Before this rank gets underway, I must issue a disclaimer, specifically regarding the title. It seems incorrect and inaccurate to deem any episode of Charlie Brooker’s anthology series Black Mirror the “worst”, as the show has come to prove itself as one of the most fascinating and intriguing concepts on television in the past years. While there may be some flaws and dips in quality (I’m looking at you, The Waldo Moment), it is frankly harsh to regard any episode as stone-cold bad. But, each episode brings forward a new concept, a new style, and in some cases a new reality, so it seems fair to ask, which one is the best? Which is the worst? Find out below:

The Waldo Moment (S2E3)

Arguably the only significant blip in the Black Mirror series. Yes, it’s entertaining, but the ideas are often half-baked, the story is underwhelming, particularly in comparison with other episodes, and the blue cartoon bear, Waldo, is infuriating to watch at times, which is not considered a good sign if you’re the title character. Not to mention there lacks a presence of any standout acting performance, despite a strong monologue from leading actor Daniel Rigby towards the end, by the time the credits roll, you don’t feel the impact that you should feel at the end of a Black Mirror episode.

Men Against Fire (S3E5)

Men Against Fire, if anything, is an unfortunate episode, by coming so late in the series, any seasoned Black Mirror viewer wouldn’t grimace, or feel a shock as the episode ends, so it also falls victim to a lack of impact. The location, setting and its ideas are genuinely fascinating, but it is bogged down with slightly predictable plot elements and uneven pacing. But, a strong supporting performance from Michael Kelly does bolster its standings.

The National Anthem (S1E1)

So, how does Brooker introduce his brand-new anthology series to a tame Channel 4 audience? That’s right, ­pig-fucking. All jokes aside, the parliamentary setting coupled with the outrageous idea gives us that satisfying juxtaposition we deserve from Black Mirror episodes. However, it seems that edginess was more of a target for this episode rather than the social messages that we love so much from Black Mirror; the first episode shows some teething problems

Hated in the Nation (S3E6)

This is the point where each episode gets good. This Black Mirror episode (rightly a movie, with a running time of 90 mins) provides us with a strong balance of mystery and fuckery that we so desire from Brooker and company. Another interesting concept (at this point, what isn’t?) that’s executed well by an ensemble cast including Kelly McDonald and Faye Marsay, which is rather unusual for the nature of this show, and its social messages are, while dramatised, trenchant and astute. However, with such a long running time, you cannot help but think that the episode could have been condensed at several points, to make it a tad more focussed. Still, it succeeds.

Playtest (S3E2)

In Playtest, Brooker tries his hand at a horror/thriller episode, and succeeds for the most part, despite some far-fetched ideas and an ending with a fuddled message. However, the episode provides some quality entertainment, as Brooker leaves the story open enough to divert into any direction he pleases, showing the mastery of his craft, and oftentimes leaving us palpitating at the mere concepts that are thrown in front of us.

Fifteen Million Merits (S1E2)

Probably one of the quirkiest episodes of Black Mirror in the show’s tenure. Coming in at an unusual running time (just over an hour when every episode in the first two seasons was close to 45 minutes), Fifteen Million Merits sets us aback with an thoroughly interesting concept, a standout breakthrough performance from Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya, and its subtle arguments tackling the very nature of media obsession, totalitarianism and the police state. However, the episode suffers from repetition and an uneven pace at times, which is why this standing is a reach.

Shut Up and Dance (S3E3)

One of the most shocking, exciting and realistically disturbing episodes from the entire series. The concept, about a kid who becomes commanded by the internet hackers that infiltrate their way into his “lifestyle”, is all too scary as a possibility to happen. Hell, it could happen tomorrow. Shut Up and Dance drives that idea home, throwing in a twist that drastically changes your perspective, and an interesting concept of intertwining that helps tie the basis of the episode together. creating a true Black Mirror escapade that’s crammed full of action, despair and excitement.

White Bear (S2E2)

As in Shut Up and Dance, White Bear introduces the idea of twisting the story in such a way that our villains can become heroes, and our heroes, villains. White Bear executes this in an astounding fashion, uncovering itself as one of, if not THE most brutal episodes of the entire show, reinforcing its messages right from the beginning and carrying them through to the brain-numbing ending. A fantastic episode, but it’s harsh nature might leave Black Mirror tasting off for a week or so.

San Junipero (S3E4)

The notoriously famous San Junipero is somewhat detached from the remainder of the show’s ethos (the technological aspect only coming at the second half of the episode), but it does not detract from the fact that this episode is nothing short of a wonder. With its sharp observations, exciting concepts and especially a relationship that does not claim to be as fictionalised or dramatised as other television shows would want same-sex relationships to be. It is a pure, heart-wrenching relationship, spearheaded by Mackenzie Kelly and the fantastic Gugu Mbatha-Raw. It is a normal, uneccentrified (I made that up) display of love that could make even the hardest of hearts double-take.

Be Right Back (S2E1)

Every now and again, Black Mirror needs an episode to bring us down to Earth, to leave us reflective and despondent by the time the credits roll. Be Right Back is that episode, giving us not only its standard, strong messages on the downfalls of our technology, but an agonising portrayal of grief, love and acceptance, fronted with Hayley Atwell giving us one of the best performances of the entire show, and Domhnall Gleeson very strongly portraying a sort of robot/human amalgam. It’s real, it’s touching, and it’s brilliantly executed drama.

Nosedive (S3E1)

Brooker opens Season 3 with a bit of a culture shock; instead of a gritty English city, we are thrown into a dystopian American village set in a future era that represents almost no reality that we have now. However, this does not hinder, in fact it benefits the episode to perfectly execute all of its ideas. From the beginning, it’s light and fruitful, but it develops into something darker (not White Bear levels but it’s acceptable), creating an entertaining journey from start to finish. The message, focussed on our dependence on “social media score”, is strong and clear (despite being unintentionally rehashed from a 2014 episode of Community), giving us one of the best stories and concepts of the series. Spearheaded by Bryce Dallas Howard giving the series’ best performance, this all culminates in a truly fantastic episode of Black Mirror.

The Entire History of You (S1E3)

The irony of The Entire History of You being the only episode not written by Charlie Brooker (instead written by Peep Show’s Jesse Armstrong) is brought up more than often when discussing the episode. This doesn’t detract from the fact that The Entire History of You is the best written of all Black Mirror episodes. The fantastic ensemble cast perfectly exhibit the subtlety and nuance of Armstrong’s outstanding screenplay, giving us, not just a spectacle, but an experience of retreading our past and discovering our deepest hidden flaws. Once again, Black Mirror creates a scenario that’s real, but it is best so here. Its message is effortlessly woven in throughout, producing nothing short of a masterpiece.

White Christmas (Special)

White Christmas purely exists to demonstrate the very essence of Black Mirror. White Christmas is an episode that brings everything down to brass tacks. Featuring several intertwining stories that demonstrate a moral ambiguity that we all face, simplified by a setting of two men sitting in a snowy log cabin. It’s exciting, worthy to behold, and it keeps us glued to the screen as we try to discover more. With fantastic leading performances from Jon Hamm and Rafe Spall, White Christmas gives us everything we need from Black Mirror; a well-conceived plot, thought-provoking concepts, and a mind-bending twist that leaves us reeling towards the end. These conventions three times over, each for every intertwining story (except for the twist), and what is produced is truly Brooker at its best. We get comedy, we get drama, we get thrills. As close to perfection a Black Mirror episode can get.

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