Mind-Blowing Moments and Shocking Twists: A Must-Read Recap of Black Mirror Season 6!

Black Mirror season 6 has made its highly-anticipated return, offering both exceptional and less impressive moments. The critically-acclaimed Netflix series has brought us five new episodes, each presenting a cautionary tale about society, human nature, and the harmful consequences of different technologies. Black Mirror has always been known for its unique perspectives and innovative storytelling, shedding light on the negative impacts of scientific progress on individuals, relationships, and even corporations. Taking place in a not-too-distant future, the show continues to explore the potential dangers of a digitally connected world.

While the rankings of Black Mirror season 6 from worst to best may vary among individuals, each episode possesses its own set of advantages and disadvantages that collectively push the Black Mirror universe in a promising direction. As a whole, season 6 of Black Mirror has faced some criticism for not capturing the same level of imagination in its storylines and themes as previous seasons, especially in terms of technology. However, the new season has generally been well-received and represents a significant improvement over the lackluster three-episode season 5 of Black Mirror. Here, we delve into the standout moments of Black Mirror season 6.

12 Best: Michael Cera Gets Knocked Out In Joan Is Awful

Michael Cera's brief appearance in Black Mirror season 6, episode 1, titled "Joan Is Awful," was undeniably one of the highlights. Cera portrays a solitary technician at Streamberry, a streaming service parody similar to Netflix, who is taken aback when Annie Murphy and Salma Hayek unexpectedly intrude upon his state-of-the-art headquarters. In this scene, Cera is overseeing the quantum supercomputer within the simulated reality of "Fictive Level One," which Murphy and Hayek aim to dismantle. Despite Cera's attempts to clarify that they are all digitally-licensed computer-generated entities created by Streamberry to produce captivating content, Murphy, who has been on the brink of a breakdown throughout the entire episode, surprisingly strikes Cera in the face to silence him.

11 Worst: Cultists Murder David’s Family In Beyond the Sea

The brutal scene in which David witnesses the murder of his wife and two young children by deranged cultists in "Beyond the Sea" is undeniably one of the most harrowing moments in Black Mirror season 6. This pivotal event sets the stage for the subsequent action in the episode. However, the graphic portrayal of the scene was excessively gory and gratuitously violent. The obvious association with the Manson Family killers and the tragic fate of Sharon Tate felt uninspired, particularly since Tarantino had already reimagined that story in Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood. Furthermore, the leader of the cultists was exasperatingly self-absorbed, constantly preaching a half-baked philosophy of naturalism, which only intensified the horror and frustration of the scene.

10 Best: Stuart’s Hilarious Crowbar Line In Loch Henry

Stuart, portrayed by Daniel Portman of Game of Thrones fame, commanded attention in every scene of Black Mirror season 6, episode 2, "Loch Henry." His magnetic charisma not only elevated the group of endearing characters in "Loch Henry," but also infused the narrative with a captivating energy, establishing him as one of the most remarkable new additions to the Black Mirror universe. Stuart's quick wit was on full display, particularly when he, Pia, and Davis embarked on breaking into Iain Adair's deserted house using a crowbar. In response to Davis' request for a quieter approach, Stuart quipped, "Sure, I'll switch the crowbar to whisper mode."

9 Worst: Demon 79’s Pointless Apocalyptic Ending

The conclusion of "Demon 79," the fifth episode of Black Mirror season 6, left much to be desired as it depicted a seemingly senseless and unsatisfying world-ending event caused by a series of nuclear bombs. Throughout the episode, Needa firmly believed that unless she sacrificed the lives of three individuals as instructed by her demon mentor Gaap, the world would descend into an inferno. Unfortunately, this grim prediction came true, as Needa and Gaap departed together into an infinite black hole, unexpectedly discovering a newfound love for each other. The introduction of this random romantic connection, aimed at justifying their pseudo-happy ending, felt unearned and contrived. Moreover, the apocalyptic finale that resulted in the annihilation of humanity lacked the creative ingenuity showcased in other exceptional episodes of Black Mirror.

8 Best: Needa Fantasy Killing Vicky In Demon 79

On the other hand, the moment in Black Mirror season 6 where Needa takes revenge on her insufferable coworker Vicky was undeniably satisfying. Not only had Vicky betrayed and insulted Needa in "Demon 79," but she had also displayed self-centeredness and overt racism. These qualities made the fictional scene in which Needa forcefully pushes Vicky through the glass counter both cathartic and compelling to watch. While it is not justified for someone to die simply for being mean or racist, Vicky's actions had consequences, especially considering Needa's mission to protect humanity involved eliminating threats.

