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Every episode of Charlie Brooker's series Black Mirror shares a universe and exist on a singular timeline; here is where each episode fits in and why.
Every episode of Charlie Brooker's dystopian series, Black Mirror, connects in someway and all occur on the same timeline. While there are theories on each episode belonging to an individualized universe within the larger multiverse, it is far more likely that each story connects in a straight line that is not told in chronological order. With so many easter eggs and references from various installments, the entire timeline of the series can appear daunting and nearly impossible. Here is the entire timeline of the Black Mirror universe explained and in chronological order.
Black Mirror famously deconstructs the infatuation with technology with the negative effects it can have on the future. In fact, the entire series is about the fall of humanity and morality at the hands of some form of technological advancement. While some episodes such as season 2, episode 4, "White Christmas" are blatant in their examinations of this possibility, others are much more covert. The choose your own adventure film Bandersnatchnotably took viewers back to the 1980s, a distant past that the series had yet to cover. It began to weave together the references of previous episodes that occur in the future with the present features that happen in the past. Brooker's ability to weave in-between various moments in time—the past, present, and future—makes Black Mirror a relatable, disturbing, unsettling, and existential series but it also makes its timeline a bit messy.
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The chronology that each episode is placed in is based on the technological advancements of similar pieces of equipment, the environment, fashion, and if it outright stated which time period it is based in. In order to make sense of it all, the timeline must begin with Bandersnatch. It will find its natural conclusion with season 4, episode 5, "Metalhead".
Bandersnatch & The Beginning Of The End
In 2018, Bandersnatch released and became one of the more recent installments in the Black Mirror universe. The film features Stefan, a video game creator who becomes infatuated with Jerome F. Davies who wrote the book he is basing his game on. It takes place in July of 1984. While it is a recent installment, it does occur the furthest in the past than any other episode has before. The film sets up the future of the series with references to season 2, episode 2, "White Bear" and its symbol of control that permeates throughout the series's entirety. If Black Mirror's timeline begins at the earliest point in history, Bandersnatch created the "White Bear" symbol, which speaks to a much larger threat than the control of the viewer.
The film also introduced the Tuckersoft gaming company that became TCKR in later episodes of the series. The tech company played a hand in creating the simulation in season 3, episode 4, "San Junipero", that allows for the human consciousness to live beyond death. Stefan also goes to Saint Juniper's hospital where Rolo Haynes of season 4, episode 6, "Black Museum", explains his role in creating human consciousness transferring equipment. Ultimately, Bandersnatch introduces the foundation of the entire series and should be considered the first moment on the expansive timeline.
Politicians, Waldo, & Internet Trolling
Jumping forward nearly 40 years, season 1, episode 1, "The National Anthem" is set in 2011/2012 when the Prime Minister is blackmailed into fornicating with a pig on national television. It was a shocking introduction to the series, but Brooker did not stop there. In season 3, episode 3, "Shut Up And Dance", Kenny (Alex Lawther) is blackmailed for masturbating to child pornography. Along the way, he meets other individuals who are being threatened by the same unknown internet hacker who plans on ruining their lives if they do not do as they are told. When "Shut Up And Dance" ends, everyone that has been blackmailed has also been exposed for their wrongdoing. When Georgina opens a news report on her racist emails, reports about the prime minister from "National Anthem" appear, as well as the upcoming trial for Victoria in "White Bear".
Related: Black Mirror’s Bandersnatch: Why The Audience Never Had A Choice
At the same time, season 3, episode 6, "Hated In The Nation", has just released artificial bees known as ADI. As the news cycle covers the events, the hashtag "FREETHEWHITEBEAR" trends and a news report covers the advancements in technology that will allow soldiers to have an eye implant for unknown reasons, a reference to season 4, episode 5, "Men Against Fire". While this particular episode is not on the same timeline, "White Bear" is as well as season 2, episode 3, "The Waldo Moment". This is due to the fact that he is participating in the 2013 election. In chronological order starting in 2011 it begins with "National Anthem", then "Shut Up And Dance", "Hated In The Nation", "White Bear", and "The Waldo Moment".
White Bear & Playtest
While "White Bear" does begin in the year 2012/2013, it is likely the actual episode does not take place at the exact moment Victoria was put to trial. In fact, the end reveals that she has undergone the White Bear Justice Park's punishment hundreds of times. This involves brainwashing, memory loss, stripping Victoria of her autonomy, and tormenting her with the belief that she is an innocent victim who is being hunted for absolutely no reason. The fact that the White Bear Justice Park was established for her specifically and its leader speaks of its success as ongoing, it is likely this episode occurs a several years after the hashtag "FREETHEWHITEBEAR".
Black Mirror's season 3, episode 2, "Playtest", happens within the same time frame due to the fact that the technology Cooper supposedly tested does not exist. He died shortly after testing the virtual reality equipment with a game of whack-a-mole. Therefore, the technological advances he experienced in "Playtest" don't actually exist at this moment. Furthermore, a news reel that features SaitoGemu also discusses the issues following the aftermath of "Hated In The Nation". Both "Playtest" and "White Bear" occur several years following the events of the approximated years 2011 to 2013.
