Pop Culture Cannabis in music and media celebrity stories as well as holiday ideas and other culture cues. Pop Culture Binge-Watch Black Mirror with These Strain Pairings Rebecca Kelley No matter how you voted on November 8th I think we can all agree that were about to enter a period of uncertainty in the United States. And with increasing worries that social media may have negatively contributed to the outcome of the U.S. presidential election societys over-reliance on the ease of technology is being regarded with a critical eye. So what better way to pounce on these sentiments than by binge-watching the critically acclaimed UK series Black Mirror a drama that feels like a 21st century Twilight Zone with an emphasis on the potential downsides of the comforts that modern technology provides to the masses. Thoseof you who are already feeling down probably want nothing to do with a run of episodes that offers a bleak mind trip and almost never ends on a happy note. But if youre a fan of sci-fi engaging storytelling and wallowing in your own head space youll definitely appreciate these 13 episodes stretched across three seasons and a Christmas special. Catch up on the show which recently debuted its third and final season on Netflix. To help get you through your viewing journey Ive ranked each episode in order of personal preference (weakest to strongest) and paired them with an appropriate strain that may further augment your experience. The National Anthem (Season 1 Episode 1) Zeppotron for Endemol In my opinion Black Mirror kicks off with its weakest episode of the bunch but dont let a rocky start deter you from continuing with the series. The episode centers on the Prime Minister as he learns that the Duchess of Beaumont a beloved member of the Royal Family is kidnapped and her ransom involves the Prime Minister committing an eyebrow-raising act that will be broadcast live around the world in order to facilitate the princess safe release. In hindsight however the publics obsession with a government scandal that feels like a distraction from actual policy and larger more pertinent issues may resonate more strongly today than when the episode first aired in December 2011. My Grade:C (graded on aBlack Mirrorcurve; as a standalone story its closer to a B-); its an interesting premise but I find the Prime Ministers actions to be too ludicrous to fully buy into Strain Suggestion:The Hog both for obvious reasons and because this indica willhelp you sink into the couch and bring back your appetite in case you lose it by episodes end The Waldo Moment (Season 2 Episode 3) Zeppotron for Endemol Another politically charged episode this one may hit too close to home for disillusioned Americans. A comedian uses his character Waldo a cartoon bear whose voice and movements he controls to interview (translation: make fun of) politicians for a late-night comedy show. (Think Triumph the Insult Comic Dog only more acerbic.) Waldos anti-establishment popularity increases rapidly and the comedian struggles with his characters growing global fame and how that may be impacting the political landscape. (Like I said too close to home.) My Grade: C (Black Mirror curve; as a standalone story its a B); honestly its tough for me to critique this one in light of recent events so Ill just go ahead and say that its a solid tale but weaker than many of Black Mirrors other creative impactful episodes Strain Suggestion:Gummy Bears because much like Waldo himself this hybrid seems sweet but delivers potent effects pulling you into a euphoric state to mask what could be a depressing reality Shut Up and Dance (Season 3 Episode 3) Netflix After his sister borrows his computer without asking and inadvertently downloads some viruses a mild-mannered teenage boy installs a malware remover program on his laptop. The program however surreptitiously accesses his webcam and unseen forces behind the bunk anti-virus software soon begin blackmailing the teenager and forcing him to run a series of peculiar errands. My Grade:B-; this episode takes the viewer on a pretty wild ride but Id argue that season 2s episode White Bear accomplishes a similar plot turn with far greater effect Strain Suggestion:Trainwreck sincethe hybrids mind-bending potent effects complement the fast-paced journey the teenager embarks on as were dragged along for the unexpected ride Playtest (Season 3 Episode 2) Netflix An American backpacking around the world stops in London for a few days and when he runs into some problems accessing his bank funds he picks up a temporary gig from an Oddjobs app. The job posted by a popular video game company involves him testing out some new immersive gaming technology that adapts to his thoughts and fears. Soon the backpacker finds himself navigating through what feels like a real-life horror video game scenario personally catered to him. My Grade:B-; I enjoyed both the premise and the main actor (Wyatt Russell son of Kurt!) but the ending veered too far into Rick