Updated 6/10/2019
Season 5 is probably my least favorite season. At this point, I think Charlie Brooker and his colleagues are running out of ideas. If not, they're probably rushed into producing episodes because of popular demand. Thus, the results are quite lackluster compared to past seasons. Still, this anthology gives me so much joy. They're like Madeline Martha Mackenzie's grudges, I tend to them like little pets.
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Edited: 1/7/2018
Tried my best to finish the fourth season as slow as possible, and I think it took me a week, one episode per day since it was released. Patting myself for a job well done in taking it slow considering that this show gives me so much pleasure and it's really easy to binge watch in a day albeit exhausting and emotionally draining. They tried to mix it up this season as not all episodes create negative reaction anymore unlike the usual Black Mirror that we know. Some avid fans like it, some don't. I may not be a huge fan of this season, but I appreciate the risks that Charlie Brooker took in producing this refreshing season.
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If anyone talks to me about Black Mirror a month ago, I would probably look like a fool because I've never even heard it ever. Then just two weeks ago, I saw an FB post and a tweet talking about a Black Mirror episode called San Junipero which featured Brandi Carlisle's Heaven is a Place on Earth, and how that song has its new meaning. That got me curious! I love when movies or TV shows feature a song that will always remind you of that particular scene and that its meaning has absolutely changed either for the better or worse (See Smoke Gets in Your Eyes for 45 Years, or Chasing Cars for Grey's Anatomy). Now that's probably a good idea for another ranking.
So I watched San Junipero without even knowing what Black Mirror is about and despite my ignorance, I still loved it and vowed to watch more episodes. Then I realized that the show is actually an anthology that depicts modern society, specifically modern or future technology, in a satirical and disturbing way.
That made it easier for me because I don't have to watch it in order and there are only 13 episodes, 13 brilliantly thought episodes to binge on. In just two weeks I finished all the episodes and here's how I would rank them based on their overall greatness.
23. Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too - S05E03
Pains me to admit that
The Waldo Moment has been dethroned as my least favorite episode especially with a Miley Cyrus-starred one with an equally good Angourie Rice in a quieter role.
Rachel, Jack, and Ashley too is this season's resident
San Junipero and
USS Callister in terms of happy ending, but it pales in comparison to the conceptual brilliance of the two. And I'm not even a huge fan of the latter. It started off really good and grounded with its portrayal of a glamorous pop star struggling to fight fame and her autocratic manager. Then it got entangled with other several themes that it got a bit too distracted. It came to a point where the plot becomes too convenient for its own good. Although to its defense, it was
a lot of fun. Ridiculous but fun.
22. The Waldo Moment - S02E03
I like the scary idea of a filthy-mouthed CGI blue bear beating other candidates in an election if it hasn't happened before. But with the recent turn of World current events, it's actually not as strange as it sounds especially that it already happened except the blue bear is color orange. In fairness to
Black Mirror, this was aired three years ago so Kudos to Charlie Brooker, the creator and writer of this series, for his foresight. At first, it's actually interesting. I love the irony of the man behind Waldo as depressed, and while I thought that his character development would go to a better direction, the conclusion of this episode got over-the-top, predictable and made for an eyeroll worthy ending.
21. Men Against Fire - S03E05
This would have been more interesting if they didn't reveal the twist near the end because it's actually a great twisted one with a haunting message about technology in warfare. The only problem is it got too predictable. I also tend to love
Black Mirror episodes that tackle a society wherein I can personally relate with. Unfortunately,
Men Against Fire examines the future of military organizations which most of the time, I really don't care about. I'd rather watch a documentary about it than a fiction like this. Don't get me wrong, I'm aware that it goes beyond military orgs because it also tackles racism, but it doesn't change the fact that they failed to make it interesting all throughout the episode. My favorite part of this episode is me realizing that they feature the song
Anyone Who Knows What Love is (Understands) in every season.
