The Netflix anthology series Black Mirror is Twilight Zone for the digital age, delivering unpredictable stories that offer insightful commentaries on both the real and digital worlds. At its worst (and Black Mirror is rarely ever “bad” in the way that, say, Madame Web was bad), the show sometimes feels a bit half-baked, as if creator/writer Charlie Brooker couldn’t quite figure out how to explore a clever idea. But at its best, the series offers some of the most stunning and thought-provoking stories ever told on television.
Season 7, which drops today, feels like the show operating close to its peak, with a series of clever ideas that are (more often than not) perfectly punctuated. Here's a spoiler-free breakdown of what to expect and what we thought of all six episodes of the new season.
Episode 1: "Common People"
Season 7 begins with a devastating episode that is set in the United States (for a very good reason). Rashida Jones and Chris O’Dowd star as a married couple forced to use advanced technology in the wake of a medical emergency.
Common People is about the nightmare that would ensue if treating health issues was like having a subscription to a streaming service. At times, this premise inspires moments of humor. But ultimately, it's a powerful and brutal piece of social commentary.
Episode 2: "Bete Noire"
Imagine you're at work, minding your own business, and suddenly an old schoolmate shows up to your office, apparently intent on messing with your mind. Such is the premise of "Bete Noire," an episode with a wildly unpredictable ending involving a particularly extreme case of gaslighting and revenge.
Episode 3: "Hotel Reverie"
Issa Rae plays a Hollywood starlet in search of more meaningful material. She gets it, in the form of a remake of an old classic that employs some mind-bending technology.
Although the premise of this episode is interesting, Rae feels miscast and the film her character is starring in feels too absurd to be taken seriously. Although there are plenty of interesting ideas in "Hotel Reverie," the episode needed a stronger lead performance in order to succeed.
Episode 4: "Plaything"
Bandersnatch fans rejoice. "Plaything" is a sort-of sequel to the interactive film that revisits the themes of video games, human nature, psychedelic drugs, insanity, and how all these things interact. Director David Slade and star Peter Capaldi deliver some truly knock-out moments in an episode that might be polarizing but is simply too fascinating to forget.
Episode 5: "Eulogy"
"Eulogy" features an incredible lead performance by Paul Giamatti, who is arguably one of the most gifted actors alive. The episode shares some themes with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and deconstructs the narratives people tend to form in their heads about past relationships. The episode builds towards a lovely climax that doesn't quite deliver the intended emotional wallop but nonetheless pulls at the heartstrings.
Episode 6: "USS Callister: Into Infinity"
This follow-up to "USS Callister" (which is widely regarded as one of the all-time greatest Black Mirror episodes) offers a welcome tonal shift from the rest of Season 7. It's a funny, action-packed installment that might not quite live up to the quality of its predecessor, but is nonetheless a worthwhile addition to the story. The entire cast, especially Cristin Milioti and Jimmi Simpson, shines.
To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and Twitter account, sign up for our exclusive newsletter and check out our YouTube channel.