Essential Black Mirror Episodes to Rewatch Before Season 7

The acclaimed series “Black Mirror” is coming back for Season 7 on Netflix. This season will consist of six episodes, at least two of them being full-length. The specific storylines are still under wraps, but we’ve gained some insight with the first trailer and photos released for “Black Mirror” Season 7. One significant detail that stands out is the first sequel in the series so far: a continuation of the Season 4 episode “USS Callister.” Additionally, characters from the interactive movie “Bandersnatch” are set to reappear for another tale, potentially resolving some plot threads from the 2018 “choose your own adventure” film.

Charlie Brooker, the creator, earlier mentioned to Netflix that viewers of the series will notice the crew from a specific spaceship returning in one of our episodes, marking the first time we’ve done a sequel for ‘Black Mirror’. Typically, I conclude each episode by killing off all the characters, but this time, some of them will survive. It’s a sign of my personal growth.” He also hinted at an “impressively talented cast”, including Awkwafina, Peter Capaldi, Paul Giamatti, Emma Corrin, Cristin Milioti, Issa Rae, and several other recognizable faces.

In addition to popular motifs, there were some references to previous episodes scattered throughout. This gives viewers ample opportunity to rewatch Black Mirror before its comeback. It’s an excellent chance for a long-weekend marathon, especially if you want to delve into Bandersnatch multiple times to uncover all the different narrative paths.

Scroll down for the episodes you’ll want to prioritize to prepare for season 7.

USS Callister

According to Brooker’s confirmation, there will be a sequel to the exceptional season 4 episode titled “Infinity.” In this episode, Jesse Plemon portrays Robert Daly, the CTO of Callister Inc., and CEO James Walton, with Daly creating sentient clones of his colleagues in the multiplayer game “Infinity.” Initially, the story follows Robert’s disdain for Walton and misuse of power within the virtual world, but it later focuses on Nanette Cole (played by Milioti), a new hire whose clone, along with her fellow crewmates on the virtual ship, leads a rebellion against the game.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself on an intense emotional journey that made me question the intentions of its characters and delve into the grittier aspects of a narrative that could’ve been straight out of an ’80s teen comedy. However, this film isn’t about laughter; it’s a thought-provoking exploration of free will, the consciousness of our creations, and the harsh reality that even when we’re mistreated, our toxic traits remain harmful.

Bandersnatch

As a passionate cinephile, I eagerly awaited the arrival of the interactive “Black Mirror” movie on Netflix in December 2018. This was one of the rare instances where the streaming service successfully delved into creating interactive content. The narrative revolves around a young programmer named Stefon, who’s working on a “choose your own adventure” game based on the fictional book “Bandersnatch.”

This isn’t just an ordinary journey; it’s a mind-bending odyssey that could lead Stefon to uncover his father’s secret experiments on him, encounter the original author of “Bandersnatch,” commit multiple murders, or even glimpse into a future where his daughter is adapting “Bandersnatch” as an interactive film. It’s a captivating tale that keeps you guessing and engaging right until the end!

Actors Will Poulter and Asim Chaudhry are coming back in Season 7 of Black Mirror, reprising their roles as Colin Ritman and Mohan Thakur. This suggests that some aspects from the Bandersnatch episode might carry over into the new season. However, it remains unclear if this will lead to a continuation of the film or not. Based on the trailer, it appears we’ll be exploring video game development once more, with a focus on mental health issues as well.

Hang the DJ

In Black Mirror, technology often serves as a means to delve into our fantasies, revisit our past, and predict our future. We’ll soon dive into an intriguing episode, but there are other captivating instances like Season 4’s “Hang the DJ.” Characters Frank and Amy utilize a novel dating device called Coach, which claims a staggering 99.8% success rate in helping individuals find their lifelong partner. These relationships can be fleeting, lasting mere minutes or hours, but some endure for years until they eventually find their soulmate.

In a surprising turn of events, this episode becomes intensely emotional as Georgina Campbell and Joe Cole deliver powerful performances. The exploration of human-technology integration appears to be a significant theme in Season 7, making this episode potentially crucial for setting the tone.