and Morty territory (another show I love but forBlack Mirror it felt like a disappointing retread) Strain Suggestion:Game Changer as the relaxing indica-dominant hybrid willkeep you grounded while the game within this episode continues to ominously shift Hated in the Nation (Season 3 Episode 6) Netflix The final episode of Black Mirror this entrys runtime is as long as a feature length film so settle in for this one. An investigator is tasked with looking into the peculiar death of a reviled journalist and soon similar cases pop up all tied to a trending #DeathTo hashtag on social media. The mystery leads her to a powerful tech company whose products are being used for nefarious purposes. My Grade:B; the episode takes an interesting look at how the future could deal with real-life environmental concerns (namely a threatened bee population) but the ending comes about somewhat abruptly leaving me unsatisfied with its conclusion Strain Suggestion: Headband the popular hybrid that delivers slight pressure around the crown of the head for some consumers (it ties in well with this episode; youll see why) Men Against Fire (Season 3 Episode 5) Netflix A military squad is tasked with clearing out a house that may be secretly harboring roaches mutated humanoid creatures that were a byproduct of a previous wars use of biological weapons. One soldier struggles to kill a roach but before he does the roach flashes a device into his eyes. After returning from the successful mission the soldier begins to experience some curious effects from the mysterious device that was used against him. My Grade:B; a fascinating look at how ultra-modern technology would be implemented by the military this episode strikes a chord for those of us who are watching racial tensions unfold across the globe with increasing unease Strain Suggestion:Double Dream a soothing mentally invigorating hybrid that brings its consumer clear-headed functionality (an experience this episodes protagonist gets most unexpectedly) Nosedive (Season 3 Episode 1) Netflix Written by Michael Schur and Rashida Jones (who produced and acted in The Office and Parks and Recreation respectively) this episode kicks off season 3 with slightly more humor than other Black Mirror entries. In this reality everyone rates each others popularity on a scale of one to five stars think Uber but across every interaction you have not just how polite you are while hopping a ride from Point A to Point B. We follow Lacie (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) a woman whos thrilled to be chosen by her more popular friend to be Maid of Honor at her wedding because she thinks itll boost her score. Naturally her journey to the wedding goes awry jeopardizing her chance at breaking into an elite ranking. My Grade:B; Im a fan of cringe-worthy situations (which is why the British version of The Office is one of my all-time favorites) and the episode ends on a surprisingly cathartic note by Black Mirrors standards but some viewers may be turned off by our protagonists series of unfortunate events Strain Suggestion:Rockstar a strong indica-leaning strain thats as popular with growers as the rockstar rating this episodescharacters desperately strivefor White Bear (Season 2 Episode 2) Zeppotron for Endemol A woman wakes up in a strange house with no memory of who she is or of the items placed around her. As she exits the house shes surrounded by silent strangers who do nothing but point their phones at her to record her actions. Shes soon chased by masked and armed intruders and despite her pleas for help the bystanders continue to do nothing but record her. The episode follows her harrowing journey to seek answers and attempt to escape this nightmare situation. My Grade: B; this one stuck with me for a while after I first watched it and in my experience the moreI thought and reflected back on it the stronger an entry it became Strain Suggestion:Whiteout an intensely euphoric hybrid strain that brings alert focused effects a perfect pairing for the episodes main character as she struggles to piece together whats happening to her Fifteen Million Merits (Season 1 Episode 2) Zeppotron for Endemol In this reality citizens must exercise on a stationary bike to power their surroundings while earning a form of currency called merits. Merits can be used to skip or ignore advertisements and talented hopefuls can win their freedom by competing on a reality talent show called Hot Shots (which is basically like an American Idol or X Factor singing competition). One cyclist who inherited 12 million merits from his deceased brother encourages a woman he likes to compete onHot Shotsafter he hears her lovely singing voice. He buys her way into the competition but the results arent what either expects. My Grade:B; as absurd as the premise is (essentially forcing people to power the worlds energy sources like oversized hamsters on wheels with overweight individuals being treated as second-class citizens) the episodes