From worst to best, the episodes from season 7 of ‘Black Mirror’ will be sure to leave your mind boggled
By BELLA PETERSON — arts@theaggie.org
The newest season of “Black Mirror” left its loyal audience stunned with a mixture of both negative and positive reactions. Some believe that this beloved show has lost its roots, while others stand by the fact that after over a decade of production, it still has some valuable stories to tell. Here are a couple of sentiments and thoughts compiled into a ranking (subject to interpretation, of course) of the newest season of “Black Mirror.”
- “Episode 4: Plaything”
“Plaything” is the spiritual successor of “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch,” following the protagonist, Cameron, who is described as an “eccentric loner.” The concept of the episode seemed interesting enough to show some potential, but as the episode came to an end, it didn’t stand as tall as its neighboring episodes of this season. Following similar themes as its predecessor was simply not enough to make this an interesting episode. With the removal of “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” from Netflix’s platform, it’s a sad thing to be left only with this remnant of what the original story was. It had potential, but potential isn’t enough when it comes to the possibilities that the “Black Mirror” universe can reach.
- “Episode 2: Bête Noire”
“Bête Noire” is completely original in its plot, with the episode’s format following the progression of a week with our protagonist, Maria. She begins to come face to face with her past, a woman named Verity who she used to bully. As the episode unfolds, the audience becomes just as confused as she is about what Verity’s intentions are. The episode is phenomenally structured, leading the viewer through twists and turns and giving absolutely no clue as to what will happen next. It isn’t until the last few minutes of this episode that its place in this ranking drops. Most endings in the “Black Mirror” series are supposed to make viewers feel powerless or despondent, but this ending simply felt too abrupt in comparison to the rest of the episode to allow for those feelings. Despite this, the episode still manages to be brilliant in its own right.
- “Episode 1: Common People”
“Common People” starts this newest season off with a depressing story of a couple struggling to live normal lives amid a tragedy that bestows itself upon them. Like most episodes of “Black Mirror,” it serves as a forewarning to its audience, with this installment being a commentary on healthcare and how easy it is for the average person to get taken advantage of. This episode was brutal and didn’t go easy with its ending — truthfully it’s only placed in this spot because the other episodes that ranked higher were just that hard-hitting — but it certainly proves itself to be the perfect first episode for this newest season of the show.
- “Episode 3: Hotel Reverie”
To kick off the top-three episodes of this season is, fittingly, the third episode of season 7. This was an episode that caused quite a stir with fans, some believing it was a cheap copy of one of the show’s most beloved episodes: “Black Mirror: San Junipero.” The episode follows actress Brandy Friday looking to find her spark in acting again. She takes up the unique gig of being transported into an old movie, where she’ll be acting in place of the role that was originally the romantic male lead. The episode’s pacing is wonderful and really allows the viewers to immerse themselves in this story. Funny at times and even tear-jerking at others, this episode really stood out amid the other episodes of this season. The episode is more than just a copy and paste version of “San Junipero.” It’s not perfect, but it’s heart-wrenching enough to leave an impact.
- “Episode 5: Eulogy”
“Eulogy” explores the possibility of being able to reenter photographs and relive moments from your past. The episode is deep and emotional, with material to offer for just about anybody. “Black Mirror” often shows the audience as a faulty protagonist, a tactic that effectively draws in viewers only to snap them out of it in the last couple of minutes of the episode. This episode isn’t as abrupt as the other times “Black Mirror” has used this trope; it still manages to leave you questioning just how reliable the main character of this episode really is. This emotional tale presents a major question about perspective, asking the viewer to look at something twice before making a snap judgement. Viewers are left with something to consider: Is it better to forget than to cherish? Overall it was a beautiful and thought-provoking episode that sits solidly at second place on this list.
- “Episode 6: USS Callister: Into Infinity”
At the top of the list is “USS Callister: Into Infinity.” This final episode of the season really lands an impact with its audience as it is the first episode to directly sequel a previous episode. It doesn’t just show you easter eggs of past episodes; it is a legitimate continuation of an episode from a past season. Seeing as the past season’s episode was also successful, it’s no surprise that this episode was able to cement its place at the top of this ranking. Surprisingly, it does not require viewers to have watched the first installment of this story before tuning into this one, although it may be the best way to enrich the watching experience. The episode itself gives you all the context you need to be just as invested as the fans who have watched the other episodes. The episode’s pacing never fails to keep the audience’s attention despite its length, and it rightfully deserves to be at the top of this ranking.
It’s understandable that there were mixed feelings about this new season of “Black Mirror.” However, fans might notice some gems they might’ve missed if they haven’t watched the entirety of the season. Despite the conflicting opinions regarding season 7 of “Black Mirror,” the show never fails to cultivate compelling narratives that leave viewers contemplating the conflicting outcomes that human nature and technology can create.
Written by: Bella Peterson — arts@theaggie.org
