As controversial as it may be, the Netflix series Black Mirror has received a lot of critical acclaim for being both fresh and unusual. Black Mirror is anthology series that explores stories centered on the dark side of technology. The show’s episodes are indeed complex, and the storylines have been well crafted for the most part.Following its release, it didn’t take long for the show to gain some recognition, and it's picked up six Emmy wins so far (it is unclear if series creator Charlie Brooker will deliver more episodes in the future, even amidst fan outcry).At the same time, the series has also attracted a lot of top talent throughout its run. The high-profile cast list includes the likes of Bryce Dallas Howard, Jon Hamm, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Letitia Wright, and Anthony Mackie.That said, not all episodes were received well by fans and critics alike despite all the star power. In fact, Black Mirror’s worst episode even features one major star.
Netflix Gave Black Mirror Freedom To Pursue All Kinds Of Storylines
When Netflix picked up the show (Black Mirror was first produced in the U.K. before Netflix got the rights), they gave Booker and his complete creative reign. It was something that Booker appreciated the most from their partnership.
“When Netflix picked us up, they were keen for us to keep doing what we were doing; they don’t tend to interfere,” he told Screen Daily. “From story to story, we can reinvent the wheel and produce massively different tonal pieces. We have the freedom to do absolutely whatever we want.”
Booker did clarify that Netflix would also take part in the show’s creative process. “They’ve got opinions on everything and they engage a lot, but they’re never prescriptive,” he explained.
For the show, that meant it was able to feature storylines that studios would not necessarily greenlight. In National Anthem, a prime minister has inappropriate relations with a pig.
Meanwhile, the episode Black Museum introduced a way for people to constantly electrocute the hologram of a Black prisoner. As provoking as the images are, they are meant to spur a discussion, which fans and critics appreciate. However, despite the allowance for creative freedom, many veiwers agree that Black Mirror still underdelivered on one episode.
Fans Say This Is The Worst Episode Of Black Mirror
While actors typically receive praise for their stint in Black Mirror, it seems fans are not exactly pleased with the episode that centered around singer/actress Miley Cyrus in the season five episode Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too. It tells the story of a lonely teenager named Rachel (Angourie Rice) who wishes to connect with her favorite pop star, Ashley O (Cyrus). Luckily for her, she is gifted an Ashley Too doll, which perfectly captures Ashley O’s personality.
For Cyrus, the episode’s storyline is quite personal. “I think it’s an important story that needs to be told, such a realistic take on what it’s like working in the music industry,” she told The Guardian. “It really portrays the overt exploitation of artists and that numbers usually eclipse the creative most of the time.”
In the latter part of the episode, Cyrus’ Ashley ends up in a coma. Despite this, they find a way to let the pop star live on by utilizing a hologram that performs songs, which are extracted right out of Ashley’s brain. The hologram is also eerily named Ashley Eternal.
Although Black Mirror episodes are generally rated well by critics, they weren’t exactly pleased with Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the general consensus is that it presented “an exquisite corpse of good ideas never fully formed.” Still, they have a lot of praise for Cyrus’ performance, noting it was “wholly committed and compelling.”
At the same time, fans have expressed their frustration towards the episode, with some even claiming that it failed to meet the general expectations of the series. “The execution was like a NFSW Disney Special trying too hard to be edgy,” one Reddit user commented.
“It was a brilliant commentary on Britney Spears and the future of modern music,” another Reddit user explained. “That being said, I completely understand the critique of it as an episode of Black Mirror. It definitely doesn’t fit the format of most other episodes.”
Yet there are also fans who believe that the actress who played Ashley shouldn’t have been Cyrus. “That was fun, but I'm not a fan of featuring Miley Cyrus?” a Reddit user wrote. “I don't know how to explain it, but a familiar face is part of my issue with the episode.”
“It was a great show when it was in England. America has successfully turned it into a pandering arrow for social justice,” another Reddit user remarked. “I'm sorry but I have no boo hoos for Hannah Montana...”
Since this episode, Black Mirror has never done another one featuring Cyrus. But it's likely the singer/actress would be willing to star in the series again since she's a huge fan of the show.