Unraveling the Mysteries of 'Hated in the Nation': A Mind-Blowing Black Mirror Finale
A gripping near-future Nordic neo-noir, Black Mirror's 'Hated in the Nation' explores the consequences of a deadly social media game Discover the shocking ending that will leave you questioning the power of technology
The quality of episodes in Black Mirror varies significantly. While some episodes excel in the science fiction genre, others suffer from poor execution of their ideas. Various sources have ranked the episodes within each season, leading to both positive and negative evaluations. A noteworthy example is "Hated in the Nation," which occupies a controversial position in most polls.
With a running time that surpasses any other episode in Black Mirror, "Hated in the Nation" stands as the longest installment to date. Its director, James Hawes, is renowned in the British TV industry and also helmed the fifth season's "Smithereens." Drawing inspiration from Nordic noir literature and shows like The Killing, this episode exhibits a distinct style.
What is Black Mirror's 'Hated in the Nation' about?
On January 2nd, 2019, a Twitter user with the handle @maplecocaine coined the famous phrase: "Every day on Twitter, there is a protagonist. The objective is to never be that protagonist." This statement, widely regarded as the most concise portrayal of social media, highlights the phenomenon of one person attracting a deluge of online hate, overshadowing all other news for a day. It was three years after the release of the episode "Hated in the Nation," which delves into the same concept. The script for this episode was influenced by John Ronson's renowned book, So You've Been Publically Shamed, and the negative attention he received for mentioning presidential assassins alongside George W. Bush. "Hated in the Nation" follows two detectives who investigate the murder of multiple Twitter protagonists.
The narrative of "Hated in the Nation" unfolds within a public tribunal. London Detective Chief Inspector Karin Parke is summoned to explain her involvement in a murder case. The victim, Jo Powers, a controversial figure known for attacking an environmental activist who self-immolated during a protest, became the target of public hatred. Parke, accompanied by rookie detective Blue Coulson, endeavors to uncover Powers' killer. As they investigate, they trace the origin of the murder to a school teacher who sent Powers an expletive-filled cake and stumble upon the popular hashtag #DeathTo. Soon after, a rapper, also subjected to intense hatred for insulting a young fan, meets a similar fate when a peculiar metal object pierces his eye while he's in an MRI machine.
How does 'Hated in the Nation' end?
An autonomous drone insect, known as an ADI, has been implanted into the rapper's skull. These ADIs were released by the government as a replacement for the diminishing bee population, which plays a crucial role in pollinating plants. During their investigation, the detectives interview engineer Rasmus Sjoberg, who has discovered an ADI exhibiting peculiar behavior. The National Crime Agency of England assigns Shaun Li to assist with the case. Coulson possesses the necessary technical expertise to trace the origins of the #DeathTo movement, a widespread network of bots that promotes targeting and killing the individual who receives the most mentions. The detectives eventually locate the latest key figure in the investigation, and despite their efforts to protect her, the drones claim yet another victim.
Coulson determines that the ADI identifies their targets by utilizing facial recognition software. Sjoberg reluctantly admits that the ADIs were created with the purpose of surveilling the entire population simultaneously, thus exposing the nation to potential attacks and rendering privacy obsolete. The public becomes aware of the ADI killings, triggering a heated debate surrounding the DeathTo hashtag. Viewers discover their ability to manipulate the targeted individuals. The ethical responsibility of using this power for the greater good becomes a prominent topic of discussion. A Chancellor emerges as the next #DeathTo symbol. Parke encounters Tess Wallander, a former employee of the technology company that developed the ADIs. She discloses her past suicide attempt following a wave of online hatred.
Garrett Scholes emerged as the rescuer, identified through an online manifesto accompanied by a geotagged image. Detectives were led to his hideout and swiftly conducted a raid, uncovering a collection of hacking equipment. Coulson, in charge of the investigation, delved into Scholes' computer and stumbled upon a file containing the personal details of all DeathTo hashtag users. Despite Li's order to shut down the system, it unexpectedly activated, resulting in a tragic outcome. The ADIs remorselessly eliminated all 387,036 individuals associated with the hashtag. Scholes, utilizing the power of the internet, sought to mete out deadly punishment upon those fostering online hatred. Parke provides testimony suggesting that Coulson took his own life. Following the tribunal, Parke receives a text message from Coulson, in which he reveals that he has managed to track down Scholes.
While "Hated in the Nation" may not rank among the most favored episodes of Black Mirror, it undeniably possesses a solid premise and reasonable execution. Its extended duration may not be entirely warranted, and its subject matter might align with expectations, but notable ideas still shine through. The importance of Scholes within the narrative far surpasses the resolution itself. The clever twist, while intriguing, leaves ample room for further exploration. "Hated in the Nation" effectively compels viewers to question their personal involvement in online hate and the consequential ripple effects it generates.
