Black Mirror is one of the most controversial TV series of recent times. The latest season has received some major backlash and criticism, but the previous ones were acclaimed massively by the critics. ‘Bandersnatch’ released early this year, before the season 5, was still a major improvement in a series, giving the viewer the possibility of deciding the plot.
Each episode of this anthology relates to different aspects of modern life, always with technology in its essence. Whoever accompanies the series, knows that there are some extremely dramatic episodes and other rather lighter and possible episodes that can even bring positive messages about love, friendship or self-knowledge.
There are a lot more episodes to explore, and a lot to explain for each episode, but we couldn’t give you any major spoilers and ramble about how much every episode of Black Mirror is a lesson for us to reflect. Each episode has a conscientious playlist and links between the several episodes that puts the spectators more addicted and attentive to every detail.
Composed with 5 bright seasons contemplated with few episodes each and with astonishing one-hour thriller episodes, if you have not started yet, here are our favorite episodes, without big spoilers for you to start.
1. White Christmas (2014)
Duration: 73 min
Directed by: Carl Tibbetts
IMDB rate: 9,2
White Christmas is the definitive proof that Black Mirror is one of the best series nowadays. The Twilight Zone that we deserve (and want), brings us a Christmas special that definitely does not seek to be “light” due to the festive atmosphere. As usual, it makes us think, filling us with anguish through its criticisms of the technology and society we are becoming. Now, once the critique is over, please talk to the person you love the most (not via social networks) so that we distance ourselves, at least a little, from this disturbing alternative reality.
The special episode begins in a snow hut, inhabited only by Matt (Don Draper, commonly known as Jon Hamm, with his presence on the scene always remarkable) and Potter (Rafe Spall). Solitude, however, did not contribute to an approximation of the two, and although they had been together for some considerable time, now both begin to open prompted by a story of Matt about his past. The narrative structure set here is very interesting, dividing the plot into three distinct acts that function almost as separate chapters of Black Mirror, although all of them connect in the third act.
2. Shut Up and Dance (2011)
Duration: 52 min
Directed by: James Watkins
IMDB rate: 8,5
“Shut Up and Dance” is a suspenseful story that recalls a bit of “White Bear,” an episode from a previous season where a woman is chased and instead of receiving help, is filmed by everyone she meets – we feel bad until there is a revelation at the end. During the episode, Kenny receives from the unknown character challenges increasingly difficult to fulfill they start asking him to take a cake, delivered by another victim of blackmail, to an address and comes to a point where they ask him to commit crimes. Like NFL wagering, this whole episode is a gamble, where the characters keep playing their chips because they have no other option.
Besides deep plot on the episode, the credit also comes from the soundtrack choice as when the devastation of the moment occurs, Radiohead and Exit Music play a huge impact during the scenes. Thom Yorke, lead singer of the band once in an interview said that the song is about two people who fill the same thing as the ruins happen – which is basically what it’s happening in this episode.
3. San Junipero (2011)
Duration: 60 min
Directed by: Owen Harris
IMDB rate: 8,7
Initially, when we are introduced to the two characters that lead the story, we were bothered by the Manichean tone of the female profiles: Yorkie (Mackenzie Davis), the naive young woman, shy and frightened by her sexuality, and Kelly (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) sensual and carefree to follow rules, formed a couple in which differences would become an object of seduction and approximation. And so, it was. The characterization of each character, was so opposite, fulfilling a function that we would only understand at the end of “San Junipero”.
The use of the lyrics on the background music to complement the story was wonderful. The very convincing scenarios in the first part and the switch to the futuristic look on the second was sublime. The sex scene was extremely tasteful and well presented, serving only to advance with the plot and not to explore the female body. This is a love story and that’s what Black Mirror wants you to feel at the end of the episode.