Warning: This interview contains spoilers for theBlack Mirrorseason 5 episode Striking Vipers.
Two men enter a videogames combat arena.
But what happens next isnt what you expect.
Credit: Netflix
ANNABEL JONES:No.No, its a great line.
BROOKER:In a way, its the best declaration of undying love.
And it manages to top The National Anthem, where we had the prime minister with a pig.
This is Yahya with a polar bear….
Striking Vipers is a poignant and bittersweet relationship drama, but theres inherent humor to whats going on there.
Its an awkward situation theyre in, and a fantastical one.
So that line was kind of irresistible.
JONES:Its a flashback as well to the camaraderie of these two guys.
Theyre able to take it into something else.
So what was the inspiration for this tale?
Those games are incredibly hypersexualized.
Theyre like a sexualized Hulk.
Once again, it came out of two thoughts.
And then I remembered years ago in the 90s I used to playTekkenon the PlayStation a lot.
And my flatmates and I would play it all hours of the day and night.
Theres something weirdly primal about it.
Is he having a relationship with a woman when ultimately the person is his friend and a man?
So Anthony has a great sense of humor and was fascinated by it.
He immediately took it based on the script.
I think he plays very subtly.
Its brave for an actor when the state of their sexuality is undefined.
What is their relationship?
Theyre not having a homosexual relationship or are they?
Theres such a heady mix of things going on there.
Theres the camaraderie, the friendship and the longing for youthfulness, and also the sexuality.
Its all about fantasy fulfillment with your best friend.
Both gave this a real delicacy that other actors might have struggled with.
Ultimately, is this marriage really a satisfying one?BROOKER:I think its a pragmatically romantic ending.
Theres a lot of trust there.
So by the end, their relationship is a lot healthier because theyre discussing their wants and needs.
It works for them in the time we see it because theres an equality to it.
Thats obviously not a one-size-fits-all solution.What if she falls in love with the guy she meets in the bar?
And Yahyas characters existence is fairly lonely; hes clearly waiting for this one day a year.
So hes sort of in limbo too.
This is one part of a three-part interview.
Also read Brooker and Jones discussingSmithereensandRachel, Jack and Ashley, Too.
UPDATE:All 23Black Mirrorepisodes ranked(including season 5)
Related content:
