Black Mirror (S4E5)

 

Where and when does the scene take place in the first scene of this episode? What is depicted? How is it depicted?

 

It takes place in the countryside. It is a desolate landscape. There is nothing left but land. It is shot in black and white. The camera first shows the landscape as if we were inside the car and then from an outside point of view / a bird’s eye view, we follow the car on the road across the countryside.

 

 

 

Scene 2: from 00’45 to 01’50

 

What is happening inside the car?

 

Three people are inside the car. A woman is driving, a black man is sitting next to her and a younger man is sitting at the back. The woman wants the black man to unwrap some sweet for her. We understand this is the only food left. They go past an abandoned burnt car. Then they go past shelters that were used for pigs. Dead pigs are seen lying next to the shelters.

 

They have a discussion about pigs and their reputation. The woman teaches the word “snout” for “nose” to the young man.

 

 

 

Scene 3: 01’50 to 03’20

 

They arrive at a warehouse. What do they decide? What does it foreshadow about the place and why they are here?

 

They drive over rails and reach an seemingly abandoned warehouse. They want to go and have a look inside the warehouse but seem to be cautious. They need something which is inside to save another character they mention in their exchanges and who is dying. They agree to spend no more than 5 minutes.

 

 

 

Scene 4: 03’20 to 07’20

 

Inside and outside the warehouse. What happens and how is it shot?

 

While the young man tries to start the van that is parked outside, the other two enter the warehouse with torches and search for a precise slot: 95-DY42. The woman has the number written on her hand. In the meantime, the young man is still trying to decipher the code to hijack the van. The woman finally manages to spot slot 95-DY42. She is filmed in a high-angle shot to show how vulnerable she is at that moment. The man helps her bring a ladder so that they can reach the box they are looking for. It is the man who climbs the ladder and reaches for the box. As soon as he grabs the box, we discover what is lurking behind it: a robot, a four-legged robotic guard—a "dog". The dog shoots a shell that showers the man and the woman with shrapnel that contains trackers. The dog shoots the man to death.

 

 

 

Scene 5: from 07’20 to 8’20

 

How does the woman and the young man react? How does the scene end?

 

The woman flees / escapes without the box. She reaches to her car, and the young man follows in the van. The dog follows them and jumps onto the van.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale (trailer)

 

 

 

How does the trailer present the characters?

 

We see them in their function: June as a handmaid, the Commander, alone and with his peers, the police and the army dressed in black. The wife of the commander dressed in blue. Aunt Lydia, dressed in brown, controlling the handmaids and especially teaching them how to behave.

 

 

 

What does the voice over explain?

 

June’s voice explains how the Republic of Gilead was created: first the Congress was slaughtered / destroyed.  Then terrorists were blamed and the constitution was suspended.

 

 

 

“I was asleep before … now I’m awake”: what do we understand of June’s intention?

 

We understand that she will fight to bring things back to normal.

 

 

 

How do you analyse June’s new name?

 

Offred = Of Fred => she belongs to a man named Fred.

 

 

 

What do flashbacks bring to the trailer?

 

They show how life was like before the Republic of Gilead and how things evolved: people were demonstrating, women were fired from their jobs. June, her husband and their daughter tried to escape but they were caught. June was separated from her daughter and became a handmaid.

 

 

 

What is their new role in society now?

 

Handmaids are used as procreators. They serve the leaders and their sterile / barren wives. Ceremonies are organised.

 

 

 

What about those who do not obey?

 

They are sent to the colonies, to recycle toxic waste and they die there.

 

 

 

We then move to June’s place. What do we learn about her household?

 

There is an “eye” in her house, somebody who can help her: it’s Nick, the driver.

 

 

 

How is Gilead presented?

 

The Commander’s wife (dressed in blue) presents Gilead as an achievement. A close-up shot on a pregnant handmaid shows how successful it is.

 

The word “better” is emphasised in the discussion between the Commander and June. They don’t agree on its definition.

 

 

 

Aunt Lydia reminds June of the scriptures: “Blessed are the meek” (the humble / soft people). What does she reply? What action does it trigger?

 

She replies: “And blessed are those who suffer for the cause of righteousness”.

 

Aunt Lydia hits her.

 

 

 

What do we infer from this last shot?

Life for June in Gilead won’t be easy as she is a rebel and will risk her life to speak out and try to escape. But determination can be felt in her voice and in her attitude.