[ot-caption title= “Among the vast array of Netflix originals, Black Mirror stands out as one of the best. (via, Senior Rachel Rutstein)”]

Over the past few years, Netflix has proven that it is fully committed to becoming the number one destination for original content. As Netflix’s collection of original shows has expanded, many people have begun to notice a decrease in both quantity and quality of Netflix’s movie library. This trend is a clear indicator that the future of Netflix lies within its original content. Fortunately for both Netflix and us, the viewers, Netflix’s investment into its own content seems to be paying off, with massive successes like House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black. [spacer height=”20px”]

The latter half of 2016 has proven to be an historic time for Netflix. In early August, Netflix released Baz Luhrmann’s The Get Down, which claimed the record as one of the most expensive television shows ever created with a mind-boggling budget of $120 million. However, The Get Down was only able to hold on to that record for a brief moment because just last week, Netflix released the $130 million The Crown, a dramatization of Queen Elizabeth II’s first few years in power.[spacer height=”20px”]

Most importantly for Netflix is that Stranger Things is undoubtedly the defining show of 2016. This surprise hit has dominated pop culture since its summer release. Now, all of these shows are certainly worthy of the praise they have received, but would you believe it if I told you that Netflix produces a series even better than shows like Stranger Things, which, at its foundation, is really just nostalgia-fueled comfort food? [spacer height=”20px”]

Well Netflix does, and it comes in the form of Charlie Brooker’s brilliant BBC turned Netflix series Black Mirror, which had its season 3 release just a few weeks ago. For those unfamiliar, Black Mirror is an anthology series that tells foreboding stories which act almost as a warning of our technologically driven future. This series is somewhat akin to what The Twilight Zone was back in the mid-twentieth century.[spacer height=”20px”]

Each of the first two seasons of Black Mirror, produced by the BBC, contain three episodes that are around 45 minutes long. In addition, there is one special Christmas episode starring Jon Hamm that spans over an hour. While all of these episodes can now be viewed on Netflix, what’s most exciting is the recent October 21 release of the six new episodes, which enlist talent like Dan Trachtenberg, Joe Wright, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Michael Kelly.[spacer height=”20px”]

While I am eager to discuss and delve into each episode, Black Mirror is best watched without any prior knowledge. With that in mind, all I’ll say is that Black Mirror is without a doubt an essential series and, considering it is now on Netflix, nobody has any excuse as to why they cannot watch it. [spacer height=”20px”]

Netflix’s shift towards original content has brought about many new viewers, as everyone wants to see what this company has in store. With this said, it has yet to disappoint these viewers, but instead has wowed them with shows such as Stranger Things and Black Mirror. [spacer height=”20px”]

Sources: IMDB, The Fiscal Times, the Daily Beast, Vanity Fair, Collider

Photo Source: Flickr,  mezclaconfusa