Social Media In The Modern Day
In season 5, episode 2, "Smithereens", the characters present a thought-provoking conversation on the use of technology and social media as well as how it has distracted society from the real world. It takes place in 2018, and is one of the least technologically-based episodes of the entire show. This Black Mirror episode in particular is meant to speak to contemporary society rather than question where it will go in the future and how it will falter. Instead, it examines how the modern day is already in the midst of a Black Mirror scenario.
Technology For The Human Brain, Memory, & Control
Following the events of "Smithereens", season 4, episode 3, "Crocodile", introduces the precursor to technology that has become familiar to Black Mirror. The equipment featured in "Crocodile" is intended to gain information from anyone who has witnessed or is suspected of a crime. It attaches to the temple and allows the interrogator to see what that person has seen. As that equipment has advanced, it transformed into Jodie Foster's controversial season 4, episode 2, "Arkangel", which utilizes a similar system but implants the small disc under the skin. In "Arkangel", it's used to monitor a child and choose what they can or cannot see.
Related: Black Mirror: What Crocodile's Title Really Means
Following "Arkangel", season 2, episode 1, "Be Right Back", uses a similar technology that allows artificial intelligence to appear as loved ones. As it developed even further, season 1, episode 3, "The Entire History Of You", created the atmosphere that this specific piece of equipment has reached its peak. This is a misconception considering "White Christmas", but that episode in particular occurs much later than "The Entire History Of You".
Dating Apps & Simulations
Black Mirror's season 4, episode 4, "Hang The DJ" focuses on a couple as they navigate a dating app that places people with their perfect match. While the technology could be advanced enough to put it in the category with "White Christmas," it actually does not align with anything that pre-existed in the series. It is difficult to place on the timeline but due to its proto-cookie era simulation, it is likely "Hang The DJ" occurred only a few years before they were invented.
Cookies, Human Consciousness, & More Video Games
Black Mirror's highest rated episode, "White Christmas" introduced the cookie technology to the series. It has quickly become one of the most important pieces of equipment used by anyone throughout its entirety. The cookie traps human consciousness into an egg shaped model that holds an exact copy of an individual which is then used for interrogations, imprisonment, and manipulation. In "White Christmas", Jon Hamm's character, Matt, uses the most advanced form of blocking technology that was also used in "Arkangel" and "Crocodile". Which situates it after the events of these two episodes in particular. Even Ashley O (Miley Cyrus) of season 5, episode 1, "Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too" features a cookie that is marketed and sold to her fans.
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As the cookie technology advanced, it transformed into the TCKR software that allows for the transfer of human consciousness into the "San Junipero" simulation that Rolo Haynes of season 4, episode 6, "Black Museum", helped develop at Saint Juniper Hospital. Considering TCKR began as a video game company, it is likely that they implemented the same forms of technology used in "San Junipero" and "White Christmas" to create the video games featured in season 4, episode 1, "USS Callister" and season 5, episode 3, "Striking Vipers". Both episodes feature a device that, once attached to the temple, transports an individual to a virtual reality video game where they feel what their characters feel and control the environment. It is possible both of these episodes occurred at the same time.
Ratings & Roaches
As the roach technology developed from its early beginnings in "Hated In The Nation," it transformed into the equipment used by soldiers in season 3, episode 5, "Men Against Fire" and occurs at the same time as season 3, episode 1, "Nosedive." While soldiers are killing roaches, people who are deemed unfit for society based on their socioeconomic status, individuals are using a ranking system to determine their worth. Despite the fact that "Nosedive" could be a precursor to the dystopian war fought in "Men Against Fire", it is likely that the two are working in conjunction with one another in order to determine who is best suited for society—which leads to the ultimate dystopian future.
The Dystopian Future & Imprisonment
It wasn't long until cookie technology went even further and became the ultimate form of imprisonment with season 1, episode 2, "15 Million Merits." While it is the hardest episode to place on the timeline of Black Mirror, "15 Million Merits" may be apart of the cookie technology in which individuals are confined to live a life where the only means of escape is winning a competition. Fan theorists have debated its placement as occurring at the same time as "National Anthem" but the technology is far too advanced for that time period and must be placed closer towards the dystopian future of Black Mirror.
As people are being put on display and utilizing their talents as a means of escape, the war in "Men Against Fire" transformed into the season 4, episode 5, "Metalhead." It occurs in the very distant future, where most of mankind has been wiped out by dog-like robots that seek and destroy people. Fan theorists have posited that they are actually the future of soldiers, and the most effective in wiping out large quantities of undesirable people. Meaning, Bella of "Metalhead" could be a roach or the last living human being in the specific area that the soldiers of "Men Against Fire" were targeting.
Ultimately, the timeline of Black Mirrorwill continue to grow even more elements are introduced to the series, and new technologies are developed. As of this writing, season 6 of the series is on hold.
More: How Black Mirror Could Make A Bandersnatch Sequel Work
Marian Phillips is a writer, reader, and horror movie fan based out of Pittsburgh, PA. She is a dedicated historian, researcher, and content creator, and now works as a Horror Movie Features Writer for Valnet, Inc at ScreenRant.
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