Black Mirror: Ranking Every Episode From Worst To Best

2. The Entire History Of You

Entire history of you black mirror
Channel 4

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]

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.

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Josh has over 11 years of experience as a published writer, having worked nine of those years as a full-time content producer at WhatCulture. In that period he has created hundreds of articles, videos and podcast episodes for multiple WhatCulture channels, specialising in gaming, horror and film & TV. He now primarily works as a senior content producer and presenter on WhatCulture Gaming where he co-hosts the WhatCulture Gaming Podcast, a top 3 UK most listened to gaming podcast that he co-created in 2018. Over the years he has reviewed several high-profile gaming releases, covered industry events with on-site reporting, opined on breaking news, and even kicked off his interviewing career by chatting to childhood hero, Tommy Wiseau.