When “The Thick of It” premiered on Channel 4 in the UK, it left a profound and startling impression. The inaugural episode of the initial season, titled “The National Anthem,” stands out as one of the most striking and deeply unsettling stories ever told on television. This episode revolves around an unidentified terrorist abducting a fictional princess, Susannah, and compelling the British Prime Minister, Michael Callow, to perform a shocking act – sexually violating a pig on live broadcast.
In a scenario where Prime Minister Callow was not generally viewed as malicious, the ultimatum he faced seemed harsh to many. Regrettably, due to the terrorist’s menacing demands and Princess Susannah’s widespread admiration, Callow felt compelled to yield, thus leading to an instance of…
Although the pig incident in the story was abhorrent to both the characters and viewers alike, there’s a chilling, profound message embedded within the narrative that mirrors a grim reality about our own society.
The National Anthem Shows How Terror Controls the Government
Their Morality Is Dependent on Maintaining Their Image
The exploration of democracy’s concept and the extent of power held by politicians has long been a subject of analysis and worry. In 2011, “The National Anthem” presented a critique of politics, art, and rebellion that may not initially appear illogical. However, this perspective is contrasted sharply with the act of kidnapping and causing distress to a young woman, regardless of her royal status.
As Callow struggled to evade the terrorist’s threats and save Susannah, the extremist delivered a severed finger and a video showing himself apparently cutting off the princess’ finger to a local news outlet. This brutal act ultimately compelled Callow to fulfill the terrorist’s requirements, which included having sexual relations with a pig on live television, causing immense shock to his wife Jane. In reality, even the viewers tuning in were dismayed by this prospect.
remarkably, the princess got freed a full 30 minutes prior to the announced occasion, entirely unscathed. As events unfolded, the terrorist amputated one of his own fingers and eventually took his life. This act could be interpreted as another method he used to convey his message, yet it also allowed him to dodge the repercussions of his actions. In this scenario, the terrorist demonstrated that violence was a potent means of compelling governments to respond to civilians’ demands. However, unlike the typical corrupt or immoral characters often portrayed in such narratives, the politicians in this story might evoke feelings of empathy rather than delight at Callow’s grim and disturbing punishment.
In “The National Anthem,” the terrorist exploited the politicians’ dread of hostage scenarios, undermining their confidence and authority over the nation. This portrayed the terrorist as a more terrifying antagonist compared to Mia in “Crocodile” from Black Mirror or the kidnapper who targeted the princess, emphasizing the disparity between the importance of certain individuals in society. Beyond exposing governmental inefficiency, the terrorist’s actions also unveiled a deeper, darker reality.
The National Anthem Throws Shade at Humanity’s Fickle Moral Standards
People Watch in Horror Instead of Helping
What stood out most about Princess Susannah being safely released was that she walked through London’s streets undisturbed for an entire thirty minutes. Everyone, including officials, were engrossed in their TV screens, eagerly anticipating the highly-publicized event. This detail underscores a key message from the terrorist: people are captivated by spectacle, regardless of their personal ethics.
Witnessing the British Prime Minister engage in an unsavory act involving a pig was a sight that turned stomachs, yet viewers found themselves unable to tear their eyes away from their screens. Meanwhile, the missing princess remained unnoticed. This situation vividly illustrates humanity’s fascination with spectacle, a trait evident in everyday life through reality TV, graphic online videos of tragic deaths, and social media.
The disturbing act of the British Prime Minister with a pig held viewers captivated, despite their discomfort, while the missing princess went unnoticed. This incident serves as an example of humanity’s penchant for spectacle, which can be seen in our daily lives through reality TV, graphic online death videos, and social media.
In a normal situation, people tend to uphold an impression of being morally superior. However, when faced with a crisis or something disturbing, rather than turning away, they might find themselves drawn to it with curiosity, sometimes even pleasure. This parallels how the terrorist exposed that under pressure, people can discard their facade of righteousness and reveal their own darker side. In this instance, the crowd’s participation in watching the live broadcast of the Prime Minister’s humiliation didn’t align with their professed belief that the event was unjust.
The National Anthem Shows How Personal Connections Change Acceptance
Watching from the Outside is Very Different From Being Involved
In a captivating twist, the debut episode of Black Mirror, particularly “The National Anthem”, delves deeper than just addressing broader societal impacts. It also explores intricate interpersonal relationships, making it a memorable episode that remains impactful even years after its release. Unlike what one might anticipate based on Callow’s ultimatum and Princess Susannah’s significant role, the showrunners opted to highlight Jane, Callow’s wife, to illustrate the stark contrast between public opinion and personal connections.
In simpler terms, Jane earnestly begged Callow not to sleep with the pig to preserve Princess Susannah, understanding that such an act would forever bind his and her reputation together. Even after the event, her resentment towards him remains unabated, as seen by her silent rejection of him despite his increased popularity. This scenario subtly illustrates how personal sentiments can complicate situations, making them more than mere spectacles for those directly involved. As the wife of Prime Minister Callow, Jane’s life was deeply connected to this controversial incident.