Arkangel

In a manner similar to “Hang the DJ,” this episode centers around people utilizing technology to address life’s challenges that were once faced alone. The series “Arkangel” delves into the realm of parenthood and the privacy concerns in our tech-dominated world. A device called Arkangel, implanted in a mother named Marie (Rosemarie DeWitt), allows her to monitor her daughter’s activities, health data, and visual experiences. This gives Marie insight into everything her daughter sees, potentially leading to excessive control as the girl matures and asserts her desire for more freedom and privacy. As mother and daughter clash over adolescence, their relationship deteriorates.

San Junipero

Much like season 5’s “Striking Vipers,” this timeless gem explores themes of commercial technology, virtual worlds, and digital longevity. This particular episode is hard to overlook due to its powerful emotional impact and optimistic resolution. It distinguishes itself from the series by offering an installment that doesn’t conclude on a tragic note.

The more somber conclusion of ‘Vipers’ gives it an edge over ‘San Junipero’, making it a strong contender for the upcoming season. However, ‘San Junipero’ is equally essential viewing and definitely worth investing your time.

White Christmas

2014’s special finale of “Black Mirror” featured Jon Hamm as Matt, a former instructor in the field of “cookies,” who engages in conversation with Joe following their professional and personal downfalls. Hamm’s character was implicated in a secretive dark web group that exploited women through eye implants designed for seduction, leading to a tragic murder-suicide involving one of the group members. Rafe Spall portrays Joe, who finds himself at the cabin after his wife cut off communication with him via their Z-Eyes implants during an argument over a scheduled abortion. The stories are compelling and this episode serves as a poignant exploration of social ostracism, mirroring contemporary concepts like “cancel culture.

Be Right Back

In the premiere of Season 2, Hayley Atwell and Domhnall Gleeson take center stage in a series exploring a heartrending tale of a couple divided by a car accident, who subsequently rely on artificial intelligence due to their profound grief. Atwell portrays Martha, a woman grieving for her lost boyfriend Ash (Gleeson), who employs an online service that scours and compiles Ash’s social media footprint to generate an AI version of him, with whom she can communicate.

Topics explore the commercialization of personal recollections, how our digital trails shape our legacies once we’ve departed from existence, and the perils of attempting to address human issues via technology. These concepts are rich and complex, particularly for those who have personally grappled with loss.

The Entire History of You

In Toby Kebbell’s portrayal of Liam and Jodie Whittaker’s Ffion, we see a strained relationship caused by a violation of trust. This tension intensifies with the presence of a device called “grain,” an implant that enables individuals to rewind their memories as if they were recording devices or project them onto a screen similar to a PowerPoint presentation.

It’s already tough managing relationships, but technology sometimes makes it even more complex. Features like remembering past events or making others share their memories are like a “bad apple” that can ultimately cause significant harm.

Playtest

Given that “USS Callister” and characters from “Bandersnatch” have made their comeback, you might want to revisit this gem featuring Wyatt Russell. The series centers around Russell’s character, Cooper, who tries out a fresh augmented reality game using a gadget implanted at the back of his neck. In an AR setting, he engages in games such as Whac-A-Mole, and experiments with a horror game that learns and adapts using his own fears. However, when things go awry during the test, it appears to set Cooper on a chaotic chase.

One key point to consider is the potential drawbacks of wearable technology and implants. This underscores the fact that, despite technological advancements, our physical bodies retain their inherent vulnerability. Our weakness lies not only in our physical state but also in our human nature.

Nosedive

The opening episode of Season 3 for the series “Black Mirror” was particularly significant as it marked its transition from Channel 4 to Netflix. Known as “Nosedive,” this episode resonated deeply with viewers, and Bryce Dallas Howard’s portrayal of Lacie was especially noteworthy. The plot appears to draw inspiration from China’s social credit system and our global obsession with social media. In this world, a person’s social standing – think of it as an Uber rating – can influence their socioeconomic status and access to various aspects of daily life. In the story, Lacie aims to boost her 4.2 rating to 4.5 so she can secure a new apartment.

Social media has significantly worsened the world, with misinformation and excessive sharing becoming commonplace. Although our lives aren’t directly controlled by our social media status, it can still undermine crucial aspects such as elections and legislation. Ironically, serving a life sentence feels more liberating than living under a social rating system. Imprisonment is preferable to humiliating oneself for insignificant rewards.

Black Mirror streams on Netflix.

2025-03-21 21:12