Black Mirror: Ranking Every Episode From Worst To Best
2. The Entire History Of You
A rather low-key episode in the grand scheme of things, The Entire History of You rounded out Season 1 with an emotional powerhouse of a story. Chronicling a couple (played pitch-perfectly by Toby Kebbell and Jodi Whittaker) struggling with a relationship after the reappearance of a former partner, the technological twist is that, in this reality, everyone has the ability to rewatch and access their memories at any given time.
Of course, while this tech has its benefits, it also enables a culture of overthinking and pining for the past. It's truly upsetting to see these characters unable (or unwilling) to be in the moment, perhaps most uncomfortably summed up in one scene where the two are having sex while watching memories of themselves making love far more passionately and intimately than they are currently.
The brilliant thing about the episode (and all the Black Mirror greats), is that the technology here isn't to blame for the eventual breakdown. Sure, it amplifies the problems between the pair, but those feelings of jealousy, regret and complacency are intrinsically human issues, and have been the cause of breakdowns in relationships for hundreds of years. It's not as flashy as other episodes, but it's the perfect companion to our number one...
[JB]