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Ranked: The Black Mirror Season 7 Episodes That Will Haunt You the Most

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Speaking as a longtime critic of Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror – a series I’ve felt has often been more about creating emotional turmoil than providing insightful commentary on technology – I must admit that the seventh season is quite impressive compared to my expectations. After a disappointing fifth season with no standout episodes, the show seems to be improving since it started leaning towards camp. Season 6 was a step up from its predecessor and moved away from the usual grim, ironic, dystopian science fiction that Black Mirror is known for, offering intriguing stories instead.

In Netflix’s Season 7 of Black Mirror, we’re back to exploring futuristic technologies that challenge our perceptions. However, it still maintains the unique blend of tones and genres from the previous season. It serves as a comfort for viewers who are overwhelmed by current AI concerns, while also offering more nuanced perspectives on technological advancements. The underlying themes revolve around memory and history, examining how our past can impact the future. The dominant emotion is nostalgia. From a follow-up to fan favorite “USS Callister” to an intriguing portrayal of AI in Hollywood that might be the best episode since Season 4’s standout, there are many highlights to look forward to. Even the less impactful episodes have their merits, but for those with limited patience for the show, here’s a ranking of the seventh season from worst to best, along with mini-reviews to guide your viewing experience.

6. Episode 4, “Plaything”

In a blend of old and new cyberpunk stories, “Plaything” kicks off in 2034 as a store owner reports a man with unruly hair (Peter Capaldi’s character Cameron) for attempted theft from his shop. It is revealed that this same Cameron has a connection to a cold case murder from four decades ago. Flashback scenes depict Cameron, played by Lewis Gribben, in the 1990s as a video game journalist. He encounters a genius but troubled creator (Will Poulter’s Colin) and is introduced to a program called Thronglets. This software, as described by Colin, has the power to enhance humans by improving their abilities. However, these aren’t just simple digital pets like Tamagotchis. While under the influence of LSD, Cameron discovers he can comprehend the melodic noises they produce, which allows him to create an environment that enables them to pursue their utopian objectives.

The concept is intriguing, centered on Brooker’s undeniable pessimism regarding our ability as humans to collaborate. The character of Cameron, played by Capaldi, is wise, enigmatic, and surprisingly calm, providing a rich foundation for each plot development. Poulter’s brief yet chilling portrayal adds to the mystery. However, the thronglets, symbolizing societal unity, are disappointingly shallow, undermining the episode’s deeper message. Consequently, the ending, intended to be shocking, feels more like a quick, flippant resolution. Instead, for a thought-provoking exploration of technology, gaming, community, and individual intellect, consider Halt and Catch Fire, the acclaimed AMC series that chronicled a group of flawed innovators navigating the personal computer boom of the 1980s and the spread of the internet in the ’90s.

5. Episode 5, “Eulogy”

In a subtle yet refined manner, the film “Eulogy” portrays Paul Giamatti reprising his familiar role as the solitary, sarcastic, and intellectually superior character, a persona he’s mastered in films like ‘The Holdovers’, ‘Sideways’, and ‘American Splendor’. Here, Giamatti’s character, Philip, is tasked with sharing memories of a deceased ex-girlfriend, Carol, for an interactive memorial during her funeral. A kit containing a wearable device with an AI guide (Patsy Ferran) arrives via drone to help him relive their past together. The pair were bohemian, pre-smartphone rebels residing in a Brooklyn squat before their separation.

The task isn’t simple for Philip, as he defaced every photo of Carol following their breakup. Despite the passage of time, Philip harbors resentment towards her for allegedly ruining his life. However, revisiting his keepsakes hints that he might bear a significant portion of the responsibility for the misfortunes that ended their relationship.

It’s challenging to think of another actor who would be more fitting than Giamatti for this part; he skillfully portrays the melancholy and solitude beneath Philip’s gruff exterior, as well as his self-pitying perspective on life that led to his unhappiness. In “Eulogy,” there are hints of A Christmas Carol (the name of Philip’s deceased beloved seems intentional), but I feel that Brooker and co-writer Ella Road could have drawn more humor, liveliness, and wisdom from this reference to make the somber episode less heavy and give it more forward momentum.

4. Episode 2, “Bête Noire”

In this methodical psychological suspense, the character Maria (Siena Kelly) is ascending in a food innovation corporation. Her life takes a turn when an old high school companion, Verity (Rosy McEwen), becomes part of the team. Unlike before, they weren’t friends; Maria was well-liked, while Verity was more of a computer whiz. However, since Verity’s arrival, Maria has been experiencing memory lapses, which grow more severe and impactful over time.

Bête Noire” could be considered a contemporary reinterpretation of the sci-fi classic “Gaslight,” though it lacks the complexity and emotional weight of its original counterpart. If it leaves any lasting impression, it will likely be as a cautionary tale against bullying rather than a sophisticated tech-satire puzzle. The narrative seems to drag at times; there’s excessive exposition between when viewers might typically deduce what’s happening and the climactic showdown. However, the climax is quite enjoyable once it arrives. Moreover, the performances of the young British actors, who are relatively unknown in the U.S., are captivating enough to pique my interest in their previous work. McEwen bears a striking resemblance to Nicole Kidman during her early ’90s “To Die For” phase, not only physically but also in her quiet intensity; interestingly, she is set to portray a younger version of Kidman’s character in an upcoming Amazon series.

