Black Mirror (Season 5, Episode 3) "Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too"

• Synopsis

Rachel, a shy and socially awkward teenage girl, receives a robotic doll modeled after her favorite singer Ashley O, for her 15th birthday. The doll is named "Ashley Too" and it isn't just a normal doll, it is an interactive A.I. doll. Rachel begins treating Ashley Too as her friend, and begins confiding in it instead of trying to make friends with the kids in her school. Her older sister, Jack, sees this and begins to worry about her little sister's sanity. 

• Discussion

This episode was probably the most talked about of the three this season, and I can see why. Many people were more than vocal about Black Mirror casting Miley Cyrus as their leading actress in this episode than the actual episode itself. I have read quite a few rants, and sadly more fans were against it than for it. Like I've said before...I could see why. I honestly have nothing against Miley Cyrus, in fact I think she's great. I was never a fan of Hannah Montana but as a singer and overall spokesperson, I admire her unwavering honesty. She isn't afraid to speak her mind and her music is raw and vulnerable. You can choose not to like how she chooses to express herself of course, but you can't say she doesn't "keep it real." 

Anyways, aside from the "should they or should they have not" debate over the show's casting of such a famous star, I'd have to say that this episode fell a little short for me. I really like the behind the scenes look of the hush-hush side of child stars, and I believe it is important for the audience to see just how brutal Hollywood is. As a non-famous person, it is easy to look at a celebrity and envy them for their lifestyle. They are able to spend thousands of dollars on dinner and not have it break the bank,
they get sent free clothes from top brands as if they couldn't afford it otherwise, they get invited to the most extraordinary parties, and they have top of the line beauty team to ensure that they look flawless 24/7. It's hard not to envy such a glamorous carefree life while the majority of us are living paycheck to paycheck.

Still, the grass isn't always greener and if you really think about it, a lot of these child celebrities turn out so bad that it makes you kind of thankful for your "normal" childhood. Case in point: well...90% of the Disney Channel kids-Miley being one of them. They have manipulated by their managers at such a young age, they are overworked, they are the biggest victims of social media, and they have absolutely no privacy. Sometimes it makes you second guess if fame and fortune is all it is cracked up to be right? Anyways, enough feeling sorry for rich people and let's get back into the episode.

Since I have already dived into talking about Miley Cyrus, I'll continue talking about her character, Ashley O. Ashley O is the typical, bumble gum pop-star that was very popular back in the early to mid 2000s. She has the whole appeal down-the fun costumes, bright smile, and catchy songs that would have definitely sold millions of records. She appeals to young girls like Rachel whose lives are dull and bleak, and the highlight of their day is watching an interview with their favorite celebrity or waiting patience for a music video to premiere. To the average teenage girl, a pop star like Ashley O is a goddess. These fans are devoted to Ashley O, they support her, and they would truly do anything for her. It almost seems a bit cult like no? Yet, there are no shortage of stories about "crazy fans" that would kill for their favorite celebrity. Take Taylor Swift for instance-she has recently mentioned that she stopped tweeting where she is because there are people that break into her house and wait for her. There is such a fine line between admiration and devotion versus obsessiveness and madness.

Black Mirror is so good at showcasing what happens when people take even one step too far in the other direction, and that is what is happening in this episode. 

Ashley O's fans love her-she's selling records like crazy, she is on almost every talk show, and she has become so in demand that her management has decided to promote a "mini me" version of her, aka, "Ashley Too." Fans can't get enough of Ashley O, and now they can have her whenever they want. Yes, that is as creepy as it sounds...The technology behind creating Ashley Too is what makes this episode feel more like the rest of the Black Mirror episodes. It references back to episodes like "The Entire History of You," "San Junipero," "White Christmas, "USS Callister," and "Black Museum." If there are any that I have missed, please let me know-those are the ones that stood out to me. Despite the AI technology being used in all the episodes I have named, I wanted to focus on one in particular: "White Christmas." If you guys haven't checked out my review on "White Christmas" yet or you would like a refresher before continuing on, you can check it out here. 

