“Black Mirror” is an anthology series exploring a
twisted, high-tec multiverse where humanity’s greatest innovations and darkest
instincts collide. The show is known for the twists and how technology can
sometimes be pretty scary. Season 7 was just released on Netflix and I’m ranking
all six episodes. And this was a really strong season.
6. Hotel Reverie
Director: Haolu Wang
Starring: Issa Rae, Emma Corrin, Akwafina, Harriet Walter,
Elliot Barnes-Worrell, Enzo Cilento
Description: A high-tech, unusually immersive remake of a vintage
British film sends Hollywood A-list star Brandy Friday (Issa Rae) into another
dimension, where she must stick to the script if she ever wants to make it home.
Review: Using modern-day technology to recreate an old classic movie, and an
actress looking for her next big film. And of course things go completely
wrong. It’s a very creative idea, however the episode is way too long and did
not manage to keep my attention the entire time. Still a good episode, but my
least favorite of the season.
5. Plaything
Director: David Slade
Starring: Peter Capaldi, Will Poulter, Lewis Gribben, James Nelson-Joyce, Michelle
Austin
Description: In a near-future London, an eccentric murder suspect (Peter Capaldi) is
linked to an unusual video game from the 1990s – a game populated by cute,
evolving artificial lifeforms.
Review: During an interrogation, a man arrested for shoplifting, tells his story.
This is a sequel to the film “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” and again revolves
around a video game. “Plaything” is a very cynical take on technology and has
plenty to say about human nature. This feels more like an old-fashioned “Black
Mirror” episode. Where “Hotel Reverie” felt too long, “Plaything” could use a
few extra minutes. But I did love the ending though.
4. Běte Noire
Director: Toby Haynes
Starring: Siena Kelly, Rosy McEwen, Michael Workeye, Hannah Griffiths, Ben
Asheden, Amber Grappy,
Description: Confectionary whizz kid Maria (Siena Kelly) is unnerved when her former
schoolmate Verity (Rosy McEwen) joins the company she works at – because there’s
something altogether odd about Verity, something only Maria seems to notice.
Review: This episode has a great build-up, where we see how Maria is going
from the strongest asset in her company hitting rock bottom. We feel what she
feels, because we know she is telling the truth. But strange things seem to be
happening and there is no explanation for these events. She, and also the
audience, suspect that Verity has something to do with it. Because it all
started when she joined the company. The plot twists are well put together, but
the ending is way too abrupt.
3. Eulogy
Director: Christoper Barrett, Luke Taylor
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Patsy Ferran
Description: An isolated man (Paul Giamatti) is introduced to a groundbreaking system
that allow its users to literally step inside old photographs – stirring powerful
emotions in the process.
Review: Philip gets a call from a company called Eulogy, who collects memories
for funerals. With the help of a virtual guide, he thinks back to a woman who
was once very important to him. “Eulogy” is masterful. The idea is very
original and the plot is not far-fetched. The surprised in the story are
believable. This is also an episode that is mostly about the acting. And Paul
Giamatti is amazing, as a man is is confronted by his past.
2. USS Callister: Into
Infinity
Director: Toby Haynes
Starring: Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Billy Magnussen, Osy Ikhile, Milanka
Brooks, Jesse Plemons, Paul G. Raymond
Description: Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons) is dead, but now the crew of the USS
Callister – led by Captain Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) – are stranded in an
infinite virtual universe, fighting for survival against 30 million players.
Review: Season 7 had another sequel. “USS Callister” is still one of the most
popular episodes of “Black Mirror” and a fan favorite. And this sequel, “USS
Callister: Into Infinity”, continues where the original story ended. A deragned
programmer had stuffed clones of his colleagues into a computer game and these
clones must now survive in a giant online game. “USS Callister: Into Infinity” should
only be seen if you liked the first part and want to know how the story ends. I
loved this episode, and it still had some cool twists and turns. Not as good as
the original episode, which is also an all-time favorite of mine, but a worthy sequel.
1. Common People
Director: Ally Pankiw
Starring: Chris O’Dowd, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross
Description: When a medical emergency leaves schoolteacher Amanda (Rashida Jones)
fighting for her life, her desperate husband Mike (Chris O’Dowd) signs her up
for Rivermind, a high-tech system that will keep her alive.
Review: Without a doubt the best episode of season 7. When Mike decides to save
Amanda’s life by signing up with Rivermind, because it was literally the only
option to keep her alive, the couple become dependent on the healthcare system.
“Common People” is a sharp satire on the American health care system in which
making money is more important than someone’s actual health. The first episode
of the season and nothing beat it. It’s
also one of the best “Black Mirror” episodes ever.
What did you think of season 7 and which
episode was the stand-out for you?
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