7 Essential Episodes Of 'Black Mirror'

TV & Film

Oct 27

The latest season of Black Mirror is not due to drop until 2025, so if you are planning on a rewatch (or if you are only just discovering the mind-warping show), where should you start? Here are seven essential episodes if you are just dipping your toe into Charlie Brooker’s universe.

7. Bandersnatch

Bandersnatch is a standalone special episode that allows viewers to make multiple choices that determine the direction of the story. A secret ending also reveals itself if you take a particular path. It’s not the best episode to start with, but it is essential viewing. Netflix had to create new technology to air this episode, and although they have made several interactive shows for kids since, there hasn’t been anything to beat Black Mirror. The plot follows a game designer making a choose-your-own-path fantasy game, but beware, as none of the possible endings are particularly happy…well, what did you expect?

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6. Nosedive (Season 3, Episode 1)

Lacie is a young professional looking to buy a house in a world where access is determined by a social credit score. The populace rates each other via an app, so annoying a few strangers can ruin an entire life. Lacie sees a chance to boost her score when a popular friend asks her to participate in her wedding, but all doesn’t go to plan. The episode is penned by Michael Schur and Rashida Jones, and it makes some disturbing comparisons with modern-day phone usage.

5. USS Callister (Season 4, Episode 1)

One of the first big star-studded episodes, including Jessy Plemons (Breaking Bad) and Cristin Milioti (How I Met Your Mother). A disgruntled coder creates a Star Trek-like virtual reality using avatars of his co-workers. Daly physically and psychologically tortures his creations, but the NPCs have consciousnesses and learn how to fight back. It’s Charlie Brooker's commentary on Incel culture, but there are some nice easter eggs from other episodes as well as classic science fiction.

4. White Bear (Season 2, Episode 2)

Victoria wakes up and is chased from her home. She has no memory, and, for the majority of the episode, viewers have no idea why she is being hunted. Crowds follow and film her wherever she goes. When the twist is revealed, it causes viewers to question their own ethics. A big crime and punishment episode, but the white bear logo pops up in Black Mirror throughout the seasons.

3. Beyond The Sea (Season 6, Episode 3)

Cliff (Aaron Paul) and David (Josh Hartnett) are alone on a shuttle in space. But they’ve been given technology that beams their consciousnesses back to realistic androids on Earth that can interact with their families and lead normal lives. When David’s family and robot are killed, Cliff offers him the use of his doppelganger for one hour a week. But it doesn’t go as planned. This episode has a controversial ending that fans of the show debated endlessly online. Whether you agree or disagree with it, Beyond the Sea isn’t easily forgettable.

2. Hang The DJ (Season 4, Episode 7)

In Hang the DJ, a new app called Coach appears to solve dating when it gives all couples an expiration date until they discover the person they are meant to be with forever. Amy (Georgina Campbell) and Frank (Joe Cole) are paired together for just twelve hours. However, the feelings they have for each other are stronger than the app’s judgement. Do they let each other go or fight the time limit? This app pops up as an easter egg in other episodes, so it’s a must-watch for any fan.

1. Be Right Back (Season 2, Episode 1)

This heart-wrenching episode stars Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter) as the newly bereaved widow who brings her husband back by embedding his AI personality into an android replica. Dom Gleeson (The Harry Potter Franchise) plays the husband, and both the principal cast members put in stunning performances. Martha’s grief and the android’s inability to accurately replicate the human condition ultimately lead to a dramatic conclusion. The technology used in this episode is a basis for some of the other Black Mirror stories. Charlie Brooker is a big fan of dissecting the morality of using AI and androids, so this is an essential Black Mirror watch.

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