Black Mirror Season 7: The Most Jaw-Dropping Episodes Ranked!

Despite numerous horror and science fiction anthology series coming and going through the years, none have quite matched the quality of “Black Mirror“. This show consistently delivers gripping dystopian stories that explore the darker side of technology, featuring some of Tinseltown’s top talents. The most recent season is no exception to this trend.

Combines six compelling episodes that provoke deep thought, marking the latest installment of Black Mirror where we explore the complexities of the human condition and the influence of science on daily life, whether it be positive or negative. However, even though this season’s episodes have significantly raised the bar for quality, only one stands out as the undisputed best.

Season 7, Episode 2, “Bête Noir”

The story centers around Maria, a chocolatier who feels resentment upon the arrival of an intern named Verity. Over time, it’s revealed that Maria was once a bully towards Verity in high school. As secrets come to light, it becomes clear that Maria isn’t as kind-hearted as she seems. This tale underscores the presence of hidden agendas and deceitful individuals in workplaces. “Bête Noir” then delves into Verity’s quest for revenge, but with an unexpected twist.

In a fresh and understandable rephrasing: Verity possesses a tech ability to manipulate reality. This element adds an enthralling narrative twist to the series, suggesting that even smaller stories can be influenced by an inflated sense of power. The application of this technology makes Verity’s actions more fantastical compared to the regular storylines, offering viewers an escape-like experience. Her portrayal as a reality-bender gives her a chilling villainous persona within the show, while underscoring the warning that seeking vengeance can corrupt individuals.

Season 7, Episode 1, “Common People”

The first episode delves into the marriage between Mike and Amanda, as Mike invests in groundbreaking technology that transfers a copy of Amanda’s consciousness into her body following a near-fatal brain cancer diagnosis. Yet, as the company, Rivermind, exploits Amanda for advertising purposes and continues to urge them to enhance their package, Amanda experiences a loss of essence and humanity. Despite this, Mike is willing to make sacrifices in order to conceive a child with his wife.

This narrative presents a deeply moving portrayal of corporations misusing their power at the expense of people, a concern frequently voiced by streamers. Additionally, it serves as a critique of America’s profit-driven healthcare system, where individuals often find themselves in debt to access essential medical care. The story leaves Mike and Amanda grappling with the reality that Amanda has been reduced to a shadow of her former self. Ultimately, it unfolds into a poignant tale that culminates in a heartrending conclusion.

Season 7, Episode 4, “Plaything”

In “Plaything” episode of Black Mirror, fans witness the reappearance of a character. He creates an intelligent game called Thronglets which eventually turns a video game critic named Cameron into a digital extremist. As Cameron forms a connection with the intelligent game, he discusses how AI has the potential to corrupt individuals. The corruption in Cameron escalates to a terrifying apocalypse, serving as a reminder for gamers and coders that human relationships should never be undervalued.

The main idea is that it’s crucial for individuals to venture out into the open, immerse themselves in nature, and build connections with others to avoid becoming overly reliant on technology and losing their human qualities. It also touches upon the dangers of isolation and the influence of the internet, especially the dark web. This thought-provoking piece is a must-see given how deeply digital culture and technology addiction affect people’s lives today.

Season 7, Episode 3, “Hotel Reverie”

In this reimagining of a film within a digital realm, Brandi finds herself enamored with the vintage actor Dorothy Chambers from the 1940s. Their love story unfolds amidst the backdrop of an exploration of existential questions and emotional vulnerability, making it a unique tale of same-sex affection. As the system malfunctions, they break free from the script, allowing their relationship to flourish over several years, much like in the “San Junipero” episode from Black Mirror’s third season.

In my humble opinion, what truly sets “Hotel Reverie” apart is that it presents Brandy finding love more authentically within its dreamlike confines than in her everyday life. Remarkably, the character of Dorothy evolves to embrace self-awareness, yearning for a life that a Hollywood bound by black-and-white era norms denied her: the bold, queer existence she was unable to live.

The film’s creators are captivated by the developing romance yet determined to steer the narrative towards Brandy’s return to reality, subtly illustrating that sometimes, duty demands we suppress our romantic ideals and function as cogs in a machine.

All in all, “Hotel Reverie” is an endearing tale, even with its divisive finale, where critical decisions are made concerning Dorothy’s sentience.

Season 7, Episode 6, “USS Callister: Into Infinity”

Enthusiasm ran high among fans when news broke about the sequel to “USS Callister.” This time around, we’ll see Cristin Milioti reprise her role as Nanette Cole, joined by her digital doppelgangers. It promises to be a visually stimulating journey filled with galaxy-wide skirmishes reminiscent of both _Star Wars_ and _Star Trek_. As Nanette navigates the turmoil, she’s also grappling with finding a way to prevent their termination and demise in the latest version.

In a clever manner, the creator of Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker, subtly unveils shocking revelations about Jesse Plemons’ character, Robert Daly, and other aspects of the story. This ties together the origins of the game, their partnership, and an array of chilling secrets concerning digital slaves. The unexpected twist not only reinforces the theme from the original episode – the corrosive influence of wealthy corporate tycoons as they relentlessly expand their empires – but also suggests that more Black Mirror sequels should be produced to further explore captivating ideas.

Season 7, Episode 5, “Eulogy”

In the captivating realm of “Black Mirror,” many episodes delve into the chilling or melancholic aspects of technology. Yet, there are instances where this medium serves as a beacon of hope, inspiration, and positivity, such as in the episode titled “Eulogy.” In this heart-wrenching tale, Paul Giamatti’s character, Phillip, utilizes advanced technology to revisit his past, confronting not only a shattered romance but also his own self-centered actions.

As he navigates through these memories, he strives to unearth tender moments from a bygone relationship to craft something heartfelt for the eulogy of his late ex. In this journey through his personal history, Phillip comes to recognize the need for atonement in addressing his own transgressions.

This narrative explores how individuals can emotionally manipulate others by convincing themselves they are the wronged party, despite their inflated sense of self-importance. The tale concludes with a poignant, empathetic finale where Philip finds resolution and absolution as he learns to become the man his ex would have admired. Navigating this journey towards self-awareness is challenging, but it’s an essential one that highlights how, regardless of technology, we must let go of our egos, be receptive, and practice kindness.

All seven seasons of Black Mirror are streaming on Netflix.

2025-04-19 01:06