Black Mirror has certainly had its ups and downs -- but every season has had an absolute banger and winner of an episode. "Joan is Awful" one hundred percent falls into that category.

We need the release to subconsciously remind us it's not real. Again this is where "Joan is Awful" succeeds. Not to say this episode doesn't consider the human element. It does. But the human piece is secondary to the tech, which is a bit rare in the series.

We know we're watching fiction and we can live in the fear because it's a fear that's (usually but not always) left on the screen. When horror becomes this close to reality, the dread can feel oppressive. Moments of levity become necessary.

It saw the writing on the wall and explored it masterfully. Interestingly, it's also why the episode is so damn funny. Black Mirror tends to be grim. To address the horrors of technology is to be a horror series. But horror works for many because we know it isn't real.

It plays with fears and themes not just around technology but around corporations and capitalism that are very much happening right now. It's timely, pertinent, and all too real. This episode premiered before the recent Strikes, which were partially about the usage of AI likenesses in the future.

This tech always feels two steps away from reality, always just out of reach. Close as we are to some of the advances seen in those episodes, we're still far away - even though those episodes are a decade old. Except "Joan is Awful" plays with technology that feels one step away or less.

Black Mirror has always found success in tackling the human condition while using technology as a backdrop. Episodes like "The Entire History of You," "San Junipero," and "I'll Be Right Back" are considered the best because they use non-existent tech to show who we are as people.

Legit got concerned until I saw your review for #4. Whew. Friendship safe and secured.