Unveiling the Dark Side of Mazey Day: Why It's the Most Chilling Black Mirror Episode Yet
Mazey Day disappoints as Black Mirror's worst episode yet, failing to deliver on its promised horror elements, relying on a cheap twist ending, and lacking a coherent message or effective satire The setting feels out of place, further detracting from the overall experience
Black Mirror season 6's "Mazey Day" is widely considered to be the weakest episode of the series. While the show has produced some captivating standalone stories throughout its six seasons, not all of its episodes have been successful. Some fail to fully engage the audience or lack a cohesive narrative. However, when Black Mirror hits its mark, it truly shines, and viewers eagerly anticipate each new season on Netflix.
The best episodes of the series can range from the brutally bleak tone of Black Mirror’s darkest episode, "Shut Up and Dance," to the triumphant and romantic atmosphere of its most beloved outing, "San Junipero." Unlike many anthologies, Black Mirror's exploration is not limited to darker narratives. With its focus on sci-fi tropes and futuristic technology, the show presents both an optimistic vision of the future and a bleaker alternative in different episodes. This unique approach prevents Black Mirror from becoming predictable, always delivering shocking and impactful endings. However, in season 6, one unexpected twist ending may have pushed this approach to an extreme.
6 Mazey Day Hid Its Horror Elements For Too Long
In the fourth episode of Black Mirror season 6, titled "Mazey Day," the narrative revolves around Bo, a paparazzo who contemplates leaving her ethically questionable profession after unintentionally leading to the suicide of a gay actor. However, Bo quickly abandons her initial goal and becomes obsessed with capturing a photograph of the elusive actor Mazey Day, who hasn't been seen in weeks. The potential value of such a photograph motivates Bo to search for Mazey, ultimately locating her in a rehab facility. Bo manages to free Mazey, but the situation takes a terrifying turn when Mazey transforms into a werewolf and goes on a rampage, brutally killing everyone in a diner. Mazey then tragically ends her own life, presenting Bo with the opportunity to obtain the highly coveted photo.
Originally, series creator and episode writer Charlie Brooker considered incorporating "Mazey Day" into the "Red Mirror" installment, similar to the following episode, season 6, episode 5, "Demon 79." This potential approach could have mitigated the abruptness and disorientation of the twist, but Brooker ultimately decided against it. Consequently, viewers who anticipated a typical Black Mirror episode were greatly disappointed by "Mazey Day." Not only does the episode fail to explore the unsettling intersection of new technology and human behavior, but the revelation of its twist is also delayed until the final moments. Consequently, it falls short as a horror narrative as well.
5 Mazey Day’s Twist Ending Is Cheating, Not Clever
Werewolves have long been a staple of horror and fantasy genres, while Black Mirror is primarily known as a science fiction satire series. However, in this particular episode, the revelation that it is actually a horror story rather than a science fiction narrative comes as a surprise at the end. This twist deprives viewers of the opportunity to speculate on the outcome, a characteristic that has been present in the best episodes of Black Mirror. What sets apart the twist endings in most of the show's episodes is the fact that viewers could potentially foresee them, yet it remains difficult to predict whether the protagonists will consistently make the most morally depraved choices imaginable. In the case of "Mazey Day," no amount of understanding Bo's character would have led viewers to anticipate Mazey being a werewolf.
4 Mazey Day’s Setting Doesn’t Work
The episode "Mazey Day" lacks the inclusion of futuristic technology, which is often a characteristic of Black Mirror episodes. While it is not set far enough in the past to be considered a period piece like "Beyond The Sea" or "Demon 79," its 2006 setting feels irrelevant. Although this setting represents a time just before smartphones allowed average citizens to become amateur paparazzi, the episode fails to offer any unique or original perspective on this aspect.
3 Mazey Day's Satire Doesn’t Have A Point
Ostensibly, "Mazey Day" explores the vulnerabilities of humanity rather than focusing on frightening technology, as per Brooker's comments on the different approach taken in season 6 of Black Mirror. However, this theme is not effectively conveyed. Bo exhibits great determination in searching for photos of Mazey Day, yet struggles to find alternative employment that doesn't involve intruding into the private lives of the affluent and famous. In the conclusion of "Mazey Day," Bo is rewarded with a groundbreaking scoop, but the episode does not suggest that this outcome is negative. Bo has undeniably proven the existence of werewolves, a profoundly significant piece of news that the world needs to be aware of. Consequently, it becomes difficult to ascertain whether Black Mirror is intentionally glorifying the paparazzi.
2 Mazey Day’s Horror Elements Are Out Of Place
The revelation of a werewolf in the episode "Mazey Day" of Black Mirror feels out of place considering the show's focus on technology. While the general premise is not inherently bad, this twist doesn't align with the overall tone and themes of Black Mirror. It could have been a clever addition in a different setting, but here it feels disconnected.
In "Mazey Day," the central character is a paparazzo who inadvertently caused a gay actor's suicide after exposing his sexual orientation. However, as the episode progresses, she uncovers the truth about a killer werewolf and the conspiracy to conceal its existence. This portrayal of Bo and the paparazzi as both innocent victims and courageous journalists diverges from Black Mirror's typical cynical view of the media. Furthermore, the premise itself is quite unconventional. While it is already unusual to see a series portraying the paparazzi sympathetically, explicitly stating that Bo exposed someone without their consent makes her one of the least likable protagonists in Black Mirror's history.
The frustration with "Mazey Day" in Black Mirror lies in its failure to provide a clear resolution regarding the paparazzi, celebrities, and society. Despite the fact that Mazey harbors a potentially deadly secret, justifying Bo's invasion of her privacy, this twist lacks the gripping impact that the series once had when critiquing the intrusion of technology corporations and governments into the lives of ordinary individuals. It serves as a stark reminder of how far Black Mirror has declined from its peak.
