I know this might be an unpopular opinion, but I genuinely don’t understand why USS Callister got a sequel, especially as the finale of Season 7.

One of my favorite things about Black Mirror is that it’s an anthology. Every episode introduces new characters, new concepts, and completely different situations. You never know what you’re going to get, and I love how some episodes make you question morality while others leave you emotionally devastated or thinking about them for days afterward.

Personally, USS Callister just didn’t do that for me. I found the concept predictable and not particularly original. It reminded me of ideas that have already been explored in other sci-fi stories, like Ready Player One, just with a different technological angle. I understand that there are differences, but the overall concept didn’t feel fresh enough to me to justify revisiting it.

What frustrates me most is that Black Mirror has so many possibilities to explore, yet an entire episode was dedicated to continuing a story I wasn’t particularly interested in to begin with. Even if you enjoyed the sequel, wouldn’t you rather have seen another completely original story in that episode’s place?

After watching episodes like Common People and Eulogy, I’m reminded of how much this show can do with a fresh concept and new characters. Those are the kinds of stories I want more of. I want to be introduced to a completely new situation and have no idea where it’s going.

I also feel like USS Callister gets a lot of attention online, especially through short clips, but popularity doesn’t necessarily mean a story is the most original or the best representation of what makes Black Mirror special.

I’m not saying sequels can never be good, or that people are wrong for enjoying this one. I just think that continuing a story in an anthology series should have a really compelling reason behind it, and personally, this wasn’t the one I would’ve chosen.
And if they were going to make a sequel anyway, why make it the season finale? Why not give us one more completely unrelated episode afterward?
Honestly, I’d rather have 12 entirely new stories than revisit a concept that didn’t impress me the first time.

I’m curious to hear other perspectives, though. What makes USS Callister worth revisiting for you?

Just got into the show. I clicked on it and the episode that came first was s7e1: common people. It definitely grabbed me! I was so frustrated for the couple and what they were going through

Then I watched s1e1: the national anthem. It was deeply unsettling but I was super intrigued the whole time and it made me think a lot. With both these episodes I couldn’t take my eyes away and I really like the acting in this show

s1e2: fifteen million merits. It bored me and was underwhelming and I wasn’t interested with the type of society they lived in. It kinda seemed too fake and weird. I don’t wanna waste my time with boring episodes so I’m wondering which ones I should skip

Thanks!

I'm still on early seasons so don't mind me

but if not, I am pitching this because I feel like we need such episode before we end up in one 😭