Black Mirror 101: The 5 Essential Episodes to Binge Before Season 6

Charlie Brooker's dystopian anthology series Black Mirror has mesmerised viewers since the first episode was released in 2011. Delving into the subject of modern technology and ethics, the series received much critical acclaim for its unique and compelling stories and clever use of genre conventions.

While all Black Mirror episodes are spectacular, some of them proved to be more memorable than the others. Here is a list of five episodes that made the most impression on fans, so you should definitely revisit them before Season 6 hits the screens on 15 June, 2023.

5. Fifteen Million Merits

Season 1, Episode 2

IMDb score: 8.0/10

The Season 1 episode offers social commentary on the entertainment industry of today, which uses every aspect of leisure and even criticism of itself to make more and more money. In this episode, consumers of the near future become slaves who only exist to benefit the soulless industry.

4. Be Right Back

Season 2, Episode 1

IMDb score: 8.0/10

In an incredibly tragic way, the episode tackles one theme that is becoming increasingly relevant today — the ethics of using artificial intelligence. After the protagonist's husband dies, she resorts to AI to help her cope with the loss.

3. Nosedive

Season 3, Episode 1

IMDb score: 8.3/10

Exploring the theme of public image in the digital era, the episode shows how different our social media personas are from our real selves. In the episode, the modern trend of giving everything and everyone likes and scores from one to five is exaggerated to the point where it can completely ruin a person's life.

2. San Junipero

Season 3, Episode 4

IMDb score: 8.6/10

Unlike other episodes of Black Mirror, 'San Junipero' is actually more optimistic and life-assuring, as it suggests that technology can still offer a way to improve our world. In a simulated reality where people can live permanently after their death, the characters can reunite and enjoy their happily-ever-after.

1. White Christmas

Christmas special (2014)

IMDb score: 9.1/10

This Christmas special offers a prime example of why Charlie Brooker's series has become such a big pop culture phenomenon. In the typical Black Mirror fashion, the episode tells the story of two residents of a remote cabin who share their reasons for abandoning society. As they delve deeper into their stories, we learn how technology can destroy every aspect of humanity within us.

Black Mirror returns to Netflix this month with five episodes of Season 6, set to be released on June 15.