7 Worst: Pia’s Random Sudden Death In Loch Henry

Pia's demise in "Loch Henry" was hasty and devoid of meaning. While evading Davis's murderous mother, she slips on a rock and suffers a fatal blow to her skull, resulting in instant death. The manner in which Pia is killed off seems arbitrary and convenient, particularly considering Davis's mother is in pursuit. It would have been more logical if Davis's mother had managed to catch up with Pia and found a way to end her life, perhaps by running her over with a car. Such an alternative scenario could have opened up a range of creative narrative possibilities in "Loch Henry" and allowed for the development of the villainous character. Instead, the writers simply discarded Pia without giving any consideration to the significance of her death.

6 Best: Bo’s Final Shot In Mazey Day

Black Mirror season 6, episode 4, "Mazey Day," presents a number of narrative challenges, particularly in terms of its pacing and lackluster supporting characters. However, despite being considered the weakest installment of the season, it manages to deliver a simple yet impactful ending reminiscent of the acclaimed film Nightcrawler. Bo (Zazie Beetz) remains fixated on monetary gain throughout the episode, fully aware that her photographs of the troubled Hollywood star Mazey will bring her a substantial payday. When Mazey ultimately requests Bo to capture her own demise on camera, the shot is taken, resulting in Mazey's tragic and thought-provoking demise. This profound conclusion effectively underscores the episode's otherwise underdeveloped storyline.

5 Worst: Joan Is Awful’s Horrific Wedding Diarrhea Scene

While Joan's unforgettable scene of wedding illness in "Joan Is Awful" is both comedic and repulsive, the scene could have been less explicit in its use of sound. The moment appears to have drawn inspiration from the popular comedy film Bridesmaids, which somewhat diminishes the shock value for viewers who are familiar with the same gimmick from that movie. It is undoubtedly a remarkable moment that aligns with Joan's strategy of generating attention for her Streamberry series through graphic content. There is nothing inherently wrong with the scene; it is simply disgustingly unpleasant, slightly unoriginal, and capable of instantly spoiling any meal.

4 Best: Salma Hayek’s Quam-Puta Line In Joan Is Awful

Salam Hayek steals the spotlight in "Joan Is Awful," delivering some of the most hilarious moments of Black Mirror season 6. With her witty remarks like "Doesn't my rear end have rights?" and "Oh, thank goodness! He was so dull!" after Joan punches Michael Cera in the face, she keeps the audience entertained. However, it is in the scene at Streamberry's technological headquarters where Hayek delivers her best line. As they finally get a chance to destroy the quantum computer responsible for Joan's show, Hayek amusingly urges, "Come on! Come on! Just kill that quam-puta!"

3 Worst: Mazey Day’s Bizarre Werewolf Twist

Mazey Day had great potential with its intriguing premise, offering a self-reflexive perspective on paparazzi culture and a nostalgic early 2000s theme. However, all of these promising elements fell short when the supernatural revelation emerged that Mazey, the celebrity, was a werewolf by night. Although the twist was undeniably shocking, it diverged so drastically from the essence of Black Mirror that it felt disconnected from the overall universe of the series. Consequently, it seemed like a missed opportunity and a cheap narrative device that undermined the integrity of the entire story. The inclusion of a werewolf twist in a Black Mirror episode left numerous viewers perplexed, questioning whether they were truly witnessing an authentic installment of the series.

2 Best: Beyond The Sea’s David Dancing With Lana In Cliff’s Replica

"Beyond the Sea" in Black Mirror season 6 delivered the most intellectually stimulating and exceptional dramatic moment. This particular scene stood out due to the unparalleled tension it presented. David, inhabiting the body of his fellow astronaut Cliff, engaged in a captivating and romantic dance with Lana, Cliff's wife. The astonishing nature of the situation was further enhanced by Aaron Paul's remarkable talent, as he convincingly portrayed both characters sharing the same physical vessel. Despite appearing as Cliff, Paul's acting prowess brought forth the essence of David, culminating in a breathtaking moment that undoubtedly marked the pinnacle of Black Mirror season 6.

1 Worst: Demon 79’s Unnecessary Traumatic Backstory For Needa’s First Victim

The weakest moment of Black Mirror season 6 occurred when an unnecessary backstory was provided for Needa's initial murder victim, in an attempt to morally justify his death. Without delving into too much detail, it was revealed that the character had committed a heinous act against a family member, which was not only mentioned but uncomfortably portrayed in the episode. There were certainly alternative methods to showcase the character's moral corruption and potential deserving of death, rendering the selection of this distressing backstory amongst numerous other possibilities ultimately distasteful and thoughtless. Undoubtedly, this stands as the nadir of Black Mirror season 6.