Ranking the Best Episodes from Each Season of Black Mirror

Black Mirror in the landscape of entertainment stands out as one of the most engaging anthology series. It is created by Charlie Brooker, a British science fiction series that explores the dark side of human nature and technology.

Every episode presents a standalone story that explores how advancing technology affects individual lives. The show premiered in 2011 on television before transitioning to Netflix in 2016.

With seven seasons and 30 episodes, the show features social media obsessions, dystopian futures, and artificial intelligence gone wrong. It also received critical acclaim for its compelling performance and sharp writing.

Black Mirror has won a lot of Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Television Movie for San Junipero. The show also received a Peabody Award for its cultural influence.

There were a lot of episodes featuring renowned actors like Bryce Dallas Howard, Jon Hamm, and Daniel Kaluuya. The influence of the series extends beyond entertainment, sparking conversations about the role of technology in society.

Ranking the best Black Mirror episodes from each season

1) Season 1 - The National Anthem

A still from the show's episode The National Anthem (image via Apple TV)

The first season introduced viewers to Black Mirror's unconventional storytelling approach. This episode served as the premiere of the series and soon established the show's willingness to explore uncharted territory.

The episode's premise follows a British Prime Minister who faces a difficult choice. A kidnapper demands to perform a belittling act on live television to save ha beloved princess. The story unfolds in real time as journalist coverage intensifies the pressure from the public.

Moreover, social media escalates the situation, compelling the Prime Minister into an unthinkable position. The episode demonstrates how media and technology can manipulate political authorities and display the true power of public opinion in the digital age.

2) Season 2 - White Bear

A still from the show's episode White Bear (Image via Apple TV)

White Bear counts as the most psychologically intense episode from the second season. The story starts with a woman who wakes up with no memory of herself.

Masked individuals pursue her while bystanders record everything on their phones. The woman desperately seeks aid, but everyone around stays silent and does not help. As she escapes through empty streets, the truth slowly emerges about her circumstances. The episode builds tension through its zombie-like setting and relentless pace.

Black Mirror utilizes this story to examine the themes of punishment, justice, and public spectacle. The last twist reveals a disturbing commentary on how society perceives criminals.

3) Season 3 - Nosedive

A still from the show's episode Nosedive (Image via Apple TV)

Nosedive marked Black Mirror's transition to Netflix with a visually spectacular episode. The narrative takes place in a world where social media ratings determine social status. Lacie seeks desperate ways to improve her ratings and resorts to gaining points by attending her childhood friend's wedding as maid of honor.

Everything turns upside down, and her ratings go down all of a sudden. The episode starts with Bryce Dallas Howard in a career-defining role as the increasingly desperate Lacie.

Black Mirror explores how social media validation can turn into an addiction. The pastel coloured world contrasts sharply with the dark themes. This episode serves as a warning about society's developing obsession with online approval.

4) Season 3 - San Junipero

A still from the show's episode San Junipero (Image via Apple TV)

San Junipero is considered one of the most emotionally uplifting episodes of Black Mirror. The premise of the story follows two women who meet at a nightclub in the 1980s. Yorkie appears coy and inexperienced while Kelly looks outgoing and confident. Their romance develops across various years and musical eras.

The episode gradually reveals that both women exist in a digital afterlife simulation. The elderly people often visit this virtual world before deciding to upload permanently after their demise. Black Mirror presents themes of mortality, love, and digital awareness. San Junipero won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Content. This episode proves the series can deliver hope alongside its typical darkness.

5) Season 5 - Striking Vipers

A still from the show's episode Striking Vipers (Image via Apple TV)

The fifth season of Black Mirror only featured three episodes. And this episode explores virtual reality gaming. The premise of this story focuses on two childhood buddies who reconnect through an immersive fighting game.

Karl and Danny find out they can feel physical sensations while playing as their avatars. Their gaming sessions become extremely intimate, creating confusion about their real-world situation and connection, which is platonic.

The episodes examine identity, sexuality, and the nature of virtual reality. Black Mirror questions whether digital intimacy can be as impactful as a physical bond. The story creates sexual tension between the characters' virtual lives and stress in their actual lives. Striking Vipers displays how technology might reshape human connection in unexpected ways.

6) Season 6 - Beyond the Sea

A still from the show's episode Beyond the Sea (Image via Apple TV)

This episode is the sixth season's most emotionally complicated. Two astronauts work on a space mission while utilizing android replicas to visit Earth. The replicas allow them to spend time with their loved ones while their bodies remain in space. When one astronaut's family is killed, he begins using his partner's replica wrongfully.

This episode stars Josh Hartnett and Aaron Paul in engaging dual roles. Through this episode, Black Mirror explores themes of obsession, grief, and technological dependence.

7) Season 7 - Bête Noire

A still from the show's episode Bête Noire (Image via IMDB)

Bête Noire follows Maria, who encounters her former classmate Verity at work. Verity was once considered an outcast at school, but now appears confident and successful. She starts working at Maria's confectionery company in a senior position. And the power dynamic between the women dramatically shifts throughout the episode.

Maria soon realises that Verity can somehow control every aspect of her life in the most unpredictable manner. Black Mirror examines themes of social revenge and workplace bullying. The story builds to a shocking conclusion that displays the classic trademark dark endings of the show.

Black Mirror continues to challenge viewers with its intense vision of technological advancement. Every season brings fresh perspectives on how innovation might reshape human nature. These seven episodes represent the show's finest storytelling across all seasons.

About the author

Mannjari Gupta is a Listicle writer in the entertainment division at Sportskeeda. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and brings four years of experience in digital media, having worked with platforms like Pocket FM, Pepper Content, FilmyFiles, and BookGeeks.

Mannjari's passion for her field is driven by her belief that different genres fuel her imagination, enhancing her writing skills. She prioritizes thorough research and ethical reporting, ensuring that her articles reflect factual information rather than personal opinions.

Fascinated by powerful female-led empires, she admires figures like the Kardashians and Martha Stewart for their ability to redefine influence and build lasting legacies. If given a time machine, she'd delve into the Kardashian universe, not for the drama but to witness their ability to transform criticism into entrepreneurial success.

Outside of writing, Mannjari is a trained classical dancer specializing in Kathak. She also enjoys reading and relaxing during her leisure time.

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Edited by Mannjari Gupta