After the severely disappointing Season Six, viewers believed that “Black Mirror” was done for. It seemed like the well of the anthology series had dried up, and every clever observation that could be made about technology had already been made.
Despite all the negativity, the show was renewed for another season — and I could not be happier.
“Black Mirror” is a British-TV series started in 2011. Since its humble beginning, the show has been a collection of stories about the downsides of advancing technology. That being said, the episodes — or even seasons — can be watched in any order.
Season Seven features six new episodes, five being standalone stories, which the series has been famous for, while one serves as a sequel to a previous episode from season four.
Although my ranking for this latest season contains my “number 6,” I don’t believe that any of them was bad — at least not at the level as last season’s “Mazey Day,” which introduced a random werewolf into a series about technology.
The ranking below is in order of least favorite to favorite.
#6 – “Plaything”
A horror for “Sims 4” players, “Plaything” teases the idea of sentient code in a semi-spinoff of the interactive episode “Bandersnatch.”
The socially-inept game reviewer Cameron (Peter Capaldi) is invited to preview a new game by designer Colin Ritman (Will Poulter). This character is the only connection between this episode and “Bandersnatch,” as it takes place 10 years after Ritman’s mental breakdown.
Ritman proposes a game called “Thronglets” where the only goal is to take care of characters called Throngs. These creatures place their trust in Cameron to keep them safe and alive.
The episode takes place in two periods. In the past, where Cameron slowly starts to obsess over the health of the characters; and in the future, where he is arrested for murder.
While the episode was vague, boring, and left viewers with an ending open to interpretation, it is redeemed after the credits roll. A QR code pops up that takes viewers to the app store where they can actually play the “Thronglets” game.
The game follows the same storyline and premise as it does in the show, but with an extra psychological twist. You as a player can decide whether you choose peace and take care of the Throngs or massacre their entire population.
Similar to the aforementioned “Bandersnatch,” this episode puts the choices in the hands of the viewer through the accompanying game. The moral dilemma is spun onto you rather than a character, creating a much more impactful — and personal — episode.
#5 – “Eulogy”
“Music’s great for jogging the memory.”
Paul Giamatti shines in this short-but-sweet episode touching on subjects of regret and missed opportunities.
Giamatti’s character Phillip is notified of the passing of an old lover and is requested to add positive memories they shared together to her eulogy.
Utilizing a technology fittingly called “Eulogy,” Phillip can step inside Polaroid pictures to revisit these once-lost memories. The only issue is he cannot remember her face, since covering her up in all of his pictures following their messy breakup.
This episode is a strikingly impactful showcase of the five stages of grief. Where other episodes in the series focus on the technology, “Eulogy” is simply a backdrop for the emotional journey that Phillip takes.
While the writing and acting are both spot on, there are many more impactful episodes of the show. It was relatively short at 46 minutes, so it is still worth the watch.
#4 – “Bête Noire”
With a plot suspiciously similar to the indie-horror “Unfriended” (2014), “Bête Noire” explores ideas of power, manipulation and revenge.
Maria (Siena Kelly) is enjoying the popularity that comes along with being an executive at Ditta, a chocolate company, when an old high school classmate applies at her office.
When Verity Greene (Rose McEwen) gets the job almost instantly, Maria seems to be the only one to notice something off about her.
Verity was the class freak, subject to bullying at the hands of her classmates — especially Maria. To enact her revenge, Verity changes every person’s recollection of events: all, except Maria.
Sci-fi pairs fittingly with fantasy elements in “Bête Noire,” like chocolate to nougat.
This is one of the few instances in the series history where the ending saves the episode instead of breaking it. Despite the fact that this was the most frustrating of Season Seven to watch, Maria’s mental breakdown erupts into a finale that ties a satisfying bow over the whole 49-minute episode.
#3 – “Common People”
A depressing, but very possible, episode depicting the lengths companies will go to squeeze every last penny out of consumers.
Newlywed couple Amanda and Mike (Rashida Jones and Chris O’Dowd respectively) are thrown for a loop with the discovery of a brain tumor in Amanda’s brain, sending her into a permanent coma. A devastated Mike is then provided the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to bring her back.
“Rivermind,” a tech startup, allows for a copy to be made of the infected piece of brain and implanted back into the victim’s head. This comes at a small fee of $300 a month — to stay alive.
The irony of this episode comes from the fact that it was aired on the streaming service most notorious for jacking up prices: Netflix. Rivermind does the same, constantly raising prices for the most desperate of people willing to take desperate measures for their loved ones.
The darkest episode of the season was also one of the best. It examines the cruelty of capitalism and undying willingness of humans to overcome these obstacles.
#2 – “USS Callister – Into Infinity”
“Black Mirror” makes series history with this episode, as it is the first true sequel to a previous one. Without spoilers — since the original “USS Callister” is one of my favorite episodes — the original episode follows a fictional space crew full of coded versions of the coworkers created by Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons).
They work with the real life version of Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) — a member of the crew and new hire at Daly’s tech company “Callister” — to take revenge on their captor.
“USS Callister – Into Infinity” takes place only a few months after the first episode, where Nanette and her crew are exploring the greater Callister software. This is the crew’s first experience being online with other players.
For the crew, though, it isn’t just a game.
They are barely getting by stealing credits from other players. In the meantime, the real employees face backlash from the public for these username-less thieves ransacking players’ money and gear.
This movie-length episode carries the same charm of its predecessor, while adding an extra layer of comedy. “USS Callister – Into Infinity” contrasts the humorous back-and-forth between humans and code and the darker themes of being trapped in a digital world.
Video game YouTubers TommyInnit and DanTDM make a cameo in an action-packed chase scene through space, displaying the lighthearted nature of the sequel. “USS Callister – Into Infinity” plays a true homage to the absurdity of the original.
#1 – “Hotel Reverie”
A satire of movie remakes meets a bittersweet romance story: a clear choice of favorite.
Keyworth Pictures, a crumbling movie studio, reaches out to agent Kimmy (Awkwafina) to revive their brand. Her suggestion is a remake of their classic 1940s romance film entitled “Hotel Reverie,” casting a modern A-List celebrity to entice new viewers.
Issa Rae is the star of this episode, playing a character similar to her real self: a famous actor.
After playing sidekicks and love interests throughout her career, actor Brandy Friday (Rae) replaces the lead in a movie remake — despite the role originally being played by a man. This switch is done using a technology called Redream.
Brandy’s consciousness is implanted into a software full of AI actors from the original movie. These blocks of code are not supposed to know that they are simply copies of the original actors.
Despite this, the leading lady, Clara Ryce-Lechere — played by “The Crown” star Emma Corrin — gains self awareness. This begins a forbidden romance between the actresses while stuck inside the movie’s hotel set.
This episode was the second longest in the season. At one hour and 16 minutes, it could be considered a standalone movie. While most viewers believe that the plot doesn’t deserve the long runtime, I was entranced by the entire episode.
Corrin was specifically great, showing the cracks in her personality as she starts to gain human consciousness. Issa Rae’s performance remained relatively stagnant in contrast, but the writing makes up for this very slight flaw.
Overall, the episode perfectly mixed futuristic technology and a vintage feel that makes for a mind-bending viewing experience.