Black Mirror Season 2 Episode 3 – The Waldo Moment | Vocabulary
Black Mirror Season 2 Episode 3, we follow the story of a struggling comedian who provides the voice for a beloved cartoon character named Waldo. Unexpectedly, he gets embroiled in the political realm when television executives propose that Waldo should enter the race for a public office.
Links for Black Mirror
All Black Mirror Season 2 Vocabulary Lists
Vocabulary List for Black Mirror Season 2 Episode 3 Part 1
CEFR B1 and above potentially unknown vocabulary:
- MP: Member of Parliament. Explanation: An elected representative in the legislative body of a country.
- Monologue: Explanation: A long speech or performance by a single person, usually presenting their thoughts or opinions on a particular subject.
- Autocue: Explanation: A device that displays scripted text to assist a speaker or performer in delivering lines without memorization.
- Scientology: Explanation: A religious system based on the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, which has faced controversy and criticism.
- By-election: Explanation: A special election held to fill a single vacancy in a legislative body, usually occurring between regular elections.
- Groomer: Explanation: In this context, it refers to someone who prepares or grooms someone else, often with a negative connotation implying inappropriate behavior.
- Disgrace: Explanation: A state of loss of reputation or honor due to shameful or morally wrong behavior.
- Paedophile: Explanation: An adult who is sexually attracted to prepubescent children.
- Feeble: Explanation: Lacking strength or effectiveness; weak or inadequate.
- VT: Explanation: In television production, VT stands for “videotape” or “video tape,” referring to pre-recorded segments that are played during a live broadcast.
- Run VT: Explanation: A directive to play a pre-recorded video segment during a television show.
- Nosh: Explanation: To eat or have a meal, often used informally.
- Ditto: Explanation: Used to express agreement or to say that a statement applies to oneself as well.
- Breakthrough: Explanation: A significant development or achievement that represents a success or advancement.
- Pilot: Explanation: A test episode or initial installment of a potential television series to gauge its viability.
- Stormin’ Norman: Explanation: A colloquial expression meaning exceptionally good or impressive, likely derived from the nickname of General Norman Schwarzkopf during the Gulf War.
- Live action: Explanation: Refers to filming real actors and physical objects rather than using animation or other special effects.
- Twats: Explanation: A vulgar slang term for foolish or annoying people.
- Realistically: Explanation: In a practical or reasonable manner; considering actual circumstances.
- Budget: Explanation: The amount of money allocated for a specific purpose, such as funding a project or show.
- Animation: Explanation: The technique of creating moving images through a sequence of drawings, models, or computer-generated graphics.
- Crap crusader: Explanation: A derogatory term used to mock a person or character who is perceived as ineffective or unimpressive.
Please note that these explanations are given without providing specific spoilers or mentioning character names, as per your request.
Vocabulary List for Black Mirror Season 2 Episode 3 Part 2
Potentially unknown vocabulary (CEFR B1 and above):
- Think tanking (noun): The act of engaging in intensive research, brainstorming, and analysis of a particular issue or topic by a group of experts or intellectuals.
- Meet and greet (noun): A social event or session where a person, often a celebrity or public figure, interacts with and greets members of the public in a friendly and informal manner.
- Snub (verb): To intentionally ignore, dismiss, or reject someone in a rude or slighting manner.
- Throbbing (adjective): A strong pulsating sensation, often used figuratively to describe an intense feeling or emotion.
- Sketch show (noun): A television program or performance that consists of a series of short comedic scenes or sketches.
- Midterm (noun): A mid-point or intermediate stage in a political term, often used to refer to a by-election or election held in the middle of a term.
- Walk-on (noun, informal): A minor or unimportant role in a play, movie, or television show, typically without any lines or significant impact on the plot.
- Exposure (noun): The state of being presented to the public or gaining attention, often in the context of media coverage or public appearances.
- Bollocksed (adjective, British slang): Messed up, ruined, or in a state of confusion or disarray.
Please note that the level of vocabulary difficulty can vary from person to person, so some of these words might be familiar to some individuals while being unknown to others. Additionally, context plays a crucial role in understanding these terms, so it’s possible that a reader may infer the meanings correctly based on the context of the script.
Vocabulary List for Black Mirror Season 2 Episode 3 Part 3
CEFR B1 and above potentially unknown vocabulary:
- Patronise: To treat someone with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority.
Explanation: The term is used when someone speaks or behaves towards another person in a way that makes them feel belittled or treated as if they are less intelligent or knowledgeable. - Mutinous: Rebellious or insubordinate; showing a refusal to obey authority.
Explanation: Mutinous describes a situation where a group of people, often in a subordinate position, openly resist or rebel against authority or established rules. - Debase: To reduce the quality or value of something; to lower in character or dignity.
Explanation: When something is debased, it means it has been degraded or made less valuable, often in a moral or ethical sense. - Ad hominem: A Latin term meaning “against the person”; attacking an opponent’s character or personal traits rather than focusing on the issues or arguments at hand.
Explanation: Ad hominem is a logical fallacy where an argument is discredited by attacking the person making the argument rather than addressing the substance of the argument itself. - Front: A false appearance or persona adopted to hide one’s true feelings or intentions.
Explanation: When someone puts on a front, they are pretending to be a certain way or have specific feelings while concealing their true emotions or motives. - Sly: Cunning or deceitful; acting in a way that is secret or not openly acknowledged.
Explanation: Sly refers to someone who behaves in a clever, secretive, or underhanded manner, often trying to achieve their goals by trickery or deception. - Attitude with new hair: A figurative expression used to mock someone’s attempt at changing or modernizing themselves while retaining the same underlying personality or attitudes.