In this situation, Callow’s actions were primarily driven by self-interest, considering that he was seemingly the only one who could prevent Princess Susannah from a prolonged demise. Yet, it is also a distinctly human act, as personal emotions can cloud our judgment and lead us astray from what is morally right. These conflicting feelings are vividly portrayed in this episode, shedding light on a less frequently explored angle, and making the narrative more relatable by depicting Callow’s wife’s reactions.
Influences and Interpretations of “The National Anthem”
Black Mirror Is About More Than Spectacle
In this episode, Charlie Brooker and Annabelle Jones acknowledged that the reality show “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” served as inspiration. This series features celebrities who live in a jungle, undertaking extreme challenges to secure food rewards for their team. The program has garnered notoriety due to its daring eating trials, which historically have involved consuming body parts of various animals. However, “I’m a Celebrity” has been embroiled in numerous controversies, ranging from explicit language to an RSPCA complaint alleging serious concerns about animal welfare.
In simple terms, the first episode of “Black Mirror,” titled “The National Anthem,” humorously twists and satirizes the concept of unusual reality TV challenges, as it delves into themes of humiliation and society’s fascination with watching others suffer. As executive producer Annabelle Jones explains, this episode highlights how people will admire and applaud those who are willing to embarrass themselves for public amusement.
The National Anthem” is the Episode That Best Defines Black Mirror’s Premise
The Show Has Always Been About Human Vulnerability
It’s quite ironic and remarkable that the episode which encapsulates Black Mirror‘s primary theme the most is still “The National Anthem.” Initially, the series gained fame for its insightful social analyses of technology’s influence on people, but as time progressed, the ideas became increasingly outlandish. Although this isn’t necessarily a negative aspect, Netflix’s current six-episode structure, combined with frequent changes in tone, gives off an impression that each episode is self-contained and cinematic in nature, often using familiar genre tropes such as horror or crime thriller to convey its commentary or satire. At times, this method can make Black Mirror feel somewhat tonally inconsistent.
Tracing back its origins, one can easily follow “Black Mirror” all the way to its initial episode. While it’s common to categorize the series as an anti-technology show due to the negative effects of technology often portrayed, the primary focus is on human reactions towards the inhuman. In the episode “The National Anthem,” technology plays a crucial role – not only does the shocking live pig broadcast on TV captivate the world, but the viral impact of this manipulative event triggers the narrative’s unfolding.
Instead of centering around the technology itself or its potential negative impacts, this particular episode of “Black Mirror”, titled “The National Anthem”, explores how humans tend to repeat past mistakes by conforming to emerging systems. The technology is used sparingly in the background to emphasize the vulnerability it creates within human characters. In our modern world, many people accept being exposed for the sake of having a glimpse into others’ lives, even if that means enduring ongoing misery and injustice. The privilege of witnessing others’ suffering serves as a perverse reward.
Technology’s complexities have ensnared us all, stripping away numerous human capabilities until only self-destructive actions remain – much like the fate of Callow in the Black Mirror episode “The National Anthem.” We’re all caught in this digital dilemma, but no one is immune.
The National Anthem’s Legacy in the Black Mirror Universe
The Premiere Episode Set the Tone for the Rest of the Show
To put it simply, starting off with “The National Anthem” was a daring move when kick-starting the Black Mirror series. It has an exceptional rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes after being evaluated by 19 critics. The general consensus among them is that this episode serves as both a biting satire and a cautionary tale about technology misuse, making it an ideal introduction for viewers eager to explore the bizarre world portrayed in the series.
This particular episode significantly shaped the direction for the series ahead, demonstrating its ability to tackle any theme, even those that are grim or disturbing. More notably, “The National Anthem” introduced the socially critical aspect of Black Mirror, critiquing societal issues through a technological prism. Moreover, it showcased that in these stories, the antagonists aren’t always who viewers might anticipate. Characters like Callow and government agents pale in comparison to the broader society, who eagerly watched the violent spectacle as their daily entertainment.
Other Black Mirror Episodes with Clear Political Themes
The Show Consistently Tackles Politics On A Subtextual Level
Initially, “The National Anthem” on Black Mirror may have been the first to delve into political motifs, yet it wasn’t the only instance. The narrative opens with a woman who can’t recall her past or identity. As she steps outside, those around her display peculiar and even violent behaviors towards her. It transpires that this woman, named Victoria Skillane, was imprisoned in White Bear Justice Park for her involvement in a child’s murder. Although the political landscape isn’t explicitly stated, viewers can easily infer a dystopian government if justice has been transformed into a surreal television program.
In this season and episode 3, a man named Jamie Salter is seen posing provocative questions to politicians. His puppet, Waldo, unexpectedly gains popularity. When Waldo is nominated for a by-election seat, Jamie tries unsuccessfully to prevent people from voting for the fictional bear. As the episode concludes, it’s Jamie who finds himself without a home, while Waldo becomes a symbol of global politics.
The third season’s opening episode, titled “Nosedive,” strongly illustrates the excessive impact of social media devoid of diverse political viewpoints. While these episodes offer insightful commentary, they fail to elicit the intense emotional response provoked by “The National Anthem.
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2025-05-05 05:02