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.”
3 replies on ““Aspiration Degenerates:” The interrogation of contemporary issues in The Outer Limits and Black Mirror.”
This essay seems really interesting and seems like it has a lot of potential for very socially relevant arguments. I have not actually seen Black Mirror, I think comparing it to The Outer Limits will be very fruitful because both shows attempt to do the same kind of work in terms of exploring cultural anxieties. I would say that it might be helpful to focus in just a couple cultural anxieties in order to have a manageable scope for the length of this essay. I think being quite in depth about a smaller number of things will be better than being less in depth about more things. It could be interesting to choose two or three anxieties, such as domesticity as you mentioned or government control, and compare how both shows deal with each topic. Although cultural concerns have certainly shifted throughout the time between the two shows, there are most likely similar ones you could find and I think focusing on the same cultural anxieties with each show will make for a more impactful comparison.
This is a great comparison! I think focusing on two episodes (“The Bellero Shield” and “USS Callister”) is a smart choice–focusing on additional episodes might be too much to grapple with in a 5-7 page paper. I also think those two episodes make for a really compelling argument for reasons you listed. You could take it even further by clarifying what comparing these specific episodes helps reveal about the two series overall. Black Mirror deals with a huge range of contemporay social issues, while The Outer Limits might be more focused on Cold War–era anxieties.Highlighting this difference could show how each series reflects the concerns of its time and why these episodes are particularly effective for analyzing how each show deals with themes like technology, control, and societal anxieties.
I think this is a great comparison to make, both shows definitely tackle the same general subject material. I like that you plan to do some historical contextualizing because think it might be interesting to look at how each show reflects the fears of their time. Black Mirror I know has had a lot of episodes on social media and AI which reflects our current world, while as you point out the Bellero Shield is a reflections of some of the Cold War anxieties of the time. It could also be interesting to view if the shows have any similar cinematic techniques to portray the anxieties. Depending on what you want to discuss Spiegel’s “White Flight” paper also applies to The Outer Limits as another class reading option.