By: Matt Spaulding
I have been hooked on Black Mirror ever since I saw the very first episode (you know the one. Don't pretend you don't. It's that episode!). Charlie Brooker's dark, though-provoking, Twilight Zone-esque series about the potential dangers of technology in society is absolutely one of the best shows of the past few years and I am dying to see the upcoming fourth season.
While no official release date has yet been announced, Empire magazine has hinted that it will likely be December, which would be perfect to get it out by the end of the year so it's still hot off the series' recent Emmy win for the most positive episode it has produced, San Junipero which is not only my favorite episode of the series, but one of my favorite episodes of any series ever. It's fantastic, a shining jewel even among shining jewels.
One thing I am interested to see is what technologies and issues the series will tackle this time around. In the past, many episodes have focused on social media, reality TV and A.I. and I am curious to see if that trend continues or if they will find other things to explore. Either way, I will be on board.
Another thing I am curious to see is something I'm not sure is super well known. On his podcast "Penn's Sunday School," Penn Jillette revealed that he had pitched an idea to Brooker for the series and Brooker had liked it and said he was going to use it. Jillette's original story was called "The Pain Addict" and focused on a reality where it was possible for pain to be transferred to another person via some technology and the main character had become addicted to other people's pain and so started torturing others. No episode in the new season bears that title, but perhaps Brooker changed it in adaptation. Or, perhaps, the episode won't appear this season. I can't wait to find out.
Based on the teaser trailer (which you can view below) the one episode I am reticent about is "USS Callister" which appears to be a Star Trek like episode and doesn't fit within the typical framework of a Black Mirror episode, which usually is an alternate present or a very near future. Nothing about "USS Callister", at least based on the few seconds we get to see of it, looks like either of those and I can only hope it doesn't feel too outside of Black Mirror's wheelhouse.
Check out the teaser trailer and keep your eyes peeled for an official release date. And if you haven't yet, for Pete's sake go binge the first three seasons of Black Mirror! You won't regret it!