The fact they wiped her memory is what made the punishment unjust. They may as well be punishing a completely different person.

i just wanna mention how fucked up it is that they have the technology to make criminals forget there crimes and start anew under possible better circumstances and instead they do this lol

There is a very important detail you should've included in the video in my opinion. When Victoria, and the audience, is shown the news report of her crime, it is said that it wasn't Victoria who actually committed the crime; but it was Victoria who FILMED it, which means she was an accomplice. In other words, she was a spectator of the crime. What does this remind you of? Throughout essentially the entire episode Victoria saw spectators filming crimes which were inflicted upon her (by the staff of the white bear park). I think this is an intentional and key part of the plot. The people who were constantly filming her didn't help her, much like Victoria didn't help the girl who was being killed. Perhaps the staff of the park did this on purpose.

Whenever someone asks me what black mirror is about I immediately tell them to watch this episode. To this day this episode has shaken my core

I noticed that the people with cell phones idea seemed to focus on the passivity of the public to watch crimes being committed while doing nothing about it. even justifying thier behavior with ideas like, "it's just a theme park", or "She's a criminal, so it's ok." it creates a running man/death race type feel.

One of the most terrifying things is that when I ask people what they thought of this episode, they always say that she deserved it. That it was justice. It terrifies me because, in the end, the justice became obstructed by torturing of this woman and everyone became obsessed with punishing her. The same with the other episodes, many people who seem to love this show are guilty of the same things the antagonists in the episodes do. Tweeting "#kill (insert person of controversy)", placing their value in their Instagrams, refusing to communicate and simply block each other because of differences, Black Mirror isn't just about what is to come. It's about what is happening right now.

I also feel this episode makes a statement about the desecration of zoos. When I watched Victoria run and cry as she tried to get away from the killers, all for the entertainment of the public, I drew parallels to how human beings train circus animals to do stunts for the sake of our entertainment. I like especially how the name of the park was White Bear Park but juxtapositionally places a human within it.

I think this episode was not only a rumination on the ethics of torture/punishment but on society’s role of where to draw the line when it comes to justice, punishment, and empathy for convicted criminals. Can we still empathize with criminals when we see them being punished? Does the punishment fit the crime? If we were to find out that the person being tortured were innocent, how would we react? Would we punish ourselves for being complicit in their torture or just move on like nothing happened? It brought up a lot of morality questioning for me, and the answers I had were always in the grey murky area. This is one of the most underrated episodes of the series, but in my opinion, it’s one of the most thought-provoking.

Yaaay I've been waiting for this, the episode gave me serious chills.

I've just seen this episode, and my question is how long will it be until she remembers everything, or remembers so much that they can no longer use the same routine. She vaguely remembered the man who drove her to the woods, she remembered that 'white bear' was significant and later remembered that they shouldn't go there. It's not shown how long she had been kept there, but she was clearly starting to remember things, and the memory erasure wasn't as effective as they thought it would be. So do you think she'd eventually remember enough to evade or kill the staff and escape the complex?

I thought this would be the first episode to leave me disappointed but that bait and switch right at the end really did my head in. I loved how you empathize with the main character's confusion only to have that completely shattered. Aside from the really uncomfortable agonizing screaming she was exhibiting, I feel like this form of torture would certainly be worse than death.. but did she deserve it? Hm. This show is amazing.

I really hated the fact that they made her lose her memory. By making her forget her part in the crime she has no way of mourning or learning from her mistake. She is just made to suffer for a crime that her present self did not commit. They are trying to punish a criminal who, because of them, no longer exist. Our memories make up who we are and without them we are different people. By taking them away they have made a criminal who is no longer there. I really wish they maybe handled it differently. I love these analysis videos though. Black Mirror is one of my favorite shows and these videos are a really great way of looking at them through a cool angle. Keep up the good work man!

they erased the murderer/accomplice by taking her memory, so they were torturing an innocent women. this episode is sick.

