acquaintance versus friendship and when one should transition to the other, or when certain behaviors should start and not start; those are yours. Very subjective stuff. And how can you not take into account the fact that nobody here knows anybody. They all seem to live alone with no room for anyone else that we can see, and we see no other semblance of relationships with any depth to them with anyone anywhere. So what's the difference, there? Everything in their lives is superficial, including their interactions with others. All of this kind of makes his attraction to Abi a bit more than just being about "a pretty face". And since we have to based our assumptions of a movie on the information we glean from that movie (show, etc), you can't just draw out that she's used to getting her way because she's pretty. Nothing about the way she plays the character shows that. If anything, she seems to be that character that's oblivious to it. And she's obviously taken aback when her singing is overshadowed by this. I'm just saying. Like; not just super cynical, man, but also not really to be inferred from the source material. I mean, I'd expect at least one scene where we get to see that she knows she's pretty and she's loving it. Or something to show us that she's at least partially aware of it. She seems rather ignored by everybody else at their job, to be honest with you. And lastly: it doesn't make any more sense to bestow virtue on the woman in the friend zone than it would to Abi. We know nothing about either. He's just clearly disinterested; nothing much he can do about that. People can't always be attracted to the convenient person who happens to think they're great, and since we see nothing in his character that shows us that he has a problem with people liking him or any issues with his self esteem (other than the effects of living in that world). I think maybe something more personal came out, there, with this one? But otherwise, hey; I do love your analyses.

[@LondonCityGirl]

A staunch defence of Abi to be sure 😂 and as you say we don’t know enough about her to really make a judgement either way.

[@JulesRai]

@@LondonCityGirl Aww, I wouldn't say that. It's probably just more of a defense against cynicism, really. Lol it's the Stoic way. I think it more stands that all the main characters, there, were pure in the beginning and corrupted in the end. And the friend, by her own cynicsm (which wasn't unfounded). I just thought you were being a little cruel to love, that's all :-)

[@renes.5413]

What if it's not about capitalism but more abaout a futuristic socialism/communism thing? Everyone is working for everyone. Nobody has an own identity. People are locked up in their rooms and big events are virtually. They pay not with real money but with a digital currency they get from the leaders, not from individual companys. If you sell yourself to entertain the masses, you get a more comfty life in this oppressing system, but you are still kind of a slave. You never have the chance to break free from this cage like system. They are marked (like animals)? (the scene where they scan his hand?) Some people would say that this is a glimpse to a possible near future.

[@mordecai8305]

Simping for Lenore

[@alexl53]

Capitalist system? Where does involuntary confinement fit into the picture of voluntary contracts and respect for property rights? Despicable.

[@grrhmaadulyaa7857]

Woooooosh.

[@laxr5rs]

Is it in the TV show? I have an idea. They made it up.

[@helderrocha2129]

This is my favourite Black Mirror episode. But I disagree when you say that Bing was integrated in the system in order to neutralise a meanace. I think it was offered that chance to him because they realize nobody would take him seriously, so he wasn't any meanace.

[@overcraft1441]

Pedal bike = petabyte

[@User-jp1sj]

I get that it's a metaphor but it would be fantastic if we got a little worldbuilding. How did those three.people somehow imprison almost all of humanity in one building?

[@Brynhildrify]

In the early naughty? Wut

[@LondonCityGirl]

That’s how you refer to the 2000 to 2019 time period, so you have eighties, nineties, noughties etc.

[@scottrickhoff4184]

How about getting a narrator that can annunciate while speaking English? The British use of vowels can be quite an ear worm. 😕

[@LondonCityGirl]

Advice from a person who can’t spell enunciate? No thanks 😂

[@nativeam25]

Ok you watched it tho right ? How about making your own channel

[@bmardiney]

A shallow and juvenile critique of capitalism...no wonder I hated this episode. It’s a miracle I kept watching the show beyond this one. Thankfully, there are some real gems in the series. This episode was one of the worst things I’ve ever seen.