3. Episode 6, “USS Callister: Into Infinity”

During the day, the shy software developer Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons) was the brain behind the popular MMO game “Infinity,” but his business partner James Walton (Jimmi Simpson) would claim credit for it and pressure him to work on updates at an unreasonable pace. However, when night fell, Robert would escape into a personalized version of “Infinity” modeled after a favorite sci-fi TV show, where he ruled as the all-powerful commander over a team of clones of his colleagues, including himself. Unfortunately for him, one day he accidentally uploaded Cristin Milioti’s character, Nanette Cole, who managed to free the USS Callister from his computer and release it into the online world of “Infinity.” This successful rebellion resulted in Robert’s untimely demise in reality.

As a diehard cinema enthusiast, let me share my take on the plot of “USS Callister,” an exceptional episode from Black Mirror’s fourth season that cleverly blended nostalgic sci-fi TV elements while critiquing toxic male online behavior. The seventh season concluded with a follow-up, albeit less focused, that elevated Nanette to captain. However, the game world, inhabited by 30 million players, is causing trouble. “Ever since we were confined within Daly’s computer, we faced just one sociopath,” Nanette explains. “Now, it seems like an entire universe teems with them.” To survive, the crew has been forced to confront gamers and steal the in-game credits. Meanwhile, in reality, a journalist is closing in on Robert’s unlawful DNA cloning activities, causing Walton immense worry. The narrative twists come thick and fast, some more effective than others. By the end of this 90-minute episode, my head was spinning with an overload of ideas, but the witty humor of this mini-series kept me entertained. Despite being a delight to see the cast back together again, “Into Infinity” offers more than just nostalgic fan service.

2. Episode 1, “Common People”

In its finest moments, Black Mirror explores how technological advancements could reshape our romantic connections, such as the blissful afterlife of “San Junipero” or the memory-haunted world of “The Entire History of You.” The premiere of Season 7, “Common People,” may not reach those heights, but it’s a strong throwback featuring Rashida Jones and Chris O’Dowd as a loving couple. She’s a teacher; he’s a metalworker. They’re struggling financially, saving up for another pregnancy after experiencing at least one miscarriage. However, things take a turn when Jones’ character, Amanda, collapses in class. At the hospital, Mike (O’Dowd) discovers that his comatose wife has an inoperable brain tumor according to conventional medicine. Fortunately, an experimental biotech product called Rivermind can save her. The surgery is free, but there’s a catch: Rivermind operates as a subscription service with a monthly fee that might strain their budget. Additionally, Amanda will need to sleep an extra hour or two each day to give the servers some rest. Mike consents. After all, isn’t $300 a month a reasonable cost for saving the life of your beloved?

Initially, it was clear that the $300 price tag wouldn’t be the final cost, mirroring our current subscription culture where upselling is common. Amanda found herself bombarded with ads from Rivermind, disrupting her life and jeopardizing her job. The only solution to silence these ads was to upgrade from Rivermind Common to Rivermind Plus, a move reminiscent of Netflix’s tiered services. Charlie Brooker, now creating tech satire for a global entertainment giant, appears intent on stirring controversy, even if he denies it was his explicit intention (see also: Season 6’s streaming satire “Joan Is Awful”). The real-world parallels of “Common People” go beyond the surface. They encompass a healthcare system divided by class, survival being marketed as luxury, and scientific advancements exacerbating inequality—all reflected in the chilling metaphor that is Rivermind. Jones and O’Dowd skillfully blend tender moments with dark humor, while Ellis excels at portraying cold corporate politeness. However, I must dock a few points for the absence of a needle drop, given the episode’s title references Britpop legends Pulp’s 1995 anthem “Common People.

1. Episode 3, “Hotel Reverie”

Modern streaming platforms (such as Netflix) seldom acquire movies produced more than several decades ago. Finding prominent roles for women and ethnic minorities, even if they’re top-tier actors, can prove challenging. The advent of AI could potentially revolutionize cinema in ways that may erode its human essence. An episode of ‘Black Mirror’, foreseeing such escalating issues within the film industry, was only a matter of time. Remarkably, instead of delivering the satirical fury one might anticipate from a show whose debut tackled bestiality as a disturbing political allegory, this episode seamlessly integrates these entertainment-industry predicaments into a captivating full-length feature that carries the elegance, romance, and wistfulness of timeless silver-screen melodramas.

1950s heritage studio Keyworth Studios is struggling when its leader Harriet Walter encounters a proposal for an AI tool named Redream. In partnership with the company’s representative Awkwafina, they decide to employ this technology to swiftly and economically remake Keyworth’s Casablanca-esque hit Hotel Reverie with a modern star. As Ryan Reynolds and Gosling decline the offer, Brandy Friday (Issa Rae), a well-known actress dissatisfied with roles as “noble victim” or “sexual sidekick,” seizes the opportunity to take on the original male lead role. However, she is unaware of just how accurately that role will be mirrored. Redream connects Brandy’s consciousness, similar to The Matrix, to a digital replica of the movie. Her co-stars are AI versions of the characters, designed to mimic the film’s original performances as long as Brandy adheres to the script. (It’s advisable not to ponder too much about the specifics of this process.) Yet an unexpected reaction from her character’s romantic interest (Emma Corrin) causes turmoil on the project. Sprinkled with humorous elements (Brandy is advised that dissolves might make her feel queasy) and tinged with dark undertones, “Hotel Reverie” carries a message of hope and profundity by underscoring the inability to separate an artwork from its inherently human essence.

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2025-04-10 13:06

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