"The ethics of torture" It's simple: If the sole purpose of torture is the torture itself (i.e. you're not trying to get something out of the person), then it's just torture for the torturer's (and the audience's) enjoyment. The circumstances before the torture don't make any difference. It can be the worst fucking serial killer child rapist, if you torture them "for their deed", you're actually just torturing them for your enjoyment. What's worse, you rationalize that you're entitled to enjoy their torture because of what they did.

I felt disgusted and horrified when I finished this episode. I understand the woman kidnapped and murdered and innocent child, but just as I saw in another comment, this woman has no memory. How is it ethical to torture a woman who has no recollection of the crime, let alone her identity. At least the little girl was able to have an end to her momentary suffering. This torture doesn’t even compare, nor seems worth it if this woman can’t remember. It’s pure sadism, not even close to “justice” that they speak of. What is the purpose of revenge if the person can’t even remember? Also, these actors seem more disturbed than this lady-in a sick and twisted kind of way too. This episode just disturbed me internally...so cruel and unfair.

"We don't know if she actually did it or not" - They keep saying she's in the videos and was filming them, we don't see the child murder videos, but they make it clear she was 100% guilty.

This episode made me sick of the things people will do and then think of themselves has doing the right thing.

For me, the most nightmarish part of this episode was knowing that I know people who would be 100% on board with this. For me, justice is mainly about decreasing suffering, not inflicting pain on criminals. Locking away murderers makes sense to me -- they are kept from murdering anybody else. I suppose execution gets the same result. Rehabilitation is ideal to me, since instead of just losing a destructive member of our society, we can gain a productive one. Some people are fucked up in the head in such a way that rehabilitation is impossible -- but most people, including those will severe mental illnesses, do have the potential to grow enough to function in society. But I understand all three options. What I don't understand, and am horrified by, is hurting someone for the sake of hurting someone. People want to express their rage, get their vengeance, yes... but I've yet to see torture for torture's sake actually make society better. Hell, if you look at a lot of (say) murderers out there, most of them have had some sort of traumatic past. With sociopaths, it seems pretty much universal. My point is, if serious trauma helps inspire someone to do horrible things, then another round of serious trauma probably won't make them better. Kind of like how on soap operas, a character will get hit in the head, lose their memories, hit their head again, and magically regain them. That's not how life works.

Immediately clicked on this as soon as I saw the Thumbnail. Brilliant analysis as always. I find that White Bear and Waldo are quite underrated episodes that raise a lot of fascinating questions about the general public's influence. Can't wait to see your next breakdown!

This makes me realize that it isn't just made up fiction. There are actual real people, in this world, in this very comment section, who are sadistic enough to consider this acceptable. They enjoy seeing human suffering as long as they can write it off as "justice", and keep believing that they are good and moral. They're among us, people, plenty in numbers. They would gladly buy tickets to this show, take their kids for a weekend, and enjoy themselves. We think of Romans and their gladiator fights as savages, but we haven't changed. We're still savages.

This is by far my favorite episode. My brain fucking exploded when the twist hit me.

I don't see the logic of it when she can't remember her awful deed... it's not even controversial, it's just not logical... the punishment is not justified or even useful in any sense when shd doesn't remember the reason for being punished... also it's time to read Foucault again, peace

she doesnt even know she is being tortured - the people are like, worse then what she did in a way though... whos the real villain?

It’s interesting now watching bandersnatch and realizing the sign is revealed to represent free will and how different choices lead to different realities

The people watching and filming are supposed to make her feel like the little girl her boyfriend murdered; they are watching her get, so to speak, tortured without helping her. The same thing she did with the girl. That's part of the punishment...at least that's what I think.

40-50 years in prison or in rehabilitation sounds much better than this torture. It's more humane, it stops the criminal, and it helps her move on.

I think having her go through the "torture" once is enough, making her go through the same day multiple times makes no sense, she don't remember it, everyone involved is just wasting their time.

I thought it was like symbolism for hell or karma.

I think you missed the point of the people recording her and taking pics with their phones, it's because that's exactly what she did to the little kid while she was being abducted and murdered.

it annoyed me that she wouldnt stop WHEEZING EVERY 2 SECONDS SO ANNOYING

This reminded me so much of current incidents. Whenever a crime happens people are like "Hang him", "Cut his hands", etc. And there is support of Guantanamo bay, waterboarding also. People have a really twisted meaning of the word "Justice".