Explanation: In this context, it is a creative way of describing someone as still being the same person, despite trying to present themselves differently. - Ad hominem nonsense: Refers to baseless personal attacks on someone’s character rather than engaging in substantive arguments.
Explanation: The phrase indicates that the speaker views certain remarks as irrelevant and merely meant to insult or distract from the main discussion. - Bubble: Refers to a figurative social or economic environment that is isolated from the realities and concerns of the wider world.
Explanation: In this context, it suggests that certain politicians or individuals are disconnected from the everyday struggles and concerns of ordinary people, living in a privileged or sheltered environment. - Showreel: A compilation of clips or highlights showcasing a person’s talents, skills, or achievements, often used for presentation or job applications, especially in the entertainment industry.
Explanation: The term is commonly used in the context of actors, musicians, or other performers to demonstrate their abilities to potential employers or audiences.
Vocabulary List for Black Mirror Season 2 Episode 3 Part 4
CEFR B1 and above potentially unknown vocabulary in the script:
- Phenomenon: Something that is impressive or extraordinary, often attracting a lot of attention and interest.
: Waldo’s sudden popularity and widespread attention made him a phenomenon in the political landscape. - Vapidity: The state of being dull, uninteresting, or lacking in intelligence or thoughtfulness.
: Despite accusations of vapidity, Waldo’s clash in the video garnered immense attention online. - Consensus: A general agreement or opinion among a group of people.
: Jamie and Tams were invited for a ten-minute one-to-one interview with Phillip Crane on the show “Consensus.” - Pitbull: Slang term referring to someone or something that is aggressive and forceful, often used to describe a fierce and determined interviewer.
: They were asked to participate in an interview with Phillip Crane, known as Pitbull Crane due to his aggressive interviewing style. - Knackered: Slang term meaning extremely tired or exhausted.
: The world being “knackered” suggests it is in a state of severe fatigue and weariness. - Astounding: Surprisingly impressive or remarkable.
: The speaker mentions having astounding theories about young people caring about Waldo. - Articulate: Expressing oneself clearly and coherently, with well-chosen words.
: Jamie feels embarrassed about not being articulate during the video clash. - Realer: A colloquial way of saying “more real.”
: Waldo, despite being a fictional character, is seen as realer than the other politicians by the speaker. - Embarrassing: Causing feelings of awkwardness, self-consciousness, or shame.
: The speaker acknowledges that the video clash was embarrassing and not funny. - Equation: In this context, it means “plan” or “consideration.”
: The speaker talks about “fucking the politicians out of the equation” to create a different form of democracy. - Thumbs up, thumbs down: An expression of approval or disapproval, respectively.
: The speaker suggests using a voting system with thumbs up and thumbs down symbols to make decisions. - Disenfranchised: People who feel deprived of their rights, especially the right to vote or participate in society.
: Waldo is portrayed as a mascot for protest voters and the disenfranchised. - Neutralizing: Making something ineffective or reducing its impact.
: The interviewer questions whether Waldo is neutralizing effective dissent by encouraging people not to care. - Glorified: Elevated or promoted to a higher status, often in an exaggerated or undeserved way.
: The speaker refers to Phillip Crane as a glorified Punch And Judy man, using the term to belittle him.
Please note that the provided explanations do not include any specific character names or plot details, focusing solely on the definition of the selected words and phrases.
Vocabulary List for Black Mirror Season 2 Episode 3 Part 5
Unknown vocabulary (CEFR B1 and above) and their explanations:
- Construct: In this context, “construct” refers to something that is artificially created or put together. It could be a concept, character, or idea that is designed and crafted for a specific purpose.
- Nihilist: A nihilist is someone who believes in nihilism, which is the rejection of traditional values, morals, and beliefs, often leading to a sense of meaninglessness or purposelessness in life.
- Debunk: To debunk means to expose the falseness or exaggeration of a claim, belief, or idea. It involves providing evidence or arguments that disprove or challenge the validity of something.
- Zinger: A zinger is a clever, sharp, and witty remark or comment, often used in conversations, debates, or public speeches to make a strong point or provoke a reaction.
- Disenfranchised: When someone is disenfranchised, it means they feel excluded or deprived of the rights and privileges enjoyed by others in society, particularly in the political context, where they might feel marginalized or underrepresented.
- Nihilism: Nihilism is a philosophical belief or worldview that denies the existence of inherent meaning or value in life. Nihilists often view life as devoid of objective purpose or significance.
- Bollocks: This is a British slang term that means “nonsense” or “rubbish.” It is used to express disbelief, disapproval, or rejection of something.
- Prick: In this context, “prick” is a derogatory slang term used to describe someone who is unpleasant, annoying, or foolish.
- Catchphrases: Catchphrases are memorable phrases or expressions that become associated with a particular character, product, or public figure. They are often used for branding and marketing purposes.
- Status quo: The status quo refers to the existing state of affairs or the current situation in society. It represents the way things are currently and is often used to describe a conservative approach that maintains the present state without significant changes.
- Returning officer: The returning officer is an official responsible for overseeing the electoral process and announcing the results of an election.
- Duly elected: “Duly elected” means someone has been officially and legally chosen or elected for a particular position or office, following the established electoral procedures.
Please note that some of the words in the script may be used figuratively or in a colloquial manner, which can add to the humor or tone of the conversation. The explanations provided here aim to capture their meanings within the context of the script.
0 Comments