"You Were An Enthusiastic Spectator"

       In Black Mirror's "White Bear", Victoria had relished upon the torture and pain of an innocent child. She was not merely satisfied by witnessing first-hand Jemima's homicide, but she had the audacity to record this unfathomable scene. Throughout the footage of Jemima or Victoria's memories shown in the show, the audience can presume this child had entrusted her kidnapper's every word and felt safe. But the million-dollar question is, " Does the punishment fit the crime?".

       Since the beginning of the episode, Victoria had no recollection of whom she was or what she had done. This personal hell was created to coincide with the final moments of Jemima's kidnapping then murder. She had only this stranger, Jem, who had gained her trust and whom she had followed blindly, even if in some parts of her torment she had second guessed Jem's choices.  What had intrigued me the most about this parallel torture, was that Victoria had asked why the masked tormentors were attacking them. In turn, Jem had explained that the "hunters" had started off by taking stuff that had not belonged to them, which then led to them not only doing whatever they wanted with objects they had stolen but with people. Thus, these characters were created to portray the arrogance and sadistic behavior Victoria and her fiance had done with Jemima. Despite what some may conclude of this punishment fitting the crime, most would agree that before this revelation of murder and blood shed upon Victoria's hands; we at some point of this episode had thought her torment of being videotaped by apathetic spectators and being chased by these masked killers was inhumane.

           Nevertheless, these actors and the Justice Park are gaining not only fame but fortune for partaking in this nightmare. I would not label this Justice Park as a theme park but rather a zoo, for even when the spectators were being read the guidelines to this park "Jem" had described Victoria as "an escaped lion". The spectators are encouraged to enjoy themselves and share what they encounter throughout the day for the more publicity they gain the more spectators are willing to pay to watch this punishment. Not only are adults able to enter this Justice Park but children are shown to also videotape and enjoy the pain endured by Victoria. There is a fine line between a justified sentence and a psychological never-ending torture for the sake of money and publicity. Victoria is guilty for her role in the death of Jemima but this punishment has led to the public and these actors to stooping down to her level of immorality.