20. Arkangel - S04E02
Aww as much as I want to root for this episode coz it's directed by Jodie Foster I really find it to be flat. Not a fan of the choices that they took. I wish they focused more on the effect of the 'Arkangel' technology to the child rather than the mother. It also doesn't help that the adult Sara looks like the lovechild of Kate McKinnon and Kimmi Kappenberg of Survivor. Rosemarie Dewitt was good but not outstanding. It was rather comedic for me when it was intended to be dim.
19. White Christmas - Christmas Special 2014
It's crazy how I love this episode yet it's this low. Just proves that Black Mirror has lots of great episodes. White Christmas stars Jon Hamm and Rafe Spall, and while I didn't care about the message of this episode and the twist (it's quite predictable), I love the three stories interwoven to make a fully realized episode. The stories vary from comedy to dark to touching to scary, and overall it may seem messy on paper, but the writing is so good, it makes for an intriguing and touching episode. Scary ending!
18. Black Museum - S04E06
I
love a good revenge story and it helps a lot that the lead character
played by Letita Wright is very likable. Like every other episodes of
Black Mirror,
the twist helped this episode become tolerable because the side stories
are a bit terrible. The concepts are fine, I actually love the first
one, but the performances and the execution were cringe-worthy. I love
to hate Rolo Haynes.
17. USS Callister - S04E01
The
beloved episode of season four. Unfortunately, it's too hehehaha for
me. It does have a very satisfying ending though. Daly dying at the end
is satisfactory, Cristin Millioti, as much as she bothers me (can't
pinpoint why), captured me yet again. I am also not a fan of her Tracy
in
HIMYM initially but she finds ways to be likable and she's
great in it. Other than that, I thought the heist part of this episode
was stupid and I would be very much more satisfied if it ended in a sad
way even for the leads. I appreciate the fun and color!
15. Smithereens - S05E02
This episode goes back to
The National Anthem in terms of message except the stakes are lower and the treatment
is less engaging. But that doesn't mean this one's insignificant, especially in our age so the reiteration is kind of appropriate. It doesn't hurt that Andrew Scott's performance is really commendable that he elevates the episode from monotonous to gripping to extremely emotional. This one also has the murky elements of old
Black Mirror so that's definitely a plus.
16. Hated in the Nation - S03E06
I initially liked
Hated in the Nation,
and I still do, but it's also one of the first few episodes that I've
seen and sadly, it got bumped off for other better episodes. Kelly
Macdonald is my MVP here, and Faye Marsay is not far behind. They made
this serious episode gripping. Just the idea of Kelly's heavy and cutesy
accent combined with badass personality is worthy of watching the whole
episode, even though at times, I found myself bored especially after
they've figured out the mystery of the killings. Killer hashtags? It's a
very interesting idea to the point where you'll actually think about
all the posts that you make on Twitter. It really did affect me, and I
like that! But yup, it's stirring, it's scary, but it's not super
engaging.
14. Striking Vipers - S05E01
Episodes involving human relationships and technology never fail to grab me as a viewer, which puts
Striking Vipers on top of my list among the three recently released episodes. Not to mention that this one has the most shocking twist of them all, and we certainly love a good old crazy
Black Mirror twist. One would probably feel that its concept was a bit stretched-out throughout the episode especially that the reveal happened in the second half, but I appreciate it for thoroughly exploring romance, infidelity, sexuality and even race. It also has a perfect ending to make us all wonder. Did
it end good or not?
13. Be Right Back - S02E01
Romantic and creepy and sad at the same time. This is one of the episodes that's actually devastating because it depicts grief, and both death and resurrection awow. The resurrection is where it gets interesting because if you watch the show and take time to think about it, it's actually not "resurrection", it's more of like double dead? Imagine your dead loved one coming back from the dead based on all the posts they made on social media or the internet. At first, it's going to amaze you, and then you'll realize they actually don't have the same emotion of a human being and all they had is records of your dead loved one, and you thought it will solve your problem of missing someone only to end up missing them so much more. I guess what's more sad about this is the main character got absorbed by this foolish idea. It's scary that it could happen in the future.
