Black Mirroris doing a big first in its seventh season with a sequel to one of its most acclaimed episodes, which also gives the show the perfect opportunity to satirize itself. Charlie Brooker’s anthology TV seriesBlack Mirrorhas presented some of the most disturbing scenarios of where the world and society could lead due to the rapid development of technology and the evolution of media. Of course,Black Mirroralso uses these to comment on current social issues and trends, and it will continue to do so in its seventh season.
Black Mirrorhas gotten a lot of praise from critics and general audiences, with episodes like “San Junipero” and “USS Callister”, as well as the interactive movieBandersnatch. Now,Black Mirroris preparing for its seventh season, which will mark a first in the show’s history with a sequel episode.Black Mirrorseason 7will have six episodes, one of them a sequel to season 4’s acclaimed episode “USS Callister.” Plot details about the sequel episode are currently unknown, but choosing “USS Callister” for a sequel givesBlack Mirrorthe perfect chance to satirize itself.
Black Mirror Season 7’s USS Callister Return Is The Perfect Chance To Mock Sequels & Franchises
Black Mirror Knows What It’s Doing With Its Sequel Episode
“USS Callister” introduced the audience to Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons), a brilliant but reclusive programmer and co-founder of the company Callister Inc. The company produced the multiplayer gameInfinity, which Daly uses at home in a modified version where he takes his real-life frustrations out on sentient digital clones of his coworkers. When new programmer Nanette (Milioti) is added to Daly’s modded version of the game, her clone realizes the situation they’re in and finds a way to save themselves and their real-life counterparts.
With the sequel to “USS Callister”,Black Mirrorcan now mock the media in a new way through sequels and franchises.
“USS Callister” has been praised for its tone (as it has more comedy than mostBlack Mirrorepisodes), performances, themes (such as abuse of authority and gender power dynamics), and references toStar Trek. Despite the show’s main focus being technology and its many advancements,Black Mirrorhas also fired shots at the media, as it did in episodes like “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too”, “The Waldo Moment”, andBandersnatch. However, with the sequel to “USS Callister”,Black Mirrorcan now mock the media in a new way through sequels and franchises.
The entertainment industry has been benefiting a lot from reboots, prequels, sequels, and franchises that keep expanding, withBlack Mirrornow doing the same in season 7. Of course,the key to this will be the sequel episode’s story and how it expands the world established by the first episode.
The USS Callister’s Star Trek Influence Makes It Even More Perfect As A Franchise Parody
USS Callister Has Some Very Obvious Inspirations
An important element in “USS Callister” that will helpBlack Mirrorbetter mock sequels and franchises isStar Trek. Although a main inspiration for “USS Callister” was the classicTwilight Zoneepisode “It’s A Good Life” (viaEW),the look of Daly’s digital universe takes a lot fromStar Trek. The design of the spaceships, the costumes, and the technology used within Daly’s version ofInfinityare very much like those in the universe ofStar Trek, so “USS Callister” isn’t just addressing the above-mentioned social themes, butit’s also spoofing one of the biggest sci-fi franchises ever.
The sequel to “USS Callister”, then, it’s not just any sequel episode, but one of an episode that is already mocking a franchise known for its many, many sequels, spinoffs, and expansions. Of course, this also givesBlack Mirrora lot of material to work with in the next “USS Callister” episode, and it’s especially interesting as its main character, Daly, is now dead. Brooker confirmed that, after Daly became trapped in the digital world and physically unable to get out of the game, he died of starvation, also thanks to the “Do Not Disturb” sign on his door (viaDigitalSpy).
This also gives an opportunity forBlack Mirrorto fire shots at the many changes the Star Trek franchise has gone through.
The sequel to “USS Callister” is known to follow the surviving crew members under new leadership (thanks to Nanette), but their problems are just beginning. This also gives an opportunity forBlack Mirrorto fire shots at the many changestheStar Trekfranchisehas gone through, and how not all of them have always been beneficial to it.
Black Mirror Season 6’s Netflix Parody Already Started Turning The Satire On Itself
Black Mirror Recently Fired Shots At Netflix… & Itself
Black Mirrorhas its fair share of complex episodes, and season 6’s first episode is one of them. Titled “Joan Is Awful”, the episode follows Joan Tait (Annie Murphy), who one day finds a new TV show on the streaming service Streamberry calledJoan is Awful. The show is about her daily life, with exaggerated moments for dramatic purposes that, ultimately, hurt her reputation in real life. “Joan Is Awful” gets more and more complex the more Joan learns about the show and those involved in it. In the end,the episode is meta-commentary on streaming platforms, the media, CGI, and AI.
Joan Is Awful Ending Explained: Black Mirror Goes Meta On Netflix
Black Mirror season 6 kicks off with “Joan is Awful”, one of the most meta stories Netflix has produced so far – and here’s what it truly means.
The self-satire ofBlack Mirrorcan now continue with the sequel episode to “USS Callister”, but instead of going after streaming platforms and technology, it can be more about creative and narrative decisions.Black Mirror’s sequel to “USS Callister” has a lot of potential, and it can take the show’s meta-commentary and satire to another level.
