logline: An anthology series exploring a twisted, high-tech multiverse where humanity's greatest innovations and darkest instincts collide.

Source: IMDb

All of your sci-fi dreams come true in the BBC-turned-Netflix show, Black Mirror. Black Mirror is an ingenious concept, and one of the reasons why we enjoy it so much is because the endless amount of possibilities and stories to tell. While we can’t really talk about any overarching plots as the stories don’t carry between episodes, the series focuses on technology reflects its grasp on our lives today through extreme circumstances in alternate universes. The production in each episode is extremely impressive, and of course we always get to see a cool new use of technology in each episode, like the contact lenses in The Entire History of You, or the simulator in USS Callister. Along with the variety of technology comes a variety of plots and characters, guaranteeing something for everyone. There are happier episodes, like San Junipero and Hang the DJ, unsettling ones such as the blasted National Anthem, and straight up action and thriller pieces like Men Against Fire and… I’m not sure to be honest we haven’t seen all of them…. But luckily for us, we don’t have to! You can always expect some sort of message or commentary on our world through each episode, and the beauty of Black Mirror is that no two episodes are alike. So take a peek into this series to see a dystopian, but not super unrealistic, idea of what the world could be with Black Mirror. Ironically, we learn the dangers of getting too comfy with this “black mirror” by spending our time staring at it - though I have a feeling the creators are well aware of this.

Our favorite characters: this is going to be very difficult, considering the fact that Black Mirror doesn’t have a set storyline, but we’re gonna give it our best shot!

Joe Cole as Frank (Hang the DJ, S4 E4) - what a sweetie. i loved his relationship with amy, and his whole arc was freaking ADORABLE. everyone wants a guy like frank in their lives, if we’re being completely honest.
Bryce Dallas Howard as Lacie (Nosedive, S3 E1) - Nosedive creates one of the most interesting worlds that I’ve seen in Black Mirror, with Lacie being a perfect character for the episode. The evolution of her blind following of the system to her straight rebellion of it is exciting, and I really enjoyed seeing her grow and change. Also, I really loved her relationship with her brother and wish they would make a movie or something in this setting cause the concept is so good.

This show is rated TV-MA. Here’s why:

Sexual Content and Nudity
Violence and Gore
Language
Frightening and Intense Sequences

Favorite Episodes:

sophia: SAN JUNIPERO, aka s3e4. i mean, it won 2 freakin Emmy’s. the 80’s theme, the OUTFITS, and the characters are a biiiiig yes. black mirror episodes tends to be a little on the darker side, but this one (spoiler) actually ends happily! yay! it’s a nice change of pace, and makes you kind of hopeful, which you would not expect from a black mirror. Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis had astounding chemistry, and were both so so so good in their respective roles. the storyline is so cute, and i love the LGBTQ+ representation. the costume designer honestly popped off during this episode, especially with Kelly’s outfits. my style is a little more Yorkie’s speed, but c’mon. you can’t just ignore the fact that Kelly’s absolutely fabulous. i personally would love to live in san junipero after i die, and just have the whole world be back in the early 2010’s. imagine just watching Phineas and Ferb, trading Silly Bandz, and drinking GoGurt Smoothies (to try and win that cruise with the Sprouse brothers, of course) all day? sounds like heaven (on earth) to me.

Ava: If we were going to do a review on Black Mirror, it would be silly to only focus on the happier episodes. Though Hang the DJ remains one of my favorites, the episodes where it gets uncomfortable and a bit scary are the best ones. National Anthem does this, but it’s so …ughh. It makes me shudder and I don’t know if I want to watch it again, but this is not the case with my favorite episode at the moment, White Bear. Disclaimer, I’m not full on spoiling the episode, but if you haven’t seen it I don’t recommend reading this as it spoils some thematic elements of the episode. What makes this episode so good to me is that the situation set up for the main character isn’t questioned - we see everyone filming her while the world has descended into a purge-y, murder-y mess, and assume the message of the episode is something along the lines of people being ignorant to issues happening around them, or something. But when the plot twist comes at the episode’s end it is nowhere near what you expected(at least, I was shocked out of my socks)(socks? idk), and as things are wrapped up everything falls into place so well. As for the message you are left with - it’s a bit ambiguous, and we are left with the choice on whether to side with society or the main character as the sides seem to switch. White Bear is excellent, and remains one of my favorite Black Mirror episodes to date.

Fun Fact: at some point in each episode, a character says the word "oi". we love the uk.

Number of Seasons: 5

Where to Watch:

IMDb and Reddit Thread:

Black Mirror

Derry Girls

The Umbrella Academy - S2