12. Fifteen Million Merits - S01E02
This
episode is one of the most creative thing they've ever done. It's set
in a cute futuristic environment wherein people have to earn merits to
have access in their community. It has a lot of important things to say
about our future, and I guess, entertainment shows too. My biggest issue
about this, which is probably debatable for some, is the execution. I
could imagine if this was a Season 3 episode, which I suppose they were
given bigger budget because of Netflix, this would have been more
watchable, comprehensive and prettier. I thought Bing and Abi's romance
was not thoroughly fleshed out, but if you know the episode, it's
probably for the good. That's why when the "twist" happened, I wasn't
too invested and affected by it. It's still depressing as hell but other
episodes did a better job in making sure the ending will devastate its
viewers. Maybe if it was 15-20 minutes longer, they'd be able to
convince me that Bing and Abi actually like each other.
11. Hang the DJ - S04E04
Enjoyable, sweet and cute but at the end of the day, it's not these qualities that made me like the episode. It's the twist, and it happened at the very end. This episode is the show's way of saying to stay away from dating apps, but try it nevertheless because hey, it might work. It's extremely ironic, but I get what they're trying to say. I just wish it's more intense, because it's probably the most tender episode of
Black Mirror and I don't like tender in
Black Mirror.
10. Shut Up and Dance - S03E03
This episode has one of the most aggravating endings of Black Mirror ever. You'll feel betrayed and drained by it, at least that's what happened to me. Aside from the ending, there are several things I like about this. For one, I really like how the narration makes you want to know more of what's going to happen with the main character, and as the story progresses, the story gets even more layered with the cast and dilemma also increase in number. Second, it makes you put yourself in the main character's situation. Then you start to disagree with his actions only to realize by the end why his actions made sense. I guess if you figured out the twist in the beginning you won't have the same reaction but if you didn't, it's a very gripping episode to watch. You'll question humanity after watching this. Great use of Radiohead's Exit Music too.
9. Metalhead - S04E05
I'm actually saddened by the negative reaction for this episode. I chose to watch this first because it intrigued me most the moment I saw the trailer, and I actually enjoyed it A LOT! It's fueled by the tremendous bad ass scream queen Maxine Peak, great cinematography and a touching story. People's qualm with it is that it lacks context but I thought it's still very watchable and complete. Sometimes, less is indeed more and it applies to this episode. Not to mention, it also has one of the best tragic moments this season and probably the whole show so that's a plus. Teddy bear twist is a bit of a flop, though. I'm sure people would love this more if it's a standalone and not a
Black Mirror episode.
8. Playtest - S03E02
Playtest is probably the scariest episode of the series, and I'm not only talking about its message, but the episode itself is horror. That's why I love it so much. It kind of reminds me of
Cabin in the Woods except scarier and has more depth. By the end of this episode, I found myself breathing profusely.
7. Bandersnatch - S05 - Film
Even though this film was designed to cater its interactive feature, the idea and the work behind it still astounds me to this date. The story might not be as twisted, or should I say it depends on our decisions on how it's going to be, but it's still groundbreaking that I fully enjoyed exploring all the possible scenarios that they prepared. That's probably not a good criteria to judge an episode, but hey, I was quite amused by its spectacle. Consider me a fan.
6. Crocodile - S04E03
Crocodile is not the most unpredictable episode of the fourth season but it's definitely one of the darkest. It explores themes of guilt and conscience in a fun but bleak manner. I love how the story started with a shocking and dark scenario and it still managed to dig deep with even crazier scenarios. Beware of Mia Nolan! Andrea Riseborough was amazing as this devilish and calculating character and it's so fun to watch her get crazier as she goes downward spiral. It's probably her androgynous look too because she looked fierce in it. Not a fan of the technology, though. It's definitely flawed, but the performances and the story-line carried it for me. Standout of the season.
