Black Mirror Season 6: Reimagining the Startling and Weird Formula with Mind-Blowing New Episodes

Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker discusses the departure from the show's usual formula in season 6. Unlike previous seasons, which focused heavily on technology in a near-future setting, season 6 of Black Mirror includes episodes set in the past that are not as technology-centric. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Brooker explains why the final story of the season, "Demon 79," is labeled as a Red Mirror production. He mentions that the Red Mirror label is reserved for episodes that deviate from the typical technology-focused theme. Brooker also expresses his desire to experiment with different ideas instead of solely focusing on current technology trends, using NFTs as an example. According to Brooker, the show was never meant to solely explore the technology of the moment.

I began this season with a story called "Demon 79," which was set in the past and had a "Red Mirror" theme. The intention behind the "Red Mirror" label was to create a horror companion to Black Mirror but with an alternative twist. However, towards the end of Demon 79, it started to connect back to regular Black Mirror episodes. This made me question why I was limiting myself to only setting things in a future filled with futuristic elements like chrome, glass, and holograms. This led me to consider setting the "Beyond the Sea" episode in 1969. I wondered how that era would be depicted and found it quite exciting because it felt like a lost science fiction story from the 60s. This also meant that the characters within it would behave like people from that time period, rather than our own. I pondered whether there was a term for this type of setting, perhaps retrofuturistic or psychedelic steampunk?

On the other hand, "Mazey Day" is set in the early 2000s. Initially, I couldn't decide whether it should be a Red Mirror or a Black Mirror episode. Eventually, I decided that it should indeed be a Black Mirror episode, as not doing so would have spoiled the slightly outrageous twist that occurs. I wanted to experiment with what Black Mirror represented and avoid feeling confined to only writing about the latest technology trends like NFTs. That was never the original intention of the show. If you go back to our first episode, you can clearly see that it was designed to be shocking, surprising, and peculiar. So, I aimed to reconnect with that essence a bit.

Should Netflix Just Make A Black Mirror Spinoff?

Black Mirror, since its move to Netflix, has received a mixed response from both critics and audiences. The divided opinion goes beyond comparing the quality of individual episodes. It revolves around whether Black Mirror should focus on creature features, like "Mazey Day", or continue exploring supernatural concepts such as demons and apocalypses.

Even within the two episodes, there are noticeable differences. "Demon 79" presents a strong story with a feature-length runtime and commendable chemistry between lead actors Anjana Vasan and Paapa Essiedu. On the other hand, "Mazey Day" fails to make a significant impact or effectively utilize the talents of its lead, Zazie Beetz. However, neither episode truly captures the essence of what Black Mirror excels at.

There is a valid argument that the anthology series should stick to its strengths rather than expanding into different genres. Black Mirror's true brilliance lies in its ability to portray deeply human, timely, and often cynically realistic depictions of human interaction with technology.

A potential resolution could involve the creation of a broader spinoff, crafted by a collective of writers, that explores genres such as science fiction, horror, and historical themes. This spinoff could possibly be titled Red Mirror. While Black Mirror could continue to make sporadic returns, perhaps including a captivating and optimistic episode similar to "San Junipero," the show should strive to retain its unique qualities, especially in a landscape where anthology series have become more prevalent, partly due to Brooker's achievements. This may result in a smaller number of episodes released less frequently.