Ranking the episodes of Black Mirror season 7.

      Black Mirror is profoundly unsettling yet immensely thought-provoking. The anthology series debuted on Channel 4 in 2011 and later moved to Netflix starting from its third season, establishing creator Charlie Brooker as a creative force. Fans waited four years for a sixth season and nearly another two for the arrival of season seven, which has finally premiered, and it has proven to be worth the anticipation.

      The season consists of six episodes, many of which hark back to the show’s original charm. Black Mirror has always explored technology taken to extremes and the consequences of harrowing futuristic scenarios. Although later seasons leaned more into horror than psychological themes, season seven returns to form, featuring a range of episodes that encompass cyberpunk, psychological thrillers, and profoundly emotional narratives. This season includes a mix of familiar and new faces, along with its first-ever sequel episode. Every episode shines, exemplifying Black Mirror at its best, with some standing out as particularly captivating.

      6. Plaything (season 7, episode 4)

      Nick Wall / Netflix

      The much-anticipated return of Will Poulter as Colin from the interactive film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch turned out to be somewhat underwhelming. While his character plays a significant role, he is only on screen for a few minutes. The main character, Peter Capaldi (with Lewis Gribben appearing in flashbacks), portrays Cameron, a former video game journalist who, years later, is arrested for the cold case murder of an unidentified man. During his interrogation, Cameron reflects on his increasing fixation with innovative software created by Colin. Unlike a traditional game, it features charming Tamagotchi-like creatures known as Thronglets that players must nurture over time. Thronglets function as a collective, breeding and gradually teaching us how to improve as human beings. As Cameron monitors these creatures alongside frequent acid trips, he begins to believe that he can decipher their bird-like sounds and their quest for a better world.

      On a superficial level, the cyberpunk-inflected plot examines video game addiction—Thronglets symbolize in-app purchases, modifications, and endless quests that game developers continuously offer players. However, it more deeply critiques humanity's capacity for collaboration—or lack thereof. “Plaything” subtly critiques society’s dependency on violence and anger, articulating a pressing need for a reset. Though this episode is the weakest of the season with a somewhat abrupt conclusion, Capaldi's performance is so compelling that it demands attention.

      5. USS Callister: Into Infinity (season 7, episode 6)

      Nick Wall / Netflix

      The return of Jesse Plemons’ Robert Daly was a delightful surprise in the series' first sequel episode. In the original, one of the most acclaimed Black Mirror episodes, Daly is a gifted programmer exploited by his business partner, James Walton (Jimmi Simpson). Walton appropriates credit for the immersive video game Daly developed and forces him to work tirelessly to generate more monetizable virtual worlds (which partly explains Daly’s return). Seething in silence and unable to assert himself, Daly finds a dangerous outlet: using a banned DNA cloning device to create sentient duplicates of his colleagues, including Walton. Within this altered game, Daly commands them, keeping them imprisoned while he tortures them relentlessly. However, new skilled coder Nanette (Cristin Milioti) leads a rebellion, allowing the ship to escape and ultimately leading to Daly's demise.

      In the sequel, Nanette and her team battle a multitude of opponents, aiming to steal credits to ensure their survival. As paying subscribers call out these untagged, illegal players for their unauthorized actions, Walton scrambles to eliminate them before his empire collapses. This episode offers a nostalgic return to an Emmy-winning storyline, running as long as a film, and indulging fans with a narrative that feels poised for a potential part three. From Black Mirror's lens, it delves into the influence and obsession of enraged online warriors.

      4. Bête Noire (season 7, episode 2)

      Parisa Tag / Netflix

      It was inevitable that Black Mirror would address the long-term impacts of bullying. This episode, aligning with the series' earlier psychological thriller themes, elevates the familiar high school computer geek trope. Once a socially awkward and bullied teen, Verity (Rosy McEwen) has matured into an unassuming woman capable of manipulating reality to torment her former bullies, such as Maria (Siena Kelly). It offers a poignant commentary on gaslighting, gradually pushing Maria to question her own reality until reaching a dramatic climax.

      The performances by Kelly and McEwen are stellar, showcasing lesser-known talents who interact seamlessly. They remind viewers of the series' historical commitment to elevating emerging British actors previously unfamiliar to American audiences. Despite an ending that leaves a bit to be desired, the message resonates: treat others kindly, especially the intelligent and socially awkward, whose future may one day hold significant power.

      3. Common People (season 7,