One of the most disturbing scene in "White Christmas" for me, was Matt's "conditioning methods" of Greta's cookie. Greta's cookie is seen as a "non-living piece" of her mind, and Matt definitely treats the cookie that way. He does not care that the cookie looks like Greta, has feelings and thoughts, and is obviously upset by this entrapment. She does not want to be enslaved inside the "real" Greta's mind, and the thought of being stuck in there terrifies her. This is where that fine line gets blurred again-is it truly enslavement if the cookie isn't a person? Is it really unjust treatment if the cookie, technically, only exist in Greta's mind?

I couldn't help but see a parallel between Greta's cookie and Ashley O's cookie. I wonder if Ashley Too also had to be "conditioned" by someone like Matt to behave and act accordingly. 

There is a quite a bit to break down in this episode so I am just going to focus on our two main characters- Rachel and Ashley O, respectively. 

Every episode of Black Mirror focuses on the bleak future of humanity if we stay dependent on technology, but it also echoes a message about the current state of society itself. In this episode it channels in on the dangers of isolation and the pressure many teenagers feel to be someone that they are not. This may be a cliche message (some people argue that this entire episode is a cliche on its own), but it is an important one. The reason why so many people rely heavily on technology is because they are lonely, and they crave human interaction. Even a streamer that spends hours online isn't just playing games for fun, he/is is also chatting with other streamers as well as interacting with other users. It is like the more we progress when it comes to technology, the more we digress when it comes to simple human interactions. 

Loneliness: 

• Rachel has always been a shy and withdrawn girl, so after her mother's death she only goes deeper into her cave. She is very different from her sister Jack, and although her dad is a good man, she does not have much in common with him. Rachel doesn't even have a space to call her own, since she shares a room with her older sister. The room is split in half and there is a distinct difference between Rachel's side and Jack's side. The splitting of the room shows that despite being in such a confine space, the girls are still segregated. The bookcase splitting the room isn't much of a divider, and each girl can easily go over the divider to talk to one another but they choose not to. Rachel doesn't have much time to herself-she's in school all day, she gets a ride home with her sister and dad, and when she gets home she has to share a bedroom with Jack. Yet despite constantly being surrounded by people, she feels the most alone because she cannot connect with any of these people.
• Ashley also has the same problem but on a larger scale. Ashley is very popular and well known. She has millions of adoring fans, record deals waiting to be signed, and a stream of popular television shows just waiting to book her for interviews and special appearances. This isn't just a girl that is liked, this is a girl that the public is obsessed with. Yet like Rachel, she feels alone and misunderstood. We later find out that this whole "happy persona" was just an image that her Aunt Catherine who also doubles as her manager, and her record label had created to sell records. Yet this "Ashley O" persona is not who Ashley truly is, and the longer she pretends to be this person, the more depress she becomes.

Feeling "trapped" within yourself:

• Rachel is an interesting character because the episode introduces her to be this shy and awkward girl, but the more we get to know her, the more we realize that she isn't as introverted as she seems. Yes she is quiet and she doesn't have a lot of friends, but it doesn't mean that she she is weak or is afraid of people noticing her. There is a difference between being withdrawn and socially awkward versus being shy and hating people. Rachel just needed some to confide in and express herself with. She doesn't have any friends, her sister Jack is dismissive of her (despite caring for her deeply), and although her dad is loving he is also absentminded. I don't know whether her mom still being alive could have changed Rachel's whole world, but the fact that she is so lonely is the main reason why she comes off as meek. Yet once she started to confide in Ashley Too, I could see the change in her. Sure the doll had to convince her to join the school's talent show, but it was more of a gentle nudge than a manipulative tactic. Rachel isn't a bad dancer and it is obvious how happy she was when she was practicing. Ashley Too being there to give her words of encouragement was essential, but that desire to be more than just a wallflower was always in Rachel, she just needed someone (or in this case, something) to help her bring it out. I know it is important to not be a factor of your environment, and Rachel is a good example of this. Despite her mess up during the talent show, the fact that she was willing to perform in front of a bunch of people just showed how much drive she has in her. It was a different side of her that I didn't think she had and I'm sure she didn't even think she had in her. This side of Rachel, the one to be seen and heard, was dominant and with Ashley Too's help, Rachel was able to unlock this side of herself that will help her progress into a stronger person.

