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Black Mirror is a British anthology series that is created by Charlie Brooker. The show has received widespread acclaim from critics and fans for its storylines that comment on the disadvantages of modern technology and its intrusion in one’s daily life. The show also deals with other prescient topics like privacy, identity, and sexuality. Known for its chilling plots and searing direction, the show has been able to create many groundbreaking episodes in its seven seasons. However, sometimes Black Mirror also misses the mark. Here are 10 Black Mirror episodes that have been unable to gain memorable status due to some failings.
The Waldo Moment, Striking Vipers, and other Black Mirror episodes that are forgettable
1. Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too
The first episode on this list comes from the fifth season’s third episode. In each season of Black Mirror, there are some episodes that falter or lack. In the fifth season, this episode could not woo the viewers, even though it had pop star Miley Cyrus. The episode revolves around Miley Cyrus, who plays the pop singer Ashley O. The episode is about her story as she is a troubled artist and has her own traumas, which the music industry cannot understand. Another plotline of the episode focuses on two of her fans, who are the teenage sisters Rachel and Jack Goggins. The episode also focuses on a popular doll, “Ashley Too”, which the sisters have and is a clone of Ashley O’s persona. While the moral behind the episode is important as it targets toxic celebrity culture and the disadvantages of technology, which can hamper someone’s mental health further, the episode has received criticism for Cyrus’ lackluster presence and a predictable storyline.
2. Men Against Fire
Another episode of Black Mirror that has received some mixed reviews is the third season’s fifth episode. The episode has a chilling exposition as it focuses on a future of war and soldiers who are sent to kill enemies called “roaches”. These roaches are mutated creatures which are dangerous for humans. Amidst all this, the episode focuses on a soldier, Stripe, played by Malachi Kirby, who begins to question the need to use such brutal methods on the enemies. He even questions the morality behind these methods. However, the episode’s shocking plot twist reveals that the mutated creatures are just people from a marginalized group and the soldiers have an implant inside them that causes them to perceive the enemies as roaches. While this episode of Black Mirror takes a strong stance against government propaganda and the illegal use of technology, the episode falters because of its clunky narration, its repetitive and dragging nature, and the twist being explained to the viewers by Michael Kelly for a good ten minutes. Further, Kirby seems to be robotic in his role and that affects his inner turmoil being represented.
3. The Waldo Moment
The second season’s third episode of Black Mirror has always received mixed reviews for its plot and direction. The episode is about a troubled comedian, Jamie, played by Daniel Rigby, who is known for depicting a blue, animated bear called Waldo on a TV show. However, Jamie’s life changes when an interview with a politician inspires him to enter the political race as Waldo. Things quickly change as he didn’t expect to win but the character of Waldo rises up the ranks steadily. The episode might have befuddled some viewers about its political message but it is a prescient watch about the state of global politics. While the performances by the actors are believable, it is the third act of the episode that takes a hit. Many viewers and critics have noted the mid-credits scene, which did not fit the episode. However, another issue with the episode is how it wraps everything up in a neat close without resolving or shaking anything up. Viewers are still divisive over its political message and satirical approach.
4. Metalhead
The rise in technology, especially robotics technology, has created a fear in many people’s minds about how advanced robots are becoming and that too, rather quickly. Season 4’s episode 5, plays into these fears. The Black Mirror episode is a little different than the rest as it is a short episode and is shot in black-and-white. The episode portrays a future where society has collapsed and everything is ravaged. The human survivors have to scavenge for food and survive and have to protect themselves from robotic “dogs” that target and hunt humans. Amidst all this, one character, Bella, played by Maxine Peake, has to save herself. While the episode targeted an important issue, it received criticism for its short length and lack of a compelling plot, especially because Black Mirror is known for its intricately-crafted plots.