For the ones saying it’s fucked up they wiped her memory and aren’t justly punishing her, I think the idea is they were making her the clueless innocent child that she helped harm in the first place

This is how I imagined justice when I was around 10 years old. And I wanted to be a dictator.

This was one of the best episodes, mainly because you are left both sympathizing and abhorring both sides (Victoria and society). There is no clear cut good or bad guy because (I think) once you erase somebody's memories, they are effectively a different person, and is it right to punish someone for the crimes of someone else? And while I hate the Park and what they are doing, I also understand. In Canada there were Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka, and if they put Homolka in a similar situation to this, I am not sure I would feel sorry for her (even with a wiped memory). I might even go to the park myself. Relating to something you said, I think you just kinda have to take 'on faith' that the backstory the park gives Victoria is accurate. Otherwise the society that allows this park seems less ambiguously in the wrong than they are portrayed here.

HOW DOES SHE eat AND drink lol

Seems rather illogical that this torture could ever be allowed when you consider that each time she gets her memory wiped she essentially becomes a new person. in my mind at least.

I’m surprised you found her guilt ambiguous, I thought they made it very clear that she filmed the acts, that she confessed even though she claimed to have been “under his spell” and that she was definitely partly to blame. Other than that everything you said was spot on. I felt so uncomfortable watching it.

I don't know if its more of a question of is it ethical but more of a modern interpretation of the public execution. Humans have always put aside moral codes when it came to criminals and given that society views of public executions are "barbaric", given to option of public torture of a criminal I believe people would defiantly pay to see it.

I had the misfortune of watching this with a friend while the both of us were tripping on shrooms, to say it was disturbing would be an understatement.

Thank you all for your patience, I have a script ready for the waldo moment so it shouldn't be too long before the next Black mirror video. Might save the white Christmas video for a Christmas day release though...

The actress who played Victoria was in my opinion one of the best performances in the entire series. I'd love to see her in future episodes or (why not?) even movies

I don’t think Victoria’s the only person in the park, rather she’s the main attraction. I imagine there’d be quite a few criminals with similarly twisted yet symbolic punishments scattered around. Almost like a theme park, but instead of roller coasters it’s criminals.

I would really like to see a spin on this episode when Victoria remembers what supposed to happen and tries to escape. Would be interesting

I completely agree with what happened in this Black Mirror episode.

In terms of those memories flashbacks Victoria has, I got the impression over time the memory wipes were getting less effective and she was actually remembering what she did but by bit. I like the idea of her actually waking up, having an idea of who she is, what she has done and where she is. It would be interesting to see her trying to turn the tables.

Also very interesting to point out the similarities of the episode to the Greek mythology tale of the Titan Prometheus. After defying the gods of Olympus and giving humanity the gift of fire, Prometheus was bound to a rock where each day an eagle, the emblem of Zeus, was sent to feed on his liver, which would then grow back to be eaten again the next day. Eternal torture.

I could think of a few criminals who we could put into "Justice Parks" like this. *cough* Shittenpants *cough*

The girl actor was extremely cute tho

A society lacking in grace and mercy. Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth, Life for Life.

I was wondering "how is this punishment for her if she can't remember anything?" Like aren't these ppl just psychopaths torturing someone who isn't actually learning from her sentence and they're not bettering society by spending money on this project. And since they have to keep her alive, do they feed her? Do they make sure the tech doesn't permanently damage her brain so that they can keep up the charade? They have to take care of her to keep her alive just to torture her? That's sick shit.

Ethics of torture, sure, but also a commentary on what's known as 'the bystander effect'. People that stand around and watch instead of doing something, or in the modern age, recording it for posting online. Don't get too strung up in the fiction because this show is entirely symbolic for the sake of social satire, not weaving some greater filmic universe.

Love your analysis vids! Keep up the great work :)

Does anybody else feel that she is also brainwashed into believing that she committed a crime that didn't really happen??

