Black Mirror seems more relevant than ever, but could possibly see a big change after COVID-19 or whenever the show resumes production. During the first five seasons of the show, series creator Charlie Brooker addressed real fears and concerns that people have in the Digital Age, coupled with sociopolitical twists that seem to foreshadow the immediate future. Black Mirror episodes often remind audiences how cruel the world can be and show how tech-addicted people relate to each other. Oddly enough, the latest episodes of Black Mirror feel somewhat dated for the sole reason that they were produced and released before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. So, what can fans expect from Black Mirror season 6, and how will Brooker incorporate COVID-19 culture, if at all?
Aside from the 2018 interactive film Bandersnatch, only three Black Mirror episodes have released since 2018. In June 2019, the series 5 installments capitalized on current trends with episodes about virtual reality (“Striking Vipers”), social media (“Smithereens”), and celebrity culture (“Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too”). Black Mirror season 5 piqued the interest of Netflix subscribers, but the brand new productions didn’t match the emotional depth of classic episodes like “San Junipero,” “Hang the DJ,” or even the very first episode, “The National Anthem,” in which a politician is blackmailed into performing a lewd act on national television. In “the before time“, as the pre-pandemic years are frequently called, Black Mirror entertained audiences by implying what could happen. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has become a real-life horror story, evidenced by the number of worldwide deaths that have resulted from the virus. Still, life goes on, and there’s certainly a demand for high-quality entertainment that locked-down streamers can enjoy from the comfort of their homes.
In May 2020, Brooker revealed that Black Mirror season 6 was on hold so that he could focus on his “comedic skill set”. The writer-director didn’t rule out new episodes, but stated that he’d rather focus on making himself laugh right now. Given that the world continues to rapidly change, it’s certainly plausible that Brooker has shifted back to Black Mirror conceptualizing. For Black Mirror season 6, one of the important things to consider will be the overall structure. In the past, new seasons have consisted of three to six one-hour episodes. Depending on one’s perspective, a binge could provide a much-needed escape or feel entirely overwhelming. Perhaps it’s best to provide audiences with a full load of Black Mirror episodes, albeit with a few stipulations. A full 10-episode series could be too much, so Netflix audiences may better enjoy a week-by-week approach, which would help people slowly transition to whatever will come next through high-quality, high-concept entertainment.
Looking ahead, Brooker and company will want to focus on specific stories that can extend beyond the basic tech premise. For example, most people know about the downside of social media culture and celebrity culture, so one Black Mirror season 6 episode could perhaps center on someone who is fully detached from technology. How would such a person communicate with others during the COVID-19 age, and how does their mentality relate to their geographical location and financial situation? Right now, it seems like audiences may appreciate stories that are more about practical domestic concepts in 2020. This concept has been brilliantly explored in Shudder’s 2020 Zoom-themed hit, Host.
If “Striking Vipers” is about an escape from reality, perhaps a Black Mirror season 6 episode could focus on locked-down couples who can re-connect through good old fashioned physical intimacy, with some type of tech twist, of course. For new episodes to truly resonate, Brooker will need to anticipate what 2021 society may feel like, rather than exploring COVID-related 2020 tech concepts that could already feel stale.
For Black Mirror season 6, both the filmmakers and performers will need to lose themselves in the stories. Audiences know when certain shows are trying extra hard to be relevant, so Brooker will need to cross out all of his Zoom-themed concepts and really think about how most people will experience life after the pandemic. Instead of making a movie theater episode that includes a mask premise, Brooker should instead explore what the new norm will be beyond the obvious basics. For example, who will build new movie theaters in the future, and what will they look like? Topics like race, gender, politics and mental health are always relevant, so Brooker could essentially write the script for a new way of life with Black Mirror season 6, and thus evolve TV—again.