emphasis on mindless entertainment and unskippable ads while society goes through the motions in a defeated routine feels like an ominous glimpse into a plausible future Strain Suggestion: Good Medicine; they say that exercise is good medicine but this blissful CBD hybrid should calm your anxieties about the future while easing those sore muscles from a marathon cycling sesh Be Right Back (Season 2 Episode 1) Zeppotron for Endemol A married couple move into a new house together but shortly afterwards the husband is tragically killed in a car accident. While the woman mourns her loss her friend suggests a service that mines the deceased husbands social media accounts and creates an AI that will emulate his behavior. At first the widow resists the idea but she eventually tries it out after unexpected circumstances arise. As the technology continues to evolve she struggles to emotionally cope with her husband being both gone and presentat the same time. My Grade:A-;those of us who have loved ones in our lives that we hold near and dear to us cant help but wonder what wed do if we were in this grieving womans situation which is why this episode resonates so strongly in a heartbreaking relatable way Strain Suggestion:Blue Dream because like the name of this iconic strain having what appears to be your loved one back with you may seem like a dream but with somber undertones as you face the sobering reality that you wont truly get back what you lost San Junipero (Season 3 Episode 4) Netflix A shy introverted woman named Yorkie visits the seaside town of San Junipero and meets a charismatic vivacious woman at a dance club. They hit it off but when the extroverted partier makes a move on the shy woman she gets intimidated and leaves.Yorkie ultimately returns to San Junipero a week later to search for the woman and their relationship grows across different eras first in 1987 then in 2002. As the episode unfolds we begin to learn what San Junipero is and why these two women keep frequenting it. My Grade:A-; its the only Black Mirror episode that ends on a relatively positive note and its exploration of life love and death in a tech-forward future will evoke strong emotions (plus youll leave with a new perspective of the Belinda Carlisle hit Heaven is a Place on Earth) Strain Suggestion:Heaven Scent a hybrid that delivers balanced blissful relaxed happiness which is precisely what visitors to San Junipero seek White Christmas (Christmas Special) Zeppotron for Endemol Between seasons 3 and 4 a 74-minute Christmas special was released. The episode is broken up into three separate narratives that ultimately converge together. We first meet two men (one played by Jon Hamm) who are stationed together at a remote outpost in the middle of the wilderness. Hamms character shares his backstory as a 21st century pickup artist who helps clueless men learn how to hit on women. Later we learn about a new virtual assistant technology designed to make everyday life easier and lastly its revealedhowthe other man ended up working at the outpost. My Grade:A; each seemingly separate tale is woven into a gut punch of an ending that ties everything together in a satisfying albeit depressing manner Strain Suggestion:White Widow a balanced hybrid that will deliver some much-needed euphoria and happiness to pull you out of the depths of this stellar episode The Entire History of You (Season 1 Episode 3) Zeppotron for Endemol The piece of tech highlighted in this episode is a tiny implant that allows individuals to record everything they do see or hear and grants them the ability to playback memories or experiences. A young lawyer with the implanted tech returns from a work trip and attends a dinner party hosted by his wifes friends and he grows suspicious of his wifes seemingly harmless interactions with a male guest hes never met before. My Grade:A; a brutal look at the dissolution of a relationship this episode is so unforgettable that Robert Downey Jr. has optioned the rights to create a full-length feature film based on its premise Strain Suggestion: Amnesia Haze a sativa that will wake up the mind as you ponder embracing the unexpected gift memory loss can bring Header image credit: Zeppotron for Endemol strainstv Rebecca Kelley Rebecca is a senior editor at Leafly specializing in Cannabis 101 and lifestyle stories. Recent Pop Culture Did You Know a Version of La Cucaracha References Marijuana? With Growing Support From Owners NFL Union to Study Medical Cannabis Music Video and Strain Pairing of the Week: WTF and Amnesia Haze Watch Dave Chappelle Joke About Having Weed Conversations TV Discussions Pop Culture We Should Be Talking About Season 3 of 'You're the Worst' Pop Culture 6 Questions I Have About 'Westworld' After Watching It High Pop Culture 5 Things Youll Do Watching Bob Ross While High Pop Culture South Park's Best Cannabis Moments The post Binge-Watch Black Mirror with These Strain Pairings appeared first on Leafly. by Rebecca Kelley at Leafly