It’s been nearly three years since the sci-fi anthology, Black Mirror, has blessed fans with more thrilling stories and reports have hit the internet with announcements of a sixth season in development at Netflix. The dystopian series has boasted a plethora of thrilling storylines and memorable characters.
As the series became more popular throughout its run, there have been more and more noteworthy actors adding to the dynamic. These are sometimes relatable characters, pushed past their limits and put into incomprehensible situations. These characters are the most memorable and noteworthy.
Robert Daly: “USS Callister”
“USS Callister” is one of Black Mirror’s most distinctive episodes. It takes direct inspiration from another 1960’s hit series, The Twilight Zone, specifically the episode “It’s A Good Life,” as well as references to another 1960s classic, the Star Trek series. The audience gets to know its antagonist, Robert Daly, a reserved and passive CTO who lacks confidence.
Robert’s character is complicated. First seen as the underdog, he’s treated poorly at work when he is, in fact, the boss. As it’s realized that he is torturing the consciousness of his employees in virtual reality, he is revealed as a tyrant. It’s unexpected to see a struggling and passive person turn out to be dreadful. Punishing those who don’t give him the respect he thinks he deserves but unwilling to work for it, it’s understood that his false sense of entitlement becomes his ultimate downfall.
Yorkie: “San Junipero”
A different episode than what viewers are used to, “San Junipero” is bright and optimistic. This episode boasts a heartfelt storyline with great music and some of the Black Mirror character arcs that feel most genuine. Because of her triumph in this universe rather than demise, Yorkie is a success story in the Black Mirror universe.
Yorkie has authentic relatability. In life, she’s forced to shy away from her true self, being pulled back from experiencing life as an LGBTQ woman. While in San Junipero, a simulated reality, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The relationship she forms with Kelly is significant in her growth. A woman who learns that loving yourself allows you to be your true self, she shows a life lesson many people embark on.
Lacie: “Nosedive”
Achieving a set aesthetic to gain digital attention is not a new notion. This obsessive nature is amplified in “Nosedive” as Lacie goes to extreme lengths to fit into a mold. Life is a lot easier when rewarded a high rating; entertainment is interwoven with rating people as a necessity over genuine kindness. Lacie embodies this concept.
While rehearsing her laughter, she experiments with what behavior will increase ratings or cause embarrassment. Lacie is relatable not because of her squealy laugh or peach-pink attire, but because she is a slave to her image. She ultimately learns that there is no greater reward than being able to express yourself genuinely, albeit in the worst way imaginable.
Cooper: “Playtest”
A heartbreaking episode, “Playtest” follows the goofy Cooper. Traveling the world and in need of funds to make his journey back home, he is seen taking an odd job at a famous virtual gaming company, linked with previous Black Mirror episodes. Much of the takeaway from these episodes teaches viewers to be wary of technology and its power. This episode shows how people can be victims of the mind’s power and Cooper is a Black Mirror character who just happens to be unlucky in becoming that vessel.
He chooses not to worry about the trauma in his life. It’s clear throughout that Cooper’s nature is light-hearted but he represses the bad parts of his life. The version of Cooper the audience becomes acquainted with is actually a part of his subconscious life flashing before his eyes. The horrors he encounters are made from his own design, taken from his own life.
Rolo Haynes: “Black Museum”
“Black Museum” is regarded for blending elements of past Black Mirror episodes together, producing a very popular episode. Leading the protagonist through the exhibits of his museum is this episode’s villain, Rolo Haynes.
Tech creators in this universe are shown executing designs for consumers. Rolo, however, is the one running preliminary trials, knowing full well testing will have a negative impact. Preying on desperate individuals and using sly language, he says and does anything to take advantage of their struggles. Rolo possesses everything wrong about people in the Black Mirror universe, which makes him such a complex character.
Kelly: “San Junipero”
“San Junipero” is a love story of continuous build and one that is treasured amongst fans. The two protagonists shine a light on the struggles in life from various perspectives. Kelly is a memorable character because of the polar opposite nature from Yorkie, as well as her unlikely similarities.
Kelly’s arc is also centered around being true to self and partaking in things that make you happy. A Black LBGTQ+ woman represented in the sci-fi world also regards her as a noteworthy character. The audience sees her shift from being totally sure of her purpose in San Junipero to finding something she was missing in Yorkie to learning more about herself to then finally finding peace at the end of the episode.
Kenny: “Shut Up and Dance”
Shut Up and Dance is an episode with eerie nods to an omniscient Big Brother episode. Kenny is the main protagonist who is caught looking at inappropriate online footage of minors. This episode left a lot of viewers on the edge of their seats.
Protective over his private life, Kenny is an average teenager who is definitely not tech-savvy. During his struggle to meet the requests of his hacker terrorizer, he continues to rationalize why he is in so much trouble, repeating that he just innocently looked at some pictures. Kenny’s story is an example of how society using modern technology to take justice into their own hands might teeter on what society might deem moral.
Matt Trent: “White Christmas”
Received positively by viewers, “White Christmas” is quite popular. It follows two unreliable narrators with seriously dark secrets that unravel as the show unfolds leaving viewers asking how far is too far when it comes to the use of modern tech.
Matt is a dating coach for guys who have trouble navigating social scenarios. It’s learned that it’s not his day job, but an illegal kind-of hobby. Viewers see that Matt lives a boring and conventional lifestyle at home, alluding to why he probably picked this personal outlet. Using technology designed to make people’s lives better, having access to tools can lead to their misuse and abuse of power. Matt’s knowledge of this technology becomes his ruin.
Nish: “Black Museum”
“Black Museum” is one of the most popular episodes of the series, tying a lot of previous storylines together and introducing a few more horrifying and brilliant ones. Boasting a triumphant character Nish, the reckoning viewers are given through her actions is memorable.
Nish enters the episode as seemingly innocent when it comes to understanding the world of technology. She is curious but calculated. As the episode progresses, there is a clear distinction between good vs evil, when Rolo Haynes and Nish’s true nature is revealed. Fueled by love for her family, audiences are rewarded with her revenge on the museum’s proprietor.
Martha: “Be Right Back”
Another heartbreaking episode, “Be Right Back” challenges how society deals with the passing of a loved one. Falling victim to those pains is Martha, a woman having just lost the love of her life.
Giving in to temptation is easy to do, and the audience sees a character who is defined by her temptation to relive a disappeared love life. A victim of capitalism, Martha is pushed further into using technology to bring back the shell of her lover. The technology is A.I. which mimics the usefulness of J.A.R.V.I.S. in the MCU but lacks the ability to grow and learn. She realizes it can never match up to what was. Tormented by her loss and decision to not move on, Martha ultimately is a repressed character.
