Charlie Brooker’s Emotional Breakdown: Black Mirror S7 Episode Moves All to Tears

Charlie Brooker, the mastermind behind Black Mirror, hinted that the upcoming seventh season of this popular science fiction anthology showcases a greater emphasis on emotional narratives compared to previous seasons. Among these stories, it seems that one titled “Eulogy” might stand out for its profound emotional impact.

In the fifth episode of the season, featuring Paul Giamatti and Patsy Ferran, appears to have resonated deeply with the show’s creators. In fact, Steven Moffat has disclosed that this episode moved not only him, but also everyone involved in its production, causing tears at various instances.

Brooker praised two outstanding performances by Patsy Ferran and Paul Giamatti, both of whom he’s long admired. He found Giamatti to be an endearing personality and noted that offscreen, he is just as charming as he appears on it. Interestingly, Giamatti is not only a fan of the show but also a big enthusiast of science fiction in general.

However, the story revolves around an individual named Philip. At first, he’s found to be rather secluded and harboring a significant amount of bitterness. As events unfold, we learn that this is due in part to the heartache he experienced as a young man.

The narrative centers around a high-tech device, which serves as a key element. This device enables him to insert old photos and compose a tribute speech for someone who has sadly departed.

Instead of keeping his past locked up in an attic as if it were merely a forgotten box, he’s now compelled to examine it with new eyes.

Brooker further commented that the tale might not fulfill expectations as much as viewers may anticipate, describing it as intensely emotional and an extraordinary performance showcase for Paul and Patsy, who are the sole individuals with dialogue or visible movement within the episode.

He added: “The concept evolved through multiple stages, and initially, it bore a resemblance to A Christmas Carol, explaining the character named Carol in the episode. However, our intention was to emphasize the technological aspect, making him function like a detective as he struggles to recall her face, which he had erased from his memory.

I’m unsure about the response, as delving into early emotional scenes can sometimes be a bit risky – remember Be Right Back from long ago? That made me quite anxious. It was sincere, open, and tender yet exposed, and I believe this story shares that vulnerability too. We’ve all felt moved to tears by it at some point.

From Ferran’s perspective, she herself refers to this incident as a “human tale of possible remorse and sorrow,” indicating that viewers might want to brace themselves for a ride filled with intense emotions.

If they prefer a somewhat ominous tone, Brooker hints that this season primarily returns to its roots and, indeed, includes some unsettling material.

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2025-04-01 15:34