Black Mirror takes on the cost of our obsessive love of True Crime
I finally got a chance to watch the latest season of Black Mirror and I couldn't make it past the second episode before I stayed up all night in fear, ruminating about crime stories.
I love Black Mirror. It's a show that does exactly what sci-fi sets out to do: create relatable stories that ask their viewers philosophical questions about the state of the world and systems we participate in. For Black Mirror, it's technology. ( it took me a while to realize Black Mirror was referring to a cracked smartphone 🤯). Each episode serves as a standalone story, delving into a dystopian or near-futuristic world where technology has unforeseen consequences.
The second episode of season 6, “Loch Henry,” is set in a small, picturesque, seemingly idyllic Scottish town where filmmaker, Davis, and his girlfriend and film partner, Pia, return to Davis’ hometown to shoot a documentary. At first, things look too perfect and tranquil. What is Davis hiding? What is this town hiding? We quickly find out that the haunting legacy of a serial killer has left the town of Loch Henry basically a ghost town. Pia is completely captivated by this story and convinces Davis to go on a fact-finding adventure and turn their now uninteresting documentary into a true crime documentary that will fascinate viewers across the country as many others have.
All of a sudden, the episode threw me into a thriller recalling moments of The Blair Witch Project (did you also think it was real when it first came out?). The episode ends with shocking and disturbing twists and turns that end with critical acclaim and a BAFTA-winning true crime documentary that Pia envisioned all along. But the payoff for Davis, personally, has changed. In a time when he’s supposed to be reveling in his success, he is haunted by the horror he had to live through to get there. He’s constantly reminded of the traumatic loss that becomes an afterthought to the desensitized viewers who end up consuming it.
This reminds me so much of the phenomena of True Crime. We don’t talk enough about how these are actually true stories that have impacted people all over the world.
And though murders continue to happen daily, not many of us have a first-hand experience of having lost someone to homicide or can even remotely put ourselves in their shoes. Davis’s Anniversary reaction to his trauma will come up again and again as it’s become ingrained in popular culture.
What is an Anniversary Reaction?
An anniversary reaction refers to the emotional and psychological responses that individuals may experience on or around the anniversary date of a significant and traumatic event in their lives. These reactions can be triggered by both positive and negative events, such as birthdays, holidays, or the date of a traumatic event itself. Anniversary reactions can have a profound impact on someone who has experienced trauma, and it's important to understand how they work and how they can affect a person's well-being.
How Anniversary Reactions Manifest
One key aspect of an anniversary reaction is the resurgence of intense emotions and memories associated with the traumatic event. This can manifest as feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, or even flashbacks to the traumatic incident. The person may find themselves reliving the event in their mind as if it's happening all over again. This can be incredibly distressing and disruptive to their daily life.
Anniversary reactions can also lead to physical symptoms, such as headaches, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite. The stress and anxiety associated with the anniversary can affect the person's overall health and well-being, making it difficult to function day to day and achieve goals.
Another important factor in the impact of anniversary reactions is the element of surprise. These reactions often catch individuals off guard, as they may not be consciously thinking about the traumatic event leading up to the anniversary. When you think about how extensive marketing is for films and TV shows, it’s incredibly haunting and destabilizing to walk past a huge ad with a serial killer on the cover who single-handedly determined the end of your loved one’s life.
How to Address an Anniversary Reaction
The impact of anniversary reactions can vary from person to person and may depend on the nature and severity of the trauma they experienced. For some, it may be a temporary and manageable increase in distress, while for others, it can lead to a significant deterioration in their mental and emotional state. In some cases, anniversary reactions can even contribute to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if they persist and are not effectively addressed.
Begin Trauma Therapy in New York, NY
It's crucial for individuals who have experienced trauma to recognize the possibility of anniversary reactions and to seek support and coping strategies. Trauma-focused therapy models such as Cognitive Processing Therapy can provide guidance on how to manage the intense emotions and memories that arise during these times. I can offer support when coping with these reactions and other past traumas. Start your therapy journey with Restority Space by following these simple steps:
Contact me to schedule a 15-minute phone call to see if we could be a good fit
Meet with me, a skilled trauma therapist for your first session
Learn to cope with trauma in a healthier way!
Other Services Offered with Restority Space
At Restority Space, I offer more than just trauma therapy for my clients. I support women who may need when it comes to their mental health. I’m happy to provide both online in both New York and New Jersey. This is why I offer Individual Therapy to help women cope with their anxiety, depression, unhealthy relationships, and any major life transitions. I also provide services for those struggling with a breakup. I’m also happy to provide Group Therapy to help women find a sense of belonging and for more support. My group services include a Therapy Group For New Mothers and a Therapy Group For Black Women. To learn more check out my blog and other resources!