5. Striking Vipers
Featuring Anthony Mackie and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Danny and Karl respectively, the first episode of the fifth season has an all-Black main cast. This episode of Black Mirror is about the friendship between Danny and Karl and who play the video game “Striking Vipers X” to reconnect. However, the game allows its viewers to feel pain or pleasure. This leads to complications as Danny and Karl become intimate in the virtual world, while their real-life relationships get complicated. While the episode explores sexuality, deviance, and non-traditional bonds in the age of technology, it is not a fan-favorite episode. While the episode is thoughtful, it does not have the mind-bending and emotional resonance that some of the show’s other episodes have.
6. Mazey Day
The sixth season of Black Mirror has remained the most divisive of all the installments. While the creators tried to do something new by incorporating the supernatural and including bizarre plot twists, the viewers and critics did not like its steering away. The same happened with the season’s fourth episode, which is also the shortest episode in the canon. It is the first supernatural episode in the series. The episode makes a point about the intrusive and chaotic nature of the paparazzi and follows a freelance photographer, Bo, played by Zazie Beetz, who is on the hunt along with others, to get photographs of an actress in hiding. Everyone is lured by the huge cash reward and when they finally find her, things take a turn for the worse. The episode was criticized for its bizarre plot twist and fans did not like that the episode went in a different direction and did not comment on the disadvantages of technology as it always does.
7. Arkangel
The use of technology in parenthood is always a heated topic that brings up many discussions. And this is what happened with the fourth season’s second episode. Even though the episode was directed by Jodie Foster, the episode could not turn its important message into something extraordinary. The episode was criticized for underdelivering and being bland. The episode focuses on Marie, played by Rosemarie DeWitt, who opts for an experimental implant to monitor her young daughter Sara. However, things take a dark turn when this unprecedented level of surveillance causes some dire consequences. This episode of Black Mirror focuses on the ethical dilemmas of controlling a child without their will and knowledge and viewers were shocked by its controversial ending, which has remained divisive.
8. Crocodile
One of the most visually stunning yet darkest episodes of Black Mirror, this one is the fourth season’s third episode. The episode introduces the evil character of Mia, played by Andrea Riseborough, who has a dark past. She helped a friend cover up a hit-and-run death. While she now lives a life of ease, her past catches up with her due to the introduction of a police technology, called the “Recaller”. The technology allows for individuals’ memories to be projected so that others can see it. Therefore, Mia is now in a state of threat. The episode of Black Mirror looks at how depraved people can get to protect themselves as Mia turns into a serial killer and goes to great lengths to cover up her past. While the episode is a tense thriller, it is the ending that has divided fans. The twist ending and the nature of revelation did not captivate the viewers as it does not balance the dark humor that was created for the episode.
9. Loch Henry
Another episode from the sixth season of Black Mirror that did not hold up well to the viewers’ expectations is the second episode. The episode is about film students and romantic partners Davis (Samuel Blenkin) and Pia (Myha’la Herrold). The duo travel to Scotland to work on a documentary about eggs but pivot when they get interested in a local murder mystery. The episode focuses on Davis, who realizes that crimes have been a longstanding part of his family history and he has to go through some terrifying events. The episode from Black Mirror does a good job of mocking the viewers’ obsession with true crime. Like other episodes from season 6, this episode also does not deal with any futuristic tech and instead explores human nature. While the episode has enough of twists and turns it is let down by the pacing and the dialogue.
10. Demon 79
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Another episode from Black Mirror's sixth season that has some failings is the fifth episode. It is one of those episodes that does not delve into futuristic tech and instead, delves into the territory of supernatural horror. Plus, it has a twisted sense of humor. The episode is about a reserved sales assistant Nida (Anjana Vasan), whose life changes when she releases a demon called Gaap and he informs her that she must kill three people to stop the world from ending. The episode is set in 1979 and pays homage to many of the tropes and horror fiction of the decade. While the cinematography is top-notch and its commentary of anti-immigration politics is important, it did not impress the viewers a lot. While the episode is experimental and playful, it seems that critics and viewers wanted Black Mirror to return to its original roots.
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