‘Black Mirror’: Everything to remember about the original ‘USS Callister’ before watching new follow-up
More than seven years ago, Black Mirror's fourth season introduced a dark take on Star Trek with the fan-favorite episode "USS Callister." This week, with the launch of the Netflix sci-fi anthology's seventh season, most of the cast is back for a sequel.
The final episode of Season 7, "USS Callister: Into Infinity," catches up with the surviving members of the crew. They may have escaped a dire fate before, but now they need to figure out what comes next.
To get you ready for the sequel, here’s everything you need to remember about the original "USS Callister."
What happened in the original "USS Callister" episode?
Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons), a deranged programmer for Callister Inc., used his skills to digitally clone several of his coworkers and place them into Infinity, the massively multiplayer game that their company produces.
The digital clones of Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti), James Walton (Jimmi Simpson), Shania Lowry (Michaela Coel), Karl Valdack (Billy Magnussen), Elena Tulaska (Milanka Brooks), Nate Parker (Osy Ikhile), and Kabir Dudani (Paul G. Raymond),were little more than slaves to Daly’s whims. And he horribly mistreated them.
At Nanette’s urging, the crew rebelled and managed to break the game with Daly’s mind still inside. That let them into the larger realm of Infinity as players, and that’s the big problem they face in the sequel episode. The crew now has to contend with 30 million players in the game who could potentially destroy them.
The big cameo
Aside from the riff on Star Trek, the episode featured one huge Easter egg: Plemons' partner, Kirsten Dunst, made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance in the background.
Why didn’t Michaela Coel return for the sequel?
Milioti, Simpson, Magnussen, Brooks, Ikhile, and Raymond all reprise their roles. Coel, however, is missing in action.
Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker told Entertainment Weekly that scheduling issues kept Coel from appearing in Season 7. The reason for Shania’s absence is revealed in the sequel episode itself, which we won’t spoil here.
How has social media responded to "USS Callister: Into Infinity"?
So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The original episode was a highlight in Season 4, and it looks like the sequel may be similarly revered. Milioti has been particularly praised for her dual role in the episode.
Cristin Milioti does such a good job in USS Callister: into infinity. Her expressions are amazing #BlackMirror pic.twitter.com/750zJp3ZhK
— neganinja (@nonothing67) April 10, 2025
USS Callister: Into Infinity is a stunning return to one of Black Mirror’s best. Cristin Milioti is outstanding, Jimmi Simpson thrives in a darker role, and it belongs on the BIG screen. Epic, emotional, and unforgettable. Just don’t make us wait another 7 years! #BlackMirror pic.twitter.com/eugzsG4pcy
— Heroes And Hype (@heroesandhype) April 10, 2025
"USS Callister: Into Infinity" is a TDK or Two Towers type of sequel. Cristin Milioti is on such a roll right now. #BlackMirror • #BlackMirrorS7 • #blackmirror7 pic.twitter.com/OtN9SoRzV9
— Zande (@KongoZande) April 10, 2025
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Black Mirror Season 7 - USS Callister: Into Infinity
By a distance the most conventional work I've seen from Brooker, but no less brilliant for it. The best popcorn sci-fi film I've seen in the past few years, full of great action, big laughs, and as always, so much heart.
— JP (@jpkesseler) April 8, 2025
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USS Callister: Into Infinity is an absolute goddamn treat.
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) April 10, 2025
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Black Mirror Season 7 finishes with the episode "USS Callister: Into Infinity"
Cristin Milioti cooked so hard as Captain Nanette and Real life Nanette. #BlackMirror #CristinMilioti pic.twitter.com/tHuJzqnmZr
— Eishaan (@eishaanix) April 10, 2025
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Will there be a "USS Callister 3"?
Without giving away the ending, Milioti appears to be game for another go-round, telling Variety, “We haven’t talked about it, but I do trust Charlie’s brain. If he feels there’s another possibility, I would love to talk to him about it.”
READ: ‘Black Mirror’ Season 7 reviews: ‘The series hits the high notes of human loss and love’