• Unlike Rachel, Ashley O has always felt trapped within herself. If we are going to go off the assumption that Ashley O's story is based on Miley Cyrus' story, then it is safe to say that she felt like a pawn during her time working with Disney. They wanted her to fit into this cookie cutter role of Hannah Montana on and off the screen and she couldn't take it. It is one thing for her to play her role, but it is another thing entirely to expect her to keep up with this persona after the cameras are done rolling. This doesn't just apply to Miley Cyrus, but also to many child celebrities. For Ashley O, her aunt and record label know what it takes to sell records and they are very good at it; yet, they are willing to sacrifice Ashley's happiness and well being for money. Sounds cruel? Well, that's Hollywood for you. Ashley was young when she first started and she trusted her Aunt Catherine, it wasn't until years later that she was in too deep did she realize that she has been manipulated and taken advantage of by the people she fully trusted. Despite feeling alone and distrustful of those around her, Ashley isn't naive and she is very observant. For instance, she knows that the pills her aunt gives her isn't to combat her dark "moods" but instead of confronting her, she pretends to take the pills. Ashley also hates all the songs that her record label makes her sing, but she performs them anyways and in secret, writes her own songs. She is rebelling in her own ways, but she knows that these little victories will not help her win the war. 

Teenage Depression is Real:

• I know Jack was against her dad buying Rachel the Ashley Too doll for many reasons, but I do feel like the doll helped Rachel more than it harmed her. It was hard to watch Rachel interact with Ashley Too as if she was a real person, not because I found it weird but more because I found it sad. Rachel is so withdrawn from the real world, that she has to confide in an AI doll. It seems as if Ashley Too is the only one who truly cares to understand Rachel by listening to her, something her sister and dad do not do. Her sister loves Rachel and is protective of her, but she is guarded and is still hurt by her mother's death. 

Now with celebrities becoming more candor with their experiences in Hollywood, those of us who are outside of "the circle" are able to gain inside insight on what really goes on behind closed doors. Many celebrities are just pawns and they often are used and discard at the wave of a hand, and this is the dark side of the rich and famous that we do not get to see. Glamour sells, and beautiful people with lavish lifestyles attracts the general public. That is why shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Real House Wives are so popular-it gives the average person a sneak peak into the lives of the elite 1%. When Ashley O performs on stage or when she is giving an interview, she exudes happiness and confidence. Her songs make you want to dance and smile, and this is why she has so many fans. There are millions of girls around the world like Rachel-lonely, sad, and impressionable. Give them someone to look up to like Ashley O-beautiful, confident, happy-and they will hold on tight. Ashley O is nothing but a ploy by her managing team because even she cannot live up to the image of herself that had been created without her consent. Her taking anti-depression pills and writing these deep songs showcase just how hollow she is inside. When Ashley Too unplugged Ashley O, she states that this is what the real Ashley would want. She would rather die than be used and manipulated, and that message is very real. These celebrities are not overdosing on drugs and alcohol because they want to have fun, they do it because they are looking for a way out...sometimes permanent. Whether this is done subconsciously or not is subjective but it is difficult to deny the common thread. 
• She has so much grief and sadness within her, that she does not have the capacity to help her sister. Her dad on the other hand, plays the role the provider which mean he does not have the capacity to also be the nurturer. If Rachel did not have Ashley Too, I wonder if her depression would have gotten worse and if anyone would have noticed. Not everyone who is lonely is depressed, but many of them are. Loneliness does not always equal depression, but it can be a big trigger and everyone needs an outlet where they dump out this sadness. For Jack, it is listening to her mom's favorite songs and creating her own and for Rachel, it is confiding in Ashley Too. Many people, especially those in the older generations, believe that kids cannot be depressed. After all, they are young and healthy with little to no responsibilities, so what do they have to be depressed about right? Yet when you watch an episode like this, it is hard to keep that mindset. It is difficult to tell whether Rachel's relationship with Ashley Too was so intricate because she believes that the doll is a representation of her favorite pop star or if she is so lonely she forgets that Ashley Too, despite being a very advanced AI, is still just that...a doll. Like I've mentioned, I understand why Rachel's attachment to the doll would worry Jack but I also believe that if she had friends and family members she could confide in, that she wouldn't rely to heavily on this doll. Ashley Too seems to help Rachel with her depression, but this relationship isn't stable. For instance, the dolls being recalled because they were malfunctioning. If Ashley Too is Rachel's only friend and her sole source of dependent happiness, what will happen once Ashley Too shuts down or no longer works? What will happen to Rachel then? So many teenagers are not happy, and this unhappiness manifests itself in many obscured ways. Some kids rely heavily on drugs and alcohol, others on their significant others, and most escape reality through video games and other online activities. The truth of the matter is, it is always great to  have an outlet where people feel they can unplug but it's crucial to not dependent on said outlet. In this entire episode, Rachel felt like a time bomb just waiting to go off and that more than her awkwardness was what made me feel the most uneasy. It kind of baffled me how her dad wasn't able to see through that but I do feel despite loving their children deeply, most parents do not see their children clearly. Luckily Jack is there and she is able to see the signs, but I do believe this is mainly because she is going through a period of depression herself as well.

