The best written fantasy and science fiction works use unfamiliar contexts to comment on the social issues of today. The original Star Wars (1977) used an extraterrestrial setting to depict a resistance against a tyrannical empire, one which resonated with Vietnam-tangled American viewers. Blade Runner (1982) used a neon drenched and natureless metropolis to explore the dystopic extreme of the era’s growing corporate monopolies. And more recently, Black Mirror (2011) has garnered a large amount of popularity from depicting bleak futures as the result of modern technologies. The show has received a fair amount of commentary on its similarities to The Twilight Zone (1959), due to their similar subject matters and format. In this research paper, I intend to study the similarities and differences between Black Mirror and another similar show – The Outer Limits (1963).
I intend to refine my thesis and arguments as I do more research, but my current thesis is as follows: While both The Outer Limits and Black Mirror have similar formats as horror anthologies, they differ in narrative structure and visual styles. Similarly, their interrogation of cultural concerns differs in concepts addressed and the presence of moral judgements. I will begin by briefly describing both show’s usage of science fiction as a means of dissecting and exploring contemporary issues (while avoiding censors), through an anthology structure. I will also do a small amount of historical analysis to contextualize the concerns addressed by both shows, using our in-class reading for The Outer Limits. I may also consider addressing the hiding of insurgent ideologies in dominant ideologies, such as in the arguably feminist subtext of “The Bellero Shield.”
I also plan on watching more episodes from both shows. “O.B.I.T.” from The Outer Limits seems like a great example for comparison, due to its technological focus. “USS Callister” from Black Mirror is highly rated and features an extra-terrestrial setting, which will be useful for comparison with “The Bellero Shield.”
Potential sources:
Jeffrey Sconce, “The Outer Limits of Oblivion”
Spigel, “White Flight”
“The Outer Limits,” by Joanne Morreale. Wayne State University Press, 2022.
Maya Salam (The New York Times) “‘Black Mirror’ Showed Us a Future. Some of It Is Here Now.”