When Netflix released the first two seasons ofBlack Mirrorback in 2014, audiences did not know what to think. The series begins with a dark political satire that ends with a government official having sex with a literal pig, and the rest of the series draws attention tocorrupt social constructswithin our own society. As fans of black comedy and dry humor quickly jumped on the bandwagon, others were a bit more reserved while watching the series. Since then, Charlie Brooker, the creator of theBlack Mirror, has given us four more seasons and two special episodes — one of which is a choose-your-own-adventure tale.
On the surface, it seems like none of theBlack Mirrorepisodes connect except fora few Easter eggsand the fact that each storyline highlights an issue we have in our own technologically advanced world. However, when comparing the six seasons to one another, it is fairly easy to tell which ones have a better hold on an audience than others. Here are the currentBlack Mirrorseasons, ranked.
6Season 5 (3 Episodes)
Individually, the three episodes that make upBlack MirrorSeason 5 are interesting. “Striking Vipers” focuses on the concept of virtual reality taking that next leap into becoming a full-fledged alternate reality where all of one’s senses can be utilized. “Smithereens” gets a little too real with how far someone will go to get what they want, even if that means killing themself and others. Lastly, Miley Cyrus starred in the final episode, and she is a fun choice for playing the pop star Ashley O that fights to reclaim her status.
However, there were no clinging-to-the-edge-of-your-seat moments or twisted endings that left you wanting to immediately rewatch one of the three episodes. A true fan cannot deny that these storylines are unique, but in comparison to the former seasons, there is no “wow” factor here that shocks viewers.
Related:10 Anthology Sci-Fi Series to See Next if You Liked Black Mirror
5Season 1 (3 Episodes)
ThoughBlack MirrorSeason 1 set the tone for the successful show, the episodes within it fall flat in comparison to many of the other seasons. They start off slow, but given that this was a piloted season at the time, it makes sense to build characters and suspense to draw an audience in. The single aspect that connects the episodes in the first season is that they each have a male lead — Michael Callow, Bing, and Liam — that each feel compelled to take action towards something.
Prime Minister Callow is blackmailed into have sex with a pig on live TV, Bing goes against the grain of the system and violently voices his opinion about his alternate reality, and Liam wrestles with truly trusting his partner or forcing her to show him, through a device in her eyes, how she’s betrayed him. The social constructs (blackmail, corrupt entertainment, and infidelity) that are challenged inBlack MirrorSeason 1 are unfortunately common in our world, but this series exploits them to the extreme.
4Season 2 (3 Episodes)
Black MirrorSeason 2 was definitely a step up from season one with twisted endings. Right off the bat, the first episode deals with an extreme version of AI, where a pregnant woman is able to purchase a physical clone of her deceased boyfriend. Things go wrong fairly quick (as fans expected), but instead of getting rid of the android, she stores him away in the attic and allows her daughter to go see him on the weekends like a sick custody agreement.
“White Bear” then follows up with having aneven more disturbing ending, where the prison system has significantly changed, and some of us can’t decide if it is for the better or worse. Lastly, the third episode, “The Waldo Moment,” is a political satire that pokes fun at how much faith and blind trust people are willing to put into a presence on the screen.Black MirrorSeason 2 has more plausible storylines, and that is the real horror that the writers and directors wish for fans to take away.
3Season 3 (6 Episodes)
Until Season 3, none of the episodes within theBlack Mirrorseries were given a true “happy ending.” While only three of the six episodes of Season 3 end on an upbeat note, all the episodes are rooted in how technology changes lives. “Nosedive” and “San Junipero” allow their women protagonists to find bliss in their new realities. The pedophile in “Shut Up and Dance” gets what he deserves in the end — which makes for a happy ending for the viewers rather than the character who committed the act.
Then, there is the other half ofBlack MirrorSeason 3 that stays true to fans' expectations. Endings are harsher and more twisted. By the end of the season, audiences should be questioning how far we are going with technology on a social level as well as within our own governments. The very thing we have created and utilize every single day can bring people together, but it can also destroy our very own race if we let it.Black Mirroris here to remind us of that.
Related:Black Mirror’s Charlie Brooker Tried to Use AI to Write and Episode for the Show
2Season 4 (6 Episodes)
Black MirrorSeason 4 feels a bit more experimental with aStar Trek-like episode, “USS Callister,“starting off the six episodes, and then there is a black and white episode titled “Metalhead” dedicated to robot dogs. Like Season 3, there are some happy endings, but there are several harsh truths to be faced when dealing with extreme versions of the technology we possess today. Fans will go through a rollercoaster of emotions with this season as they witness an overprotective mother get beat by her own daughter, a woman who will stop at nothing to clear her name, and a couple of young adults who decide to say “screw the system” and run away together only to step into a new reality.
The finale ends on an interesting note where fans want to root for the infinite torture of a man, but something still feels wrong about it. Then again,Black Mirroris meant to make people question their own moral codes, right?
1Season 6 (5 Episodes)
Black MirrorSeason 6 comes in at number one on this list for a few different reasons. It has twisted plots, there is quite a bit of gore, and there are supernatural elements added. However, what makes this season stand out from the rest is the “shock factor” that leaves one speechless during several of the episodes. Without giving away too many spoilers, there are times when fans are interested in the content, but they believe that they already know the ending. Then, within the last couple of minutes, the tables turn and as the credits roll, people find themselves without words.
Something that is noteworthy (again, without too many spoilers) is that the season kicks off with a meta episode that makes viewers question if they should continue watching Netflixanymore or get rid of the streaming service altogether.Black MirrorSeason 6 ends on a satisfying note, but fans do hope this is not the true end.
