Black Mirror’s best episode serves as the perfect response to the criticism the show has received. The anthology series is widely considered one of the best sci-fi TV shows of all time, and for good reason. Each episode of Black Mirror tells a different story, so audiences don’t need to have watched previous installments in order to understand the series.
The sci-fi series’ episodes usually dive into technological advancements and their long-term effects on various parts of society. Most of the show’s installments have similar grim conclusions, but there’s an episode in the series that proved to be the exception to this rule. Because of this, “San Junipero” is not only seen as one of Black Mirror’s best episodes, but is also an unforgettable addition to the show.
“San Junipero” Was Written As An Anti-Black Mirror Episode
“San Junipero” Had An Unexpected Conclusion
Black Mirror isn’t a stranger to criticism, as many have argued that it’s too dark or offers an unrealistic, overly negative depiction of technology. When Black Mirror left its first home, BBC Channel 4, and moved to Netflix, the biggest fear from fans and critics was that it would become too Americanized, instead of sticking to its British roots.
The creator’s response to this criticism was the creation of “San Junipero,” the first Black Mirror episode that was set in America. Written by Charlie Brooker and directed by Owen Harris, “San Junipero” focuses on two women, Yorkie (Mackenzie Davis) and Kelly (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who meet in the perfect Californian city. In true Black Mirror fashion, San Junipero isn’t an ordinary place.
Instead, it’s a virtual city where people can go after they die in order to continue their lives in a place that is devoid of the world’s challenges. While speaking to The Daily Beast, Brooker explained the reasoning and inspiration behind “San Junipero.” The writer wanted to push the boundaries of what had been expected from Black Mirror by creating an unusual story that broke the show’s formula.
Brooker refused to run away from the criticism that Black Mirror would be too American after the show moved to Netflix. The writer leaned into it and created an episode that was set in California with characters that weren’t the kind that would usually be featured in Black Mirror. What resulted was an episode that was warm and touching, but still had the sci-fi elements that Black Mirror is famous for.
What Makes “San Junipero” Black Mirror’s Best Episode
“San Junipero” Is A Perfect Black Mirror Episode
Black Mirror isn’t known for being a cheerful TV show. Most of its episodes focus on the bleak side of technology and how it will ultimately ruin our lives. The anthology series often features over-the-top and sometimes disturbing premises that are not easy to watch. While episodes like “Nosedive” and “White Christmas” are fan favorites, “San Junipero” has a special place in the series.
“San Junipero” doesn’t serve as a cautionary tale, unlike so many Black Mirror episodes. Its enduring appeal and why it’s considered the best episode in the show is because of its happy ending. Sure, it has some sad moments here and there, but what matters is that it’s not grim until the very end.
5 Black Mirror Episodes That Still Deserve A Sequel
Black Mirror has many memorable episodes, and though only one has gotten a sequel so far, there are others more than deserving of one, too.
For the first time in Black Mirror, technology isn’t the big bad wolf patiently waiting in the dark corner to devour us, but it’s something that could be put to some good use. Apart from Kelly and Yorkie ending up together in the episode’s conclusion, “San Junipero” has an ‘80s style and soundtrack that made audiences long for the era.
The Black Mirror episode won two awards at the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2017: one for Outstanding Television Movie and another for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special. Ten years after its debut, “San Junipero” is getting a spinoff comic from Twisted Comics, proving that the episode is still a fan favorite.
Source: The Daily Beast
- Release Date
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December 4, 2011
- Network
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Channel 4, Netflix
- Showrunner
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Charlie Brooker
