The Definitive Ranking: Unveiling the Most Underrated Black Mirror Episodes That Will Blow Your Mind!
Overrated Black Mirror episodes including the controversial Joan Is Awful alongside fan-favorites like San Junipero, Hang The DJ, and Nosedive Explore the captivating stories of technology's impact on society in these highly acclaimed episodes
WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Black Mirror!
As an anthology, Netflix's Black Mirror explores various sci-fi settings, characters, and stories in each episode. This diversity naturally leads to different opinions among audiences regarding which episodes are overrated and which ones meet the show's high standards. For example, Season 6's second episode, "Loch Henry," garnered criticism for its lack of futuristic technology. However, some viewers defended the episode by pointing out that Black Mirror primarily delves into humanity's relationship with technology rather than solely focusing on the future.
Although both arguments are valid, the criticism of Black Mirror: Loch Henry does not necessarily prove that the episode is overhyped. It still presents a compelling narrative about the exploitative nature of true-crime documentaries in the streaming era. However, not all Black Mirror episodes deliver the same level of impact. Some episodes make bold promises, explore groundbreaking themes, and even initiate discussions among viewers, yet fail to live up to the hype surrounding them. While the perception of being "overrated" may vary from person to person, here are a few Black Mirror episodes that arguably do not deserve the acclaim they receive.
10 Joan Is Awful
Although it has a captivating hook, Black Mirror season 6's Joan Is Awful fails to capture the true essence of the potential ethical dilemmas humans may encounter as they become more dependent on AI. The episode touches on deep fake technology, the hidden intricacies of legal contracts in the entertainment industry, and the consequences of technophobia. However, these ideas lack the necessary depth. Similar to several recent episodes of the Black Mirror series, Joan is Awful becomes overly consumed with sensationalizing superficial concepts that most viewers are already well-acquainted with, rather than taking daring risks and presenting something truly unique.
9 San Junipero
In comparison to the majority of other Black Mirror episodes throughout all seasons, San Junipero stands out for its exceptional emotional resonance. It is also worth acknowledging its bold approach in challenging prevailing LGBTG+ themes in popular culture. However, this particular episode from season 3 tends to be somewhat overhyped as it deviates significantly from the typical essence of Black Mirror. The series has always been focused on illustrating the adverse consequences of humanity's reliance on technology. While San Junipero incorporates technology as a driving force in its narrative, it diverges greatly from the darker and less hopeful tone prevalent in most other episodes, particularly by the conclusion.
8 Hang The DJ
7 Nosedive
Hang The DJ, from Black Mirror, takes a similar narrative approach to San Junipero, focusing on romantic themes and simulated realities. However, it goes a step further by placing a stronger emphasis on technology and integrating it seamlessly into the overall storyline. Unlike San Junipero, Hang The DJ falls short in evoking strong emotions, and its underwhelming conclusion fails to provide enough emotional impact to the blossoming romance between its two main characters.
Nosedive, an episode from the popular series Black Mirror, effectively captures society's inclination towards online social validation through its vibrant yet unsettling portrayal of a dystopian future. The exceptional performances further enhance the overall impact of the story. However, as the episode progresses, it becomes increasingly didactic and lacks depth, ultimately diminishing its initial allure. While the concept of social media likes and influence as a form of currency holds relevance in the real world, the episode's overly critical approach towards the virtual realm undermines the sense of realism it initially establishes.
6 USS Callister
Black Mirror season 4, episode 1 "USS Callister," deserves recognition for its creative exploration of sexism, virtual harassment, and bullying. The use of elements from the Star Trek franchise in its mise-en-scène adds visual appeal, surpassing even some of Black Mirror's most exceptional episodes. The talented cast delivers impressive performances, which contributed to the heightened anticipation surrounding its release on Netflix. However, the episode's lack of subtlety in handling weighty topics is its downfall. While it effectively utilizes overt and exaggerated storytelling to emphasize its satirical undertones, it falls short in offering the thought-provoking depth seen in other Black Mirror episodes such as "Hatred in the Nation." While USS Callister is not among the weakest installations of the franchise, it fails to reach the caliber of the series' best episodes, making it susceptible to being considered overrated in comparison to the high standards set by its counterparts.
5 White Bear
4 Beyond The Sea
With its carefully crafted narrative and continuous suspense, Black Mirror season 2's White Bear offers an enthralling viewing experience. Although the shocking twist may leave first-time viewers taken aback, it fails to provide any redemption for the main character and falls short in developing its characters. While the episode successfully depicts a society in distress and examines elements of criminal justice, it ultimately resembles a typical Black Mirror installment that relies on shock value rather than leaving a lasting impression.
Beyond the Sea stands out as one of the standout episodes in Black Mirror season 6 from a production standpoint. Led by stellar performances from Aaron Paul and Josh Hartnett, the cast successfully builds up the tension in this captivating alternate history and outer space drama. Like other episodes in the Black Mirror series, Beyond The Sea is driven by a thought-provoking concept. However, its portrayal of an alternate reality, particularly one set in 1969, feels somewhat implausible. It is difficult to imagine a time when sending humans to space alone was a monumental accomplishment, let alone the existence of robotic replicas on Earth that possess their consciousness.
As the Black Mirror season 6 episode unfolds, it becomes increasingly surreal in its depiction of technology, leading to several logical inconsistencies. For instance, it is illogical that David effortlessly transfers his consciousness to Cliff's earthly body when the show explicitly states that creating humanoid robots is a complicated process. The conclusion of Beyond the Sea is impactful, underscoring how loneliness and isolation can severely affect the human psyche. However, the characters fail to garner sufficient likability, resulting in a lack of empathy for the tragedies experienced by David and Cliff.
3 The Entire History of You
The Entire History Of You is hailed as one of the finest episodes in the Black Mirror series, showcasing a remarkable mix of realism and reliability. It delves into the dangers and advantages of possessing a sharp memory and embracing memory-enhancing technology. Unlike other episodes in the sci-fi genre, this particular installment stands out by crafting a deeply human tale, utilizing technology solely as a narrative tool. Although the exploration of human nature proves enthralling, the episode's predictable storyline prevents it from achieving exceptional status.
2 White Christmas
Black Mirror's "White Christmas" episode from season 2 is incredibly captivating thanks to its well-executed plot twists and skillful interweaving of multiple individual storylines. Furthermore, it skillfully utilizes technological advancements to explore the profound impact of visual perception and memories on shaping human identity, relationships, and emotions. Regrettably, towards the end of White Christmas, the portrayal of real-world blocking and simulated realities veers into a somewhat cheesy territory, especially when attempting to connect it with the concept of legal justice. In contrast, Charlie Kaufman's film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, masterfully integrates science fiction elements into similar themes without succumbing to pretentious edginess.
1 Fifteen Million Merits
Black Mirror season 1's episode 2, "Fifteen Million Merits," initially appears to have the potential for sci-fi greatness. It tackles the issue of class divisions, drawing direct parallels to the real world. The performances by Daniel Kaluuya and Jessica Brown Findlay contribute to a compelling narrative. However, the episode's main drawback is its sacrifice of logical storytelling in favor of impactful, relatable themes. Many narrative elements in "Fifteen Million Merits" serve as vehicles for social commentary and striking imagery but ultimately lead to no substantial conclusion.
The mechanics and rules governing the sci-fi world in the episode are not thoroughly explained or explored. These deficiencies reveal why certain viewers may consider it overrated, while others who emphasize its overarching message may deem it one of the series' finest episodes. Irrespective of individual opinions on the Black Mirror episode, it unquestionably exceeds the sum of its parts.