• For Ashley, the signs of depression are very clear and she doesn't try to hide it. Notice I said Ashley and not her stage name Ashley O because if Ashley O is a performer, and from her upbeat dance songs to her purple wig, she shows no signs of unhappiness. Yet underneath it all, she is a very sad and lonely girl. She is forced to be someone she isn't, and she is surrounded by people who do not care for her and just use her. When she refuses to be a pawn anymore, her Aunt Catherine literally put her in a coma and she couldn't care less what happens to her. In fact she invented a hologram called "Ashley Eternal" just to show that she doesn't need Ashley anymore. 

The feeling of being replaceable or not worthy is one of the driving factors behind depression. I am not going to sit here and pretend as if I am an expert on what triggers depression, but it is difficult to watch this episode and not see the signs. What would have happened to Rachel if she hadn't gotten that Ashley Too doll from her dad? What would have happened to Jack if she didn't decide to be honest with Rachel? What would have happened to Ashley O if Rachel and Jack didn't help her? Despite having very different lives, these three girls ended up saving one another in more ways than one. 

Despite the very dark mood of this episode, it ends on a very bright note. Ashley and Jack form a band and are both loving the music that they are putting out. For Jack, music is her way of expressing herself, it is her outlet. For Ashley, she is finally able to sing about matters that are important to her and she is finally able to dress the way she wants. The two former Ashley O fans at the end of the episode may not be significant to some people, but they stood out to me. Not only are they girls who used to love Ashley O but now find both her music and image intolerable, but they also represent how when we are finally able to be ourselves we will lose some people in our lives. Ashley O couldn't care less about the fans she will lose because of her new path in life because she knows the majority of her fans like the fake persona her record label had created for her. Her new music and band might go downhill and she could lose it all and be one of the many forgotten celebrities, but I honestly don't think she cares. Even if the only gigs she and her band can book are dinky clubs located in sketchy areas, she would still be happy and that is a great message to take away. You will lose some people in your life once you start to change, and that is more than okay. 

All in all, I found Season 3 to be a bit underwhelming. There were only three episodes but none of them stood out to be amazing, although "Striking Vipers" almost hit the mark. I do wish the show would go back to the "vibe" they had in the first two seasons, and I do have faith that they will find their way back to being one of the best shows on Netflix. 

★ ★ ★/5