Black Mirror’s USS Callister Sequel Misses Star Trek Mark, But 2 Surprises Delight Fans

Caution: The subsequent content reveals spoilers from the Black Mirror Season 7 episode titled “USS Callister: Into Infinity.” To watch it, you’ll need a Netflix membership. Proceed with reading at your own peril!

The hit series Black Mirror returns with another chilling collection of episodes exploring the dark side of technology, and a recent installment caught the attention of Star Trek enthusiasts. Anticipation ran high for the sequel to the Emmy-winning “USS Callister” episode, especially among dedicated fans of the parodied franchise. However, “USS Callister: Into Infinity” didn’t quite live up to the original as a Trek tribute, but I found two significant ties to acting and direction that I appreciated.

Although this episode is terrific and serves as an impressive sequel to the original “Star Trek”, fans who are eagerly anticipating new “Star Trek” series might find themselves underwhelmed. The overall vibe of the episode seems to pay tribute to “Fortnite” rather than Captain Kirk, yet it is still worth watching for the reasons I delve into below.

Jimmi Simpson Plays A Villain Just Like In Star Trek: Prodigy

I’ve been a dedicated fan of Jimmi Simpson throughout his career, admiring the versatility he’s shown in roles ranging from Westworld to It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. However, I was taken aback when I saw him included in the voice cast for Star Trek: Prodigy, and my surprise grew even greater when I heard him deliver the Drednoks with that deep, gravelly tone.

It wouldn’t be accurate to label Simpson’s role in “USS Callister: Into Infinity” as a cameo because his character appeared in an episode that was produced before the idea for Prodigy was developed. However, what makes this different is that we get to see more of Simpson as the real James Walton, who is much less noble and far more sinister than his virtual counterpart. Additionally, he looks quite scruffy in the role, which hasn’t been seen since his last portrayal of Liam McPoyle. But the villainous aspect of the character is what made me, a Star Trek fan, particularly happy.

The Episode’s Director, Toby Haynes, Is Working On An Upcoming Star Trek Movie

Fans of Trek, who were considering skipping the Season 7 episode of Black Mirror, might want to rethink their decision given that Toby Haynes is directing it. This name may ring a bell as he’s also linked to the upcoming Trek prequel film, which is rumored to be hitting theaters, although Paramount has yet to confirm this at CinemaCon 2025. So let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that the movie is still in development!

In terms of its unique filmmaking approach, watching this “Black Mirror” episode offers a hint of what we might experience should Bryan Fuller direct a “Star Trek” film. To put it simply, the space battle sequence and overall sci-fi vibe were quite impressive, and if only Cristin Milioti could be cast in this potential “Trek” project, I believe this movie would be one of her standout performances that fans wouldn’t want to miss.

Among the episodes of Black Mirror Season 7, “USS Callister: Into Infinity” stood out as my top favorite, closely followed by “Common People.” The reason I enjoyed these episodes so much is that they resonate deeply. If you’re a fan of Star Trek, I strongly suggest giving this new season a watch, as we won’t get Strange New Worlds Season 3 until the summer.

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2025-04-14 01:07