I'm conflicted on this one. Society can't function by going off the will of an angry mob, no matter how justified the anger may feel. But at the same time I have absolutely no sympathy for Victoria. She wasn't convicted of stealing sweets from a corner shop, she helped abduct and film the torture and death of a child. This is maybe the worst crime a human can commit. Because children represent innocence and are unable to defend themselves. Even among prisoners, those who we deem to be the undesirables of society despise child abusers, and there's a reason for. I really enjoyed the analysis overall, but I don't understand why you question if she actually did it or not, based on the evidence they convicted her of, it's blatant that she was a willing participant of it.

been waiting for more of these, thanks

Just discovered your channel and I love these videos mate, Black Mirror is just an unbelievable show! Subscribed and look forward to more 👊

Excellent! Love the channel and black mirror. Keep it up mate

No one fucking deserves this, this is just fucking sick beyond belief. This makes the death penalty look like 30 minutes in the corner.

Oh damn i legit JUST finished this episode and this video popped up in my suggestion. Great analysis! This episode was a total mindfk. Well so are all other black mirror episodes tbh.

This episode is pretty fucked up IMO. Because even though she does get punished. She doesn't seem to remember anything.

This episode will torture your mind forever..

For what ever reason i want to see a series

I just love your analyses. Well done again!

yes!!! im super excited to watch this. gotta comment before I finish it :). so close to white Christmas.. good review man, looking forward to the rest!

I love your black mirror analysis videos. Can't wait for the next one!

why doesn't this channel have millions of subscribers? The content/script are all great!

I actually enjoyed this episode more than i was going to. I love how it came full circle in the end from the symbols, to the woods, to the people videoing her, and her childlike confusion. All factors to fit her crime and make her feel like she was in it.

This episode raises questions like no other and in the end it makes a lot of things clear but still raises questions to be answered. Great episode !

The parade reminds me of 1984's Two Minutes Hate... They're directing anger towards something they've been told is bad... but do they really know enough to be able to argue their own case?

Does anyone else feel like “justice park” is an Orwellian-esque term for concentration camp?

my favourite episode!! thank you for breaking it down to help

Very glad im watching this on october 17 and not october 18th haha Just started watching your videos, halfway through my binge :) keep it up

White bear was one of the most coldest episode yet I've seen, it was clear to me that this torment was wrongfully done. If she deserves this then people who drink and drive deserve the same thing.

I think maybe the writer of this episode might have got the idea from the Ian Brandy and Myra Hindley who captured, tortured and killed children while recording the children.

The twist in this episode shocked me so much that I became paranoid every episode after it was going to do the same twist

I saw this episode as a great metaphor for the value of human life. If it is the criminals or refugees of Syria/Iraq/etc., many tend to value human life less, and papers are making money with the stories. Here the people are paying the fee to the park to see it closely, although in real life we only get to witness these sort of problems from a far, at the same time judging people without seeing their faces, hearing their stories.

I feel like the only reason they wiped her memory at the end of each day was because she begs them to kill her at the end of each day. If she doesn't remember anything, she'll be ready to fear for her life all over again. It's pretty sick. What's more fucked up is that it wouldn't matter how much remorse she showed after learning about what she did, they're just going to keep torturing her till she's a freaking vegetable.

this is brilliant, thank you for the video!

I had been procrastinating watching White Bear, because Be Right Back really freaked me out. But I wanted to watch your analysis so I sucked it up. It was still effed up, but I'm glad I could finally watch your analysis of it. Great vid! Can't wait till season 4 comes out, so that hopefully you analyse those too!

People seem to get the impression that this episode is about the extremity of certain types of punishments against criminals, but I think it is really going for something else entirely. The episode is more of a commentary of how the justice system and the prison system currently function in many countries across the world, where the prison exists for the sake of punishment and not for the sake of rehabilitation. It exists in its current condition, not because it is actually effective or efficient, but because it provides resolve to peoples' obsession with revenge. The fact that she lost her memory is hardly just a plot convenience tool. They are punishing another person at that point, and likewise, it draws a parallel to criminals who have reformed and have morally become different people. It is not about the amount of punishment or the extremity of it at all, really. It is the fact that prison exists as a place to punish in the first place, rather than a place for people to repent and become a new person.

