Black Mirror Season 7: Tech Takes a Backseat, Emotions Take Over

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Each time a fresh season of Charlie Brooker’s most popular work, “Black Mirror,” arrives, it seems like celebrating Christmas. Admittedly, Black Mirror Season 7 appears to be somewhat distinct – yet this change isn’t necessarily unwelcome.

It’s hardly an exaggeration to say that some of the most impressive television episodes from the past decade have originated from Black Mirror seasons. Titles such as San Junipero, White Bear, and Shut Up and Dance are now deeply ingrained in popular culture, leaving a lasting impression on viewers with their chilling themes. The mere concept that technology could bring about changes of such magnitude leaves one feeling overwhelmed.

When you’ve watched seven seasons of an addictive TV series, it’s understandable that fresh ideas might become scarce and some themes may recur. Given the nature of Brooker’s anthology series where each episode presents a new tale, one can imagine him working tirelessly into the night, ordering pizza to fuel his creative mind for yet another round of idea generation. The obvious revisiting of themes this time around significantly alters Black Mirror’s unique character.

The show, originally a legitimate sequel in the sci-fi movie spoof USS Callister: Into Infinity, has evolved over time. Subtle references like Will Poulter’s Bandersnatch character in Plaything are found throughout. By 2025, fans have become less surprised, but when Brooker decides to tug at heartstrings, it’s enchanting.

What is Black Mirror Season 7 about?

Six stories are currently unfolding here, so let’s move quickly through them. “Common People” focuses on a pair who experiment with an unconventional lifestyle service after one of them experiences a near-fatal brain aneurysm, while “Bête Noire” explores the Mandala effect taking shape in an intense office rivalry reminiscent of the classic film “Mean Girls.

Hotel Reverie immerses a top Hollywood star into an artificially intelligent replica of a 1940s film set, pushing them to the brink in this exhilarating experience. Our ‘Plaything’ serves as our own Black Mirror-esque moment, exploring the work of Colin Ritman produced after his mental breakdown and its impact on the future of gaming journalism.

Lastly, Eulogy portrays Paul Giamatti recalling memories of a deceased loved one by physically entering old photos. The storyline in USS Callister: Into Infinity is clearly discernible, continuing months after the initial episode. As our digital selves scavenge for resources in the real world, we are compelled to battle for survival since the truth about Robert’s troubled personal life starts to unravel.

Can Black Mirror really disturb us anymore?

To clarify something first: It’s important to note that the term “bad” may not accurately describe any episode of Black Mirror. There are only two episodes across all seasons that didn’t quite hit the mark, and they aren’t part of Season 7. Regardless, each of the six journeys into a dystopian future is engaging, so you can rest assured that you won’t feel as though you’ve squandered your time by watching them.

In essence, we can break down the seasons into three main groups. There are episodes that were enjoyable but delved into themes similar to those previously explored by Black Mirror, there are decent episodes, and then there are outstanding ones. An uneven distribution of 3:1:2 categorizes the trio, leaving Season 7 in a somewhat neutral position overall.

Our collection, which I’ve coined as “the ordinary”, includes episodes such as Common People, USS Callister: Into Infinity, and Bete Noire. While these stories are well-crafted, they fail to leave a lasting impression. Common People is essentially a medley of Black Mirror’s most popular themes, yet it fails to deliver the shock factor that made those elements memorable in the first place. Themes like Dum Dummies and Rivermind have already been explored more effectively elsewhere.

The much-anticipated follow-up, USS Callister: Into Infinity, feels like an unnecessary continuation of the original tale. While it’s possible to extend a narrative, not every story should be prolonged. We find ourselves revisiting familiar lessons learned from Infinity, and unfortunately, the journey doesn’t offer any fresh insights. The series, Bete Noire, ultimately falls flat as its concluding scenes lack impact. Watching the predictable climax unfold is disappointing, as the build-up to a conclusion we’ve anticipated all along fails to deliver.

Given that half the season has passed, it’s worth pondering: In an era where our daily lives are scarier than many horror films combined, does Black Mirror have the power to unsettle, shock, or frighten us anymore? We seem to be living in what earlier seasons predicted as future reality, leaving us desensitized to any remaining hints of dystopian terror.

To be honest, I’m not convinced it will happen, but there are instances where discussing technological dominance makes sense, like in the case of Plaything. Episode 4 falls into our “good” category, and Peter Capaldi delivers an exceptional performance towards its climax. The episode excels not just because Colin Ritman is back (though his presence certainly adds value), but because the technology portrayed is far more captivating than other types we’re encountering.

The potential for storytelling in this setting is vast, and Black Mirror’s promotional efforts are capitalizing on that. A “secret project” from 1996 is being hinted at through the QR code on the poster, but we don’t know where it leads yet. It seems that following Charlie Brooker’s approach is the best strategy for episodes like these. Instead of merely exploring the future, one should challenge and reimagine it.

There’s a lot of room for interesting stories in this place, and Black Mirror is using that potential in its marketing. A secret project from 1996 that’s hidden in the poster’s QR code is being hinted at, but we don’t know what it means yet. It looks like copying Charlie Brooker’s style is a good idea for episodes like these. Instead of just showing what the future might be like, one should try to change and improve upon it.

Eulogy and Hotel Reverie are standouts for the same reason

In a new twist, Black Mirror Season 7 earns the “great” label in our categorization as it predominantly explores emotions rather than focusing on technology itself. Here, technology serves as a tool for depicting love, sorrow, and mourning, taking a supporting role instead of being the main attraction. The episodes Hotel Reverie and Eulogy are prime examples of this concept, and I dare say you won’t be left unmoved by either.

Brooker is presenting a twist on his typical social critique in these stories. Unlike the common fear of AI leading to global destruction or digital domination, it’s the humans who are falling apart, while their AI counterparts exhibit similar flaws as themselves.

Emma Corrin’s character Clara exemplifies this perfectly. As she evolves into a more self-aware being, her capacity to love increases, yet she struggles with her own sorrowful existence. In contrast, Issa Rae’s Brandy often fails to discern between artificial intelligence and the real world, and her condition at the end speaks volumes about the impact our emotions can have on us – much like in Spike Jonze’s film ‘Her’. The emotional turmoil she experiences mirrors that of unrequited love.

In the series Eulogy, Paul Giamatti encounters a digital replica of himself, which leaves him emotionally shattered in an unprecedented manner. Similar to Hotel Reverie, this narrative underscores that not only humans are imperfect; AI too requires guidance to help us question our deeply held beliefs and values. Through the storyline, we learn how AI can provide answers, closure, love, hope, and a reason for existence – key elements that make Brooker’s contribution in Black Mirror Season 7 so profound and impactful.

TopMob Review Score: 3/5 – Good

Black Mirror’s seventh season showcases a mix of ordinary and extraordinary episodes, yet it consistently delivers an impressive viewing experience after all these years. Admittedly, not every episode will be the standout you expect, but you’ll never find yourself bored, and each one leaves you feeling somewhat more knowledgeable.

If Season 8 is produced (please, Netflix), it’s not about returning to content centered around Britain that’s being suggested by many fans. Instead, it’s about granting Brooker the freedom to shatter our hearts, ruthlessly dissect our emotions, and obliterate our very foundations. This is how the show can continue to terrify us effectively, leaving us truly unsettled.

Currently, you can watch Black Mirror Season 7 on Netflix. To delve deeper into its mysteries, explore the most intriguing Easter eggs from Season 6. If you’re not already a member, consider signing up for Streamberry. And, don’t forget to check out our top-picked episodes throughout all seasons!

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2025-04-10 10:46