Black Mirror season 7 recaps: All 6 episodes explained

Black Mirror has been one of Netflix's major successes since it first shattered screens in 2011. Fourteen years and seven seasons later, the British anthology series still finds new ways to shock and awe its audience and bring them all the feels.

A brief introduction: I love science fiction. I devoured Isaac Asimov's robot stories as a kid. When the anthology The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One 1929-1964 was first published in 1970, I was enthralled. Television science fiction wasn't quite as good, but it wasn't bad, either. Star Trek is often considered the gold standard of SF on TV, but nothing compares to The Twilight Zone.

There were science fiction shows before The Twilight Zone, and we've seen more than a few since. It's been rebooted several times, but not even the amazing Jordan Peele matched the original series for its overall quality and (admittedly occasional) sheer brilliance. For that, we had to wait for Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror.

Black Mirror season 7 ranks with the very best of the series

Like its predecessor, Black Mirror isn't constrained by an ongoing plot or recurring cast of characters. As such, Brooker is free to delve into whatever topic in whatever manner he wishes. Like Serling before him, he's far more than the creator and executive producer. Brooker has written nearly half of the episodes himself and collaborated on others. This also allows the show to feature an exceptional roster of guest stars for each episode.

Brooker's show has hit virtually every emotion from its start, from the shock of the inaugural episode, The National Anthem, to all the feels of the final episode (so far), USS Callister: Into Infinity. Yeah, a lot is happening in this one, as it's the only direct sequel to one of the previous episodes. I bet you'll never guess which one.

There are some truly heart-rending and beautiful episodes here, too, like season 4's San Junipero. Alright fam, let's see what season 7 has brought.

Episode 1: Common People

Brooker and co-writer Bisha K. Ali (creator of the Ms. Marvel TV series) wrote a near-perfect script for this story of a couple forced to rely on the latest technology to keep one of them alive. Rashida Jones and Chris O'Dowd strike every note to perfection as their frustration turns to desperation.

It's a very dark look at the subscription model for the services we increasingly depend upon and an intense look at how far we'll go to stay together. IMDB rating: 8.7

Episode 2: Bête Noire

Defined as a dark soul, the bane of one's existence, Bête Noire certainly fits. A young food scientist - glamorous, right? - is surprised to see an old school acquaintance reappear in her life. Taking a job at her firm, her former classmate first changes the status quo at her company. Soon, it seems that she's altering reality itself. Like many Black Mirror episodes, it features a twist worthy of Serling himself. IMDB rating: 7.2

Episode 3: Hotel Reverie

This is the first episode of season 7 with a bit more humor. Starring Awkwafina and Issa Rae, what else would you expect? Well, you also get Emma Corrin (Princess Diana in The Crown) as 1940s Hollywood star Dorothy Chambers to bring the pathos. Rae plays modern actress Brandy Friday, who is inserted in an AI-generated reboot of a Hollywood classic.

When things go off-script, trouble ensues for more than the filmmakers. This is by far the most divisive episode of the season. IMDB rating: 6.9

Episode 4: Plaything

Peter Capaldi has been one of the great underrated actors since, well, at least since 1983's utterly charming Local Hero. Here, he's a bit more off than his portrayal of Dr. Who. Driven to continue his work on a ground-breaking computer program- don't call it a game - Capaldi's Cameron Walker takes extreme measures to fulfill the program's completion.

Turns out there's a bit more reality to the story than one would think. This also features a clever callback to the exceptional one-off episode, Bandersnatch. IMDB rating: 7.2

Episode 5: Eulogy

Talk about all the feels. Paul Giamatti stars as a gentleman who's asked to contribute his memories of a former acquaintance for her eulogy. This being Black Mirror, it isn't a simple matter of recording a 30-second video. No, actual memories are required, and dredging them up becomes more and more painful the deeper Giamatti's character goes. Remember what I wrote about all the feels? Yes, all of them. Giamatti has never been better. Never. IMDB rating: 8.2

Episode 6: USS Callister: Into Infinity

This is undoubtedly the episode getting the most early buzz. The original episode from season 4 was one of the show's most popular ever. The sequel does a terrific job of continuing the story in a fresh, new direction while remaining true to the characters of its predecessor.

Everyone is excellent, but the real standout is Cristin Milioti as Nanette Cole, bent on saving her crew in space, no less than her real-life coworkers in the offices of Callister, Inc. Nothing like a lot of corporate greed to bring out the worst in people - and sometimes, the best. IMDB rating: 8.3

My view

Hotel Reverie was my least favorite episode, which matches the audience rating, but I still enjoyed it. Other than the performance of Emma Corrin, all of the acting within the film was quite stilted. I imagine that was the point, to contrast the more natural style of today compared to that of eighty years ago. But in context, it's supposed to be one of the most revered films ever.

No one points to Casablanca or Notorious and complains about the acting. Well, no one who knows anything about movies, that is. I think that was a tonal misstep, Your mileage may - and probably does - vary.

Overall, my views on season 7 are very close to the IMDB ratings. I'd rate Eulogy a tick above Callister, with both trailing Common People as the best of this outing. As many reviews have pointed out, this season has a bit more warmth, compassion, and heart to it than others. It certainly has a lot more tears. But that is a very, very good thing, now more than ever.