The Grouchy Editor

Black Mirror, Season 7

Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker, sadly, seems to read his own reviews and respond to the critics who praise certain episodes.

“San Junipero,” a season-three entry about two lesbians with a heartwarming ending, was hailed by reviewers in 2016 and so, season seven has another episode, “Hotel Reverie,” about two lesbians with a heartwarming ending.

“USS Callister” from season four delighted Trekkies and so, this season we get a sequel, “USS Callister: Into Infinity.”

What we don’t get anymore is originality, like we did when Black Mirror was a small British show in seasons one and two. Before Netflix entered the picture.

My grades for the six new episodes:

“Common People” — dark, depressing, timely, and thought-provoking. Just like the good old days. Grade: B

“Bete Noir” — great start to this one, but a silly ending. Grade: B-

“Hotel Reverie” — too long, and too obvious. It checks the “wokeness” boxes, though. Grade: C

“Plaything” — so-so episode, I think. I’ve already forgotten most of it. Grade: C

“Eulogy” — the best new episode, thanks largely to the ever-dependable Paul Giamatti. Grade: B+

“USS Callister: Into Infinity” — for die-hard Star Trek fans and computer-game nerds only. I grew so bored with the convoluted story and cartoon characters that I had to pause and take breaks. Beam me the hell out, Scotty. Grade: D

When Netflix took control of this formerly great series beginning with season three in 2016, it was the start of a long, slow decline.

Black Mirror is still a watchable show. The premises are intriguing, the acting usually fine, and Netflix does spend money on the productions. But the storytelling thrill is long gone.

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Trump vs. the Courts

The left saw no problem when millions of aliens crossed into our country illegally.

But now they expect each of 10-20 million illegal aliens to receive “due process” hearings? That will take a hundred years, and the left knows it.

If the Supreme Court doesn’t stop the madness, Trump should just ignore all of these radical-left court rulings.

If it was continually stymied by the courts, that’s what the left would do.

© 2010-2025 grouchyeditor.com (text only)

Awwww … Bill and Donald are bonding. Does this mean there’s hope for the rest of us?

OK, that’s enough brotherly love. Time for …

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… Dumping on Dems

I’m from Minnesota, where we are used to second-place finishes. I’m referring to the Vikings, who finished second a record four times in Super Bowls. I’m talking politicians, where two Democrat politicians, Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale, took dumps in presidential elections.

But nothing is as embarrassing as this clown Tim Walz, who is governor of our misbegotten state:

By the way, Minnesota’s state bird is the loon. What does that tell you?

More Dumping 

We used to run an “Asshole of the Week” posting. I’m thinking the arrogant East Coast judges pictured below qualify as “Assholes of the Year.” At least so far.

(Yes, I realize there are more, but I’m too lazy to find pictures of them all.)

© 2010-2025 grouchyeditor.com (text only)

Lots of glee from the left, and outrage from the right, about no-name federal judges blocking President Trump’s executive orders.

Seems to me that Trump should just ignore these agenda-driven judges. After all, isn’t that what Biden did — or tried to do — with student-loan forgiveness and tenants trying to stiff their landlords?

Speaking of jurisprudence, methinks it’s ridiculous, at this point, to believe that conservatives have a 6-3 advantage in the Supreme Court. John Roberts has sided with his liberal colleagues enough times for that estimate to be a squishy 5-4 advantage. At best.

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Most people only casually follow politics. But everyone watches movies. If you want to understand much of Biden’s term in office, I suggest you watch Being There. Or read the book.

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I think the best place to get balanced news reports (from print media) is RealClearPolitics. It alternates links to left-leaning articles with links to right-leaning stories.

These days, I lean right. Here are two good right-leaning stories from the past week, one from Victor Davis Hanson and the other from Karol Markowicz.

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I haven’t watched the video pictured above. I have no interest in nightlife in Stockholm.

But for some inexplicable reason, I want to watch this video. Can’t imagine why.

© 2010-2025 grouchyeditor.com (text only)