SEASON 3, EPISODE 1
“Nosedive”
One of the most anxiety-inducing episodes of Black Mirror, “Nosedive” imagines a future where every human interaction is rated on a mobile app, and your overall score determines where you can work and live. Lacie (Bryce Dallas Howard) sees an opportunity to take her status to the next level when her popular childhood friend chooses her as her maid of honor. The episode, brilliantly written by Michael Schur and Rashida Jones, might make you rethink influencer culture and your use of social media.
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Think of the rating shit on your Apps while watching this
Aaron Paul as Cliff in Black Mirror Season 6.
Nick Wall/Netflix
SEASON 6, EPISODE 3
“Beyond the Sea”
In an alternate 1969, two astronauts, Cliff (Aaron Paul) and David (Josh Hartnett), are living alone on a shuttle in outer space; because of the length of their mission, they’ve been given technology that beams their consciousnesses back to Earth so they can live out their everyday lives with their families in the form of robotic avatars of themselves. When tragedy strikes, the lengths Cliff and David go to in order to preserve their link to the world will make you think of the effects of isolation on the human psyche.
If you want a Black Mirror episode that’s emotional…
SEASON 1, EPISODE 3
“The Entire History of You”
When a job interview or a date goes poorly, it’s easy to dwell on the memory and analyze how things could’ve been different. “The Entire History of You” takes that impulse to the next level, imagining a near future where implants record everything a person sees and allows them to play any moment back for themselves or an audience. Toby Kebbel plays a lawyer who becomes obsessed with scanning his memories for evidence of his wife’s infidelity. It’s a chilling tale of how knowing more seldom makes people happier, and it features a great performance from Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker.
SEASON 2, EPISODE 1
“Be Right Back”
In this beautifully sad episode, Ash (Domhnall Gleeson) dies in a distracted driving accident shortly after moving in with his girlfriend, Martha (Hayley Atwell). The devastated Martha uses a new technology to keep talking to Ash in the form of an AI created through his prodigious social media activity. “Be Right Back” is a melancholy portrait of grief that explores the gap between the person we appear to be online and our true self.
If you want a Black Mirror episode that’s terrifying…
SEASON 2, EPISODE 2
“White Bear”
Black Mirror is often compared to The Twilight Zone, but White Bear is the episode that most resembles the structure of the twisty and often suspenseful anthology series. It follows a woman who wakes up with amnesia and starts looking for help, only to find most people are just interested in silently following her around and recording her on their phones. Seeking out the source of a mysterious mind-controlling broadcast, she discovers the truth about what’s going on is even darker than it seems. Make sure to watch through the credits, which will make you view the whole episode in a new light.
SEASON 3, EPISODE 2
“Playtest”
Prey director Dan Trachtenberg and Black Mirror creator and showrunner Charlie Brooker present a deeply creepy spin on horror video games in “Playtest.” Cooper (Wyatt Russell) has been traveling the world since his father died of Alzheimer’s, and he agrees to test an experimental video game system to avoid going home and dealing with his mother. But reality and the game begin to blur as an artificial neural network forces Cooper to confront what he fears the most. The haunted house filled with giant spiders isn’t nearly as scary as this episode’s psychological horror.
Myha’la Herrold as Pia in Black Mirror Season 6.
Nick Wall/Netflix
SEASON 6, EPISODE 2
“Loch Henry”
You’ll never watch a true crime documentary the same way again. This nightmare fuel of an episode follows young couple Davis (Samuel Blenkin) and Pia (Myha’la Herrold) as they travel to a small town in rural Scotland to film a nature documentary… but end up discovering a much more interesting — and terrifying — story instead.
If you want a Black Mirror episode that’s interactive…
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
An ambitious fusion of film and video game, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch regularly prompts viewers to make decisions that change the outcome of the story, revealing numerous narrative paths and five different endings. Set in 1984, the film follows Stefan Butler (Fionn Whitehead), an ambitious programmer trying to make a fantasy game where the player’s choices will really matter. You’ll want to set aside plenty of time, possibly over the course of several days, to experiment with Bandersnatch so you can go back and make different choices that determine the fate of Stefan and his game.
If you want a Black Mirror episode that’s meta…
SEASON 2, EPISODE 4
“White Christmas”
While all Black Mirror episodes stand alone, many contain Easter eggs that tie them together in a shared world. That’s especially true of the show’s Christmas special, “White Christmas,” which contains a nod to every episode in Seasons 1 and 2, from the technology used in “The Entire History of You” to the song performed in “Fifteen Million Merits.” The references are spread throughout three interweaving stories that tackle pickup artistry, personal assistants and cyberstalking. Even if you don’t catch everything, you’ll be sure to enjoy a charming performance from Jon Hamm.
Annie Murphy as Joan in Black Mirror Season 6.
Nick Wall/Netflix
SEASON 6, EPISODE 1
“Joan Is Awful”
A totally “average” woman named Joan (Annie Murphy) is shocked when a global streaming platform has created a TV adaptation of the least flattering moments of her life. On the plus side, she’s played by A-list Hollywood icon Salma Hayek (Salma Hayek Pinault). On the minus side, the entire world is hooked on Joan Is Awful, and Joan needs to figure out how to write herself out of her own show.
SEASON 4, EPISODE 1
“USS Callister”
A dark send-up of classic Star Trek, “USS Callister” stars Academy Award nominee Jesse Plemons as Robert Daly, a brilliant programmer who cofounded a popular online video game. Unhappy with how he’s treated at the office, Robert retreats into a private server where he takes on the role of a Captain Kirk–like figure, leading an adoring crew — based on his coworkers — on campy adventures. But when a new hire (played by Cristin Milioti) catches Robert’s attention, we find there’s much more going on in his power fantasy.
SEASON 5, EPISODE 3
“Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too”
Miley Cyrus, who left her teen idol days behind to experiment with new musical genres, plays Ashley O, a pop star who wants to start playing rock music — much to the chagrin of her controlling aunt and manager. It’s up to a teen superfan, her rock-loving sister and a toy robot with Ashley’s personality to save the day in this hilarious episode, which includes excellent pop adaptations of Nine Inch Nails songs.
If you want a Black Mirror episode that’s post-apocalyptic…
SEASON 4, EPISODE 5
“Metalhead”
If you think those high-tech robot dogs are more creepy than cool, you’ll want to check out “Metalhead,” which imagines the same technology relentlessly pursuing and killing people. Human civilization has collapsed in this black-and-white action thriller, which offers some particularly unsettling shots from the robot’s perspective. At 41 minutes, it’s one of the shortest Black Mirror episodes, meaning that the tension never fades.
If you want a Black Mirror episode that’s romantic…
SEASON 3, EPISODE 4
“San Junipero”
The beloved “San Junipero” was the first Black Mirror to actually have a happy ending. The episode follows Yorkie (Mackenzie Davis), a shy and sincere young woman who falls for the more adventurous Kelly (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) at a nightclub in the resort town of San Junipero. Yorkie seeks to turn the fling into something more, which leads her on a twisty journey to find Kelly again. It’s a beautifully sweet story packed with great ’80s music.
SEASON 4, EPISODE 4
“Hang the DJ”
Dating is hard, but in “Hang the DJ,” a new app called Coach promises to make it easier. It matches people together and gives every couple an expiration date –– until it finally finds and connects lifelong partners. Amy (Georgina Campbell) and Frank (Joe Cole) are paired together for just 12 hours, but come to question if they should trust their feelings for each other more than Coach as they endure a series of unsatisfying and terrible relationships with others. If “San Junipero” has you feeling the love, put this on next.
