| "The Waldo Moment" | |
|---|---|
| Black Mirror episode | |
 The candidates standing for election. From left to right: Labour Candidate Gwendolyn Harris (Chloe Pirrie); Liberal Democrat candidate Conor Simpson (James Lance); Conservative candidate Liam Monroe (Tobias Menzies); animated blue bear Waldo; Waldo operator Jamie (Daniel Rigby); producer Tamsin (Christina Chong). | |
| Episode no. | Series 2 Episode 3 |
| Directed by | Bryn Higgins |
| Written by | Charlie Brooker |
| Original air date | 25 February 2013 |
| Running time | 44 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Waldo Moment" is the third episode in the second series of the British science fiction anthology television series Black Mirror. It was written by series creator and showrunner Charlie Brooker and directed by Bryn Higgins, and first aired on Channel 4 on 25 February 2013. The episode originated in an idea for Nathan Barley, an earlier TV show by Brooker and Chris Morris.
The episode tells the story of Jamie Salter (Daniel Rigby), an unhappy comedian who plays a blue animated bear called Waldo in a satirical television programme. After a politician he interviewed—Liam Monroe (Tobias Menzies)—enters a by-election to become member of parliament, Waldo stands as a candidate. Meanwhile, Jamie and another candidate, Gwendolyn Harris (Chloe Pirrie), develop feelings for each other. Waldo's popularity continues to rise, but Jamie, whose life is torn between his career and his role, becomes increasingly discontented with the role he is playing.
The episode is in contrast to other Black Mirror episodes with its contemporary setting; it explores public distrust of politicians. Initially based in part on the politician and future British prime minister Boris Johnson, the character of Waldo was widely compared to business magnate Donald Trump following his successful 2016 campaign to become President of the United States. The episode was considered by critics to be very poor in comparison to other Black Mirror episodes, with criticisms made of its reliance on tropes and its ending. The characters of Waldo and Jamie received mixed reception.