Just when you think Black Mirror has done everything it can to send up the iconic genres and science fiction properties of the past, they pull out the U.S.S. Callister. The episode from the upcoming fourth season of the millennial Twilight Zone has quite the cast—like Jesse Plemons, Jimmi Simpson, Cristin Milioti, and Michaela Coel—and a bunch of humor we’re sure is meant to distract from its true sinister nature. The episode may be a send-up of the old timey fun of classic Star Trek episodes where everything turns out okay in the end, but we probably shouldn’t expect that from Black Mirror.
Following Captain Daly (Plemons) and his trusty crew as they explore the galaxy and the dangers of unknown alien planets, the trailer may tread in world-saving and helping their fellow man, but something feels truly amiss with all that sunshine-y happiness and hip-hip-hooraydom being enthusiastically put forth by the crew. There’s simply no way they love their fearless leader Captain Daly THAT much, right?
The poster also provides additional clues, as well as even more of that retro-futurism long-time Trek fans love:
Daly is clearly being set up as the self-identifying hero, with Lieutenant Cole (Milioti) the foil who seems to see that something is deeply amiss in this retro world of space flight and death-defying adventure. Is it a game? Is it an alternate reality? It is all happening inside a snowglobe called St. Elsewhere? You’ll have to wait until Netflix releases the series to find out.
So what do YOU think is the issue here? Could it be that dear, sweet Landry Captain Daly isn’t the galaxy’s best Space Fleet captain? Let us know in the comments below.
Images: Netflix
Alicia Lutes is the Managing Editor, creator/host of Fangirling, and resident Khaleesi of House Nerdist. Find her on Twitter!
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