Black Mirror season 7 is here, and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s thoughts on one of the best Netflix shows now that they’ve got six more episodes to explore. It may come as no surprise that it’s a real mixed bag.
With anthologies, disliking certain installments more than others is par for the course, but after watching all of season 7 I really am worried it’s ran out of ideas. Out of the six episodes, one is a sequel, another is set in the same universe as Bandersnatch, and another has similar narrative beats to San Junipero.
So only having three episodes with truly unique ideas is a bit concerning considering Black Mirror was known for having distinctly different stories, especially in its original Channel 4 era.
Yes, we often see Easter eggs hidden, which connect them like references to past episodes or the same news channel, but they’ve never felt completely repetitive until now.
In my Black Mirror season 7 episode ranking, I placed USS Callister: Into Infinity at the bottom because I’m frustrated it even exists. The original episode from season 4 was so wonderfully unique and had a bittersweet ending, and I would’ve been happy for it to just end there. Making a sequel just because the first episode is popular is frustrating, and they could’ve come up with something new.
But, as I said, it’s a mixed bag and that means there were episodes I enjoyed very much. My top two Black Mirror season 7 episodes are Common People and Hotel Reverie, because, in my opinion, they really go back to basics and look at what the show is most loved for: criticizing the misuse of tech and how it can really mess with people’s emotions, not to mention their physical and mental health.
Both of these episodes are also very relevant. Through Common People, Charlie Brooker explores what would happen if you could magically restore your sick partner through a revolutionary healthcare plan.
Don’t worry; it’s only a small monthly cost, and it’s one that Chris O’Dowd’s character decides to sign up for to save his beloved wife, played by Rashida Jones.
That’s all well and good until they start running intrusive ads through your partner and you can’t get rid of these until you give the company more money, in a cut-throat examination on our over reliance of subscription services and their multiple tiers and add-ons.
Yeah, this one really hurts, guys. That’s why it’s brilliant; it packs that emotional punch that reminds me of earlier episodes like Be Right Back in season 2.
Hotel Reverie is also timely as it focuses on our growing interest in AI, through a company that can revamp old Hollywood movies by uploading a modern day actor to spice things up for the streaming age. A controversial choice, of course, but an essential one for a struggling studio who can no longer profit of their struggling classic cinema library.
As well as opening up discussions around cinema, it taps into this idea that an AI character could become self aware. Issa Rae and Emma Corrin shine as two actresses from very different generations who meet inside this movie, forming a bond that goes beyond the pages of a pre-written script. I adored this one and I’ll no doubt revisit it soon.
When Black Mirror keeps things fresh and original, it’s a very thought-provoking watch. Even though I enjoyed the divisive Plaything episode more than some others, I can see people’s arguments that it felt rushed and the ending wasn’t as satisfying, and I think many of us did expect more from a Bandersnatch spin-off, especially with someone as big as Peter Capaldi at the helm.
My three-star rating does reflect how on the fence I feel about the series right now. I did like this season aside from USS Callister: Into Infinity‘s long, drawn out runtime, especially how emotionally driven it was, but I really don’t know where they’re going to go from here.
With Charlie Brooker telling The Hollywood Reporter he’s “in it for the long haul”, I’m concerned about what that’s going to look like. Sometimes, it’s good to quit while you’re ahead.
