Ep 1. San Junipero

In the first episode of Black Mirror season 3, titled "San Junipero," we enter a world unlike any other seen in the series before. Set in the colorful and vibrant town of San Junipero in 1987, we follow the story of two young women, Yorkie and Kelly, who meet at a local club. Yorkie is new in town, timid, and reserved while Kelly exudes confidence and fearlessness. As they dance and get to know each other, it becomes clear that something isn't quite right with the world they inhabit.

We quickly discover that San Junipero is not a physical place, but a virtual reality created for the elderly and the terminally ill. In this digital paradise, they can spend their remaining days as their younger selves and escape the constraints of the real world. As the episode progresses, we see Yorkie and Kelly's relationship deepen over several visits to the town that appears to be a blending of different decades.

The episode explores some deep issues of relationships, identity, and mortality. The audience is taken on an emotional journey between the two women as they confront their own demons and grapple with existential questions like what it means to truly live and whether they can be happy in a simulated reality. They wrestle with concepts of life, death, and what it means to have a life worth living. By the end of the episode, the audience is left questioning what the real meaning of life is and whether being alive is truly necessary to live.

One of the main themes of "San Junipero" is the idea of being able to live and love indefinitely in a digital world that is only limited by our own perceptions of it. As we watch Kelly and Yorkie navigate their relationship in San Junipero, we see that there are no limits to what is possible in the virtual world. This creates a stark contrast to the limitations of the real world, where Kelly is bound by the chains of her past and her present, and Yorkie is trapped in a body that is barely functioning.

The episode also plays out like a love story, filled with nostalgic 80s pop music, colorful neon lights, and romantic scenes that take place against the backdrop of a virtual sunset. However, it is the underlying themes of the episode that make it truly memorable. It is a commentary on how society views death and how technology can change how we experience love and loss.

The writing is nuanced and it takes time to reveal each character's true motivations. The characters' stories unfold slowly, which allows the viewers to develop a deep attachment to them and their relationships. The acting is outstanding, particularly from leads Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Kelly and Mackenzie Davis as Yorkie, who manage to convey their range of emotions with subtlety and grace.

"San Junipero" is an episode that truly captures what Black Mirror is all about: using technology to explore deep and complex human emotions. It is a thought-provoking and emotional journey that challenges the traditional notions of life and love. This particular episode received many accolades and critical acclaim for its exceptional storytelling, memorable performances, and stunning cinematography. Overall, "San Junipero" is an astonishing episode that will leave you wondering about the true meaning of life, love, and loss.