The seemingly never-ending “Twilight Zone” series (156 original episodes cranked out in a 5 year period) chiefly penned by WWII vet, Rod Serling, was characterized by kafkaesque scenes, hairpin plot turns, moral takeaways, and, of course, the underlying threat of Communism:

Now flash forward 50 years to 2014, where British humorist/screenwriter, Charlie Brooker's so-called, tragicomedy series "Black Mirror" is in its second of three “series”...and with only 6 episodes to date. And while the production quality has been elevated to that of film and the stage across the pond, the focus is no longer the red scare but the tech scare. The dark side of a life touched by technology reaches audiences in 45 minute episodes and proves not only more disturbing than ol' Rod could have ever imagined but manages to to tear relationships, families, and communities right on par with its socialist counterpart.

As Brooker once stated in a 2011 interview with the Guardian in regard to “Black Mirror's” evocative title:

"If technology is a drug — and it does feel like a drug — then what, precisely, are the side-effects? This area — between delight and discomfort — is where Black Mirror, my new drama series, is set. The "black mirror" of the title is the one you'll find on every wall, on every desk, in the palm of every hand: the cold, shiny screen of a TV, a monitor, a smartphone."

Have we finally and truly crossed over into the twilight zone?