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One of the themes of my commentary of the “White Bear” episode of Black Mirror was that it was a unique exploration of the nature of the body in relation to guilt or innocence in criminality.
“Be Right Back” is a unique exploration of that undefinable spark that makes us human.
Martha Powell (Hayley Atwell) and Ash Starmer (Domhnall Gleason) are a young couple who are moving into Ash’s Mother’s house in the country. The episode starts as they drive from a convenience story to the house. We see that Ash has some serious social media addiction problems (barely able to keep his attention on Martha whenever he decides that there is something that he needs to do on his smartphone).
Martha seems to have him in check and tells him multiple times when he needs to put his “box” away and when he can get his “box” again. Given this high level of paternalism, you might wonder at what forms the basis for this relationship.
Then they start talking about the Bee Gees and you find out that Ash is funny and kind of adorable (especially when he breaks into a rendition of “How Deep Is Your Love” — a question of particular relevence to the rest of the episode).
Once they arrive at the country house, you get even more context for his apparent struggle with remaining…
