The loneliness of the serial viewer: Notes on some characteristics of current spectatorial practices

Abstract

This article gathers certain reflections on new ways of spectatoriality produced under the context of series’ watching on computers and other screen techonologies, that differ from television. These are understood as complex practices that affect and are affected by supports and production. Taking Bandersnatch, an episode from the series Black Mirror where the spectator is expected to take decisions to build their own story, as a departure point, we analyze firstly the blurry relation between the diegetic and extradiegetic universe. Secondly, we endeavor to explain how the spectator relates to universo by using gestures, physical contact with the screen and they show certain videogame player’s characteristics. Finally, it is noted that these kind of audiovisual products need a lonely spectator and this is a characteristic of new spectatorial practices, that problematize the presence of an other in the interaction between the spectator and the communicational product.