Why San Junipero Is Still the Best & Most Beloved Black Mirror Episode, Explained
Black Mirror season 3 episode 4, titled San Junipero, has remained an absolute favourite over the years, even though there are now seven seasons of the show. Let's break down all the reasons why fans and critics have loved it for so long.
Since its debut in 2016, San Junipero has become a staple, earning a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score and landing a 8.5/10 on IMDb.
Written by series creator Charlie Brooker, the episode moves away from the show's traditionally dark tone to offer a tender love story rooted in futuristic technology. This tonal shift, combined with a simple yet so emotional story at the core of the episode, has solidified San Junipero as the most universally popular episode of the series.
“For me, it showed the “pro” side of technology. Being able to live in a simulated heaven where there is no pain, hunger, death, etc. even if it isn’t necessarily real could be beneficial for all walks of life. Add in the queer love story, and it’s one of my favorites. Not all technological advances are good, but maybe this one can be,” Redditor FitCost9710 said.
Unlike most Black Mirror episodes, which expose the dangers of technology, San Junipero presents technology as a tool for choice and opportunity. And it also gives the story a kind of happy ending that was too good to be true.
“For me personally, it was because there aren't many stories out there about two women in love, and even fewer that have a happy ending. And then we got it in Black Mirror of all places, the show that never had happy endings?” Redditor AmbitiousEnd294 said.
Nostalgic Vibes Make San Junipero So Much Better
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Set against the nostalgic backdrop of a simulated 1980s beach town, San Junipero follows Yorkie and Kelly, two women who fall in love in a digital afterlife. The twist? The town isn't real – it's a virtual reality where the elderly and the deceased can upload their consciousness, either temporarily or permanently.
“It's a comforting story about life after death. A sweet love story. Well written, superbly performed, and totally rewatchable. It's an 80s, 90s, early Millennium nostalgic ride, perfectly fused with sci-fi futuristic themes,” Redditor Aristarchus1981 said.
Where to Watch Black Mirror?
Black Mirror, with 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 8.7/10 on IMDb, is available to stream on Netflix.
