Protagonist or Antagonist?

In the episode “White Bear”, Victoria wakes up with no clear definition of who she is or why she’s here. When she wakes up she is surrounded with pictures of a little girl, having no indication of who she is as well.  She is even in more shock when no ones comes to her pleas – instead they are more focused on recording her on their phones rather then helping her. This part of the episode could allude to today’s society and how we simply ignore bystanders who are in trouble. We are more focused on recording the incident rather than helping them because we do not want to risk our own safety. There is a huge plot twist at the end when it is revealed that Victoria (along with her boyfriend) has been involved in the murder of a little girl named Jemima Sykes. Although Victoria did not participate in the physical attacks she did record Jemima while her boyfriend was torturing her. He committed suicide before his trial so now she is charged with having to endure the same punishment everyday. Each day her memories gets erased and she must endure the same helplessness as the little girl had.

This episode sparked a lot of feelings and emotions in me. Part of me sympathizes with her because of the events that she has to go through each and everyday. It is traumatizing and almost utterly ridiculous. However, because her memories are erased each night I find this punishment inhumane and impractical. She won’t be able to truly understand the little girl’s perspective of helplessness if her memories are only going to be wiped. She doesn’t know that the punishment will be for eternity so there truly is no point in it. On the other hand, I do sympathize with the Justice Park workers. In all honesty I see Victoria as an antagonist more than a protagonist. It upsets me that Victoria simply filmed the little girl while she was being tortured instead of retaliating and helping her. It’s so revolting that one can’t help but to justify the punishment she has to go through. I think that was the whole point of this episode. The audience member has the choice to decide whether or not Victoria deserved the punishment and who the real villain/antagonist truly is – Victoria or the Justice Park workers?

However, I feel like after the sixth or seventh day of her punishment the Justice Park no longer has the intentions to “punish her”; at this point it is simply for amusement and satisfaction which is what makes the punishment so cruel. It all became just a theatrical show/amusement park to them. This is why people from all over the world come here to pay and participate. I am not entirely against the concept/idea of torture. I do think one deserves it depending on the crime and punishment. However, they should have just did it once to Victoria and not wipe her memories. Only then can she fully understand the feeling of “helplessness” and “pain” that the little girl had felt.