Episodes like these just prove that no one is born bad. Remove the memories that caused someone to get to that point and they wouldn’t do it again, so why not just use technology this advanced to do that instead?

This is a brilliant analysis. I posted it on my Facebook page this morning. Thank you for the work you put into it. I look forward to watching your other ones. Black Mirror has got to be one of the best television series I have ever seen. It is much like "Tales of the Unexpected" and "The Twilight Zone" from years ago. Love you work! Lisa

im really liking these videos glad i found this channel looking forward to your take on "shut up and dance"

This is like truman show except for a criminal

This episode really reminds me of an episode of Derren Brown ‘Apocalypse.’ He hypnotises a man and has him wake up in the middle of an apocalypse and there are actors and zombies playing along. It is very realistic and I believe his Mum put him forward for the show as he wasn’t spending enough time with her.

It is interesting to also note the significance of props and locations in this episode. Cell Phone - This was the most obvious since it was used to humiliate Victoria and what she used to assist in killing the little girl. (Bystander Effect) Fire and Gas - She finds Jem who isn't affected, at the Gas Station. Victoria is told to roll her the Fire Extinguisher so they can be free from the shooter. Later in the episode, Jem attempts to burn the tower using gas and fire. (Similar to Jemima's unfortunate fate) Gun- Throughout the episode, a gun is controlling her movements and actions. (Leaving the neighboorhood, in the woods and trying to kill the hunter. ) This serves as a reference to Iaian "holding a gun to her head". Victoria chose to allow all of the events occur up until she was sentenced to punishment at the white bear park.

damn they created her own hell loop on Earth

She’s sick for what she did but society here is just as sick as her for enjoying torture

The episode makes a good commentary on the privatized prison sector or "prisons for profit" that have become more prevalent of lately. These prisons have been accused of having subpar conditions and treating the prisoners as less than human. However people who have chosen to speak out about this have been accused of being supporters of "rapest and murders", but I think we're all smart enough to know that not every legal case is as cut and dry as those two crimes.

I started black mirro just today. And i effin love it. This episode got me hooked so bad.

This has changed my perspective on justice. When a newstory breaks about a particularly heinous crime like murder or rape, a lot of people think about all these creative punishments we would “ideally” put the criminals through. But does that make us any better than them?

Something I noticed after watching this episode again last night she seems to be remembering the events that's going to happen to her such as when they first meet Baxter she knows his hideout is in the woods to which he says "oh and how do you know that" also the other women she's with who's name escapes me at the moment pretty much try's to ignore her when she freaks out at the "radio tower"

For me, this episode shows that even if we are innocent, we (or the society idk) don't act better as if we were guilty. Nobody is innocent.

Love your videos on Black Mirror : )

Haha I'm so happy you put that clip of tyres in at the very end!!! 😂👌🏻

This was an analysis? You just summed up what the episode was about

Regarding this episode - it is one (if not the) best episodes of Black Mirror. It does everything right by having the audience empathise with the women before it shows us what is really going on. At that point I think it is more of a social commentary regarding our obsession with technology and how it allows us to see every aspect of what we are being shown (but importantly not the whole truth). Black mirror often sets up the "bad guy" as the "good guy" - I think to deliberately get us to think through the consequences of our actions and desires. Who hasn't said that if someone hurts their child, they'd want the person who did it tortured and hurt over and over again or to be given 5 minutes alone with them in their cell, just to beat them up or even kill them. I hope the 2nd half of series 3 is more like series 1 & 2 rather than the more formulated episodes series 3 is currently showing. Maybe they've kept the best until last?

An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind. I wish people would focus more on rehabilitation than punishment. It doesn’t really solve anything, it just helps people feel better about themselves for a brief moment.

OMG YES I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

I loved the social commentary on the idea that the public seeks what it perceives to be justice more so for its own satisfaction, and not so much for actual punishment. I.e. We punish criminals in order to make ourselves feel better about the crime (not to actually punish the perpetrator) and ultimately get enjoyment and pleasure for ourselves.