Top 7 Most Disappointing Black Mirror Episodes You Can Skip Safely
You won't lose anything by skipping these inferior episodes of the show.
With Black Mirror Season 7 in active production, now more than ever is the perfect time to revisit the series in anticipation of new episodes. Given the anthology format of Black Mirror, the episodes were created by different people, so it's not surprising that they vary in their approach to plot, visual storytelling, overall tone, and, unfortunately, quality.
We have compiled a list of seven episodes of the show that were so disappointing that no one will say a word to you if you just skip them!
7. Smithereens (Season 5, Episode 2)
IMDb rating: 7.5/10
Our list begins with perhaps the most divisive episode, one that proved solid enough for some and absolutely unacceptable for others. So much so that not even Andrew Scott, who starred in it, could save it.
As a stand-alone story, Smithereens is a fine piece of work, reminiscent of typical British procedurals. Except that the plot delves into so many problems caused by the technologization of society, that the writers ultimately failed to explore any of them.
6. Crocodile (Season 4, Episode 3)
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
In a plot similar to 'The Entire History of You,' insurance companies have the right to access people's memories when investigating claims for compensation. In one of those moments, the investigator met Mia (Andrea Riseborough), who was reluctant to reveal her secrets.
At the end of the episode, the protagonist goes on a killing spree, which completely undermines any ethical judgment — after all, the main villain is supposed to be the privacy invading technology, right?
5. Arkangel (Season 4, Episode 2)
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Jodie Foster is a talented filmmaker. So it came as a shock to many when the episode of Black Mirror she directed turned out to be so shallow. Arkangel's plot revolves around the issue of overprotective and even invasive parenting, where monitoring technologies only have more dire consequences for both children and their parents.
Well, we knew that without Brooker and Foster, which is why the episode turned out to be one of the most boring in the show's history.
4. The Waldo Moment (Season 2, Episode 3)
IMDb rating: 6.6/10
Revisiting The Waldo Moment offers no small amount of interesting insight, as the episode, which tells the story of a ridiculous blue-skinned cartoon bear who became an incredibly popular politician, proved to be quite prescient, especially in the context of Boris Johnson in the UK and Donald Trump in the US. But despite the witty political satire, the plot proved unengaging and unconvincing.
3. Metalhead (Season 4, Episode 5)
IMDb rating: 6.6/10
The black-and-white post-apocalyptic thriller Metalhead boasts great acting (Maxine Peake) and creepy robots inspired by Boston Dynamics' robots. Unfortunately, the episode has little else to offer, and the ending will strike many as nonsensical.
2. Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too (Season 5, Episode 3)
IMDb rating: 6.1/10
Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too proved that Black Mirror doesn't have to be extremely serious to deliver profound messages, as the main message of the Miley Cyrus episode was the problem of the commodification of celebrities and their lives. However, Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too overdid it by being so overly serious that it was simply unbearably cringe-worthy.
1. Mazey Day (Season 6, Episode 4)
IMDb rating: 5.3/10
Mazey Day set a new bar for the worst episode of Black Mirror, failing to please even avid horror fans. The episode failed to convey any meaningful message (we all know paparazzi is an unethical activity), and the final twist simply caused many to drop the show once and for all because of how lazily it was written.