5. White Bear - S02E02
It's hard to figure out where I should place this in this ranking because I have mixed reactions to it. Part of me thinks it's brilliant because it has an awesome mysterious premise that makes you want to know further what's going on, but then after the reveal of its twist, I'm not so sure if it's fantastic or just plain annoying. Either way, this is one of the
Black Mirror episodes where its message is so strong, it's easy to look past its been-there-done-that twist.
4. The National Anthem - S01E01
This is the first ever episode of
Black Mirror and wow what a great pilot. It's not the first episode that I've seen though obviously, but I imagine being hooked too if this is the first one I've seen. Like in
Shut Up and Dance, the best thing about this is it is enthralling, and the result is very satisfying, at least for entertainment purposes. It's still nothing short of grim for sure. Throughout the episode you'll wonder if they're ever going to be successful in fulfilling the blackmail they're facing and what happens next is the last thing you'll ever think of because it's so silly and degrading. But alas that's what happened, and the consequence is disheartening. This is also one of the episodes where I care about the message the same as I did with the story.
3. Nosedive - SE03E01
Pick this episode if you want to recommend
Black Mirror to a friend. Nosedive is easy to watch. Light and hilarious but it still has the other qualities of a great
Black Mirror episode -- grim, depressing and twisted. This is also probably the most relatable episode of the series because what it mocks is already happening in our society. Pleasing others to have likes, favorites and retweets? I know I'm guilty! LOL and this episode absolutely captivates the hilarity and consequences of it all. Bryce Dallas Howard is a champ in fleshing out the fake and social climbing character named Lacey who for sure you're going to love to hate. It's fun, campy and even cliche yet it's still one of the most rewatchable episodes of
Black Mirror.
2. The Entire History of You - S01E03
Now this is probably the most poignant episode yet. Like
Nosedive, it's easy to relate with this episode especially if you've ever been hurt by a past relationship involving a third party... or even just by having a romantic relationship with someone which I suppose is all of us. This also examines the saying
Ignorance is bliss. But ultimately, like a classic
Black Mirror episode, this shows the bad effects of future technology. An implanted chip where it allows you to rewind the moments in your life? Geez. Rewatching moments that have already happened sounds appealing at first, then it will also remind you of your mistakes and other bad memories. It's kind of happening now with
On This Day of Facebook, and
Timehop, etc. and I read an article that this nostalgic feature is already bringing up painful memories to some users. Hopefully because of this episode, we won't reach that far even though we're somewhat already marching to that direction.
1. San Junipero - S03E04
Turns out, the episode that made me watch all
Black Mirror episodes remains on top of my list. When I watched this, I watch it not because of the
Black Mirror factor, I watched this because of the song. I rewatched this yesterday and there's really more to it than the
Black Mirror factor and the 80's soundtrack, the story itself and the concept is wow, wow, wonderful.
Heaven is a place on Earth is eerily an apt song to this episode because it's actually about heaven as a place on Earth, except virtual. Imagine you could live an eternal life. That to me is not so appealing because who can make sense of forever? But the two characters in this episode have all the reasons to pass their life over this virtual heaven. It touches my heart just thinking about it lol. Aside from the fact that they (Kelly and Yorkie) love each other, Yorkie wasn't able to life her life fully in her real life because she was paralyzed from a car accident, and Kelly chose to be trapped in a committed marriage even if she had feelings for her same gender. Basically, their first try of living their life was a mess, and
San Junipero offers them to have another chance at life, and of course, love. Isn't that a genius concept? Then it has Mackenzie Davis and Gugu Mbatha-Raw acting the hell out of these
Carol-esque characters, and are both mesmerizing in it. Not to mention the great cinematography, a filming location I want to go to someday, and Clint Mansell's perfect score. This is a tough episode to beat, but I'm ready for Season 4!
