Among the many memorable episodes of Black Mirror, “USS Callister” stood out in Season 4 as a particularly sharp and unsettling satire. The episode brilliantly critiqued toxic fandom, the insidious nature of unchecked power, and the seductive yet dangerous allure of virtual escapism. It introduced us to Robert Daly, a brilliant but socially awkward programmer who exacted revenge on his dismissive colleagues by trapping their digital clones inside his private, modified version of the online game Infinity, a world inspired by his beloved TV show Space Fleet. Within this digital realm, Daly reigned as the all-powerful Captain, subjecting his crew of clones to his every whim.
Now comes the sequel to this standout chapter, chosen to conclude the seventh season on Netflix. “USS Callister: Into Infinity” returns us directly to the digital cosmos, picking up the story immediately after the dramatic escape of Captain Nanette Cole and her crew from Robert Daly’s tyrannical control. Freed from Daly’s private server and now adrift in the vast, procedurally generated universe of the public Infinity game, the USS Callister crew quickly discovers that freedom comes with its own set of challenges.
Led by the newly appointed Captain Cole (Cristin Milioti), they find themselves stranded and struggling to survive in a world populated by 30 million real-world players. Needing in-game currency for essential resources like hyperspace fuel, the crew is forced to resort to piracy, ambushing unsuspecting players and stealing their credits. Soon, the reality we know collides with the virtual one in search of a core where the video game’s best-kept secret lies: a digital clone of its creator, working tirelessly to build this sprawling world.
This episode provides a surprising finale to a seventh season that, after a disturbingly dark start, gradually lost its nightmarish edge, ultimately concluding with this satire. Building on a pre-established idea, it wraps up a story with familiar themes. Without adding much to the original concept, it plays out as a more or less amusing space adventure, appealing to the geek crowd.
Cinematically, it leaves us feeling rather indifferent, although the TV-style tone (clearly imitating Star Trek) is well-executed and has its charm. There aren’t many allegories to new ideas compared to its predecessor episode, and this somewhat disappointing ending leaves us wondering if there will be an eighth season of Black Mirror. The show seems to be losing its revolutionary ideas, leaning more towards pleasing its fans than truly surprising them.
Where to Watch “USS Callister: Into Infinity”
