“Black Mirror” is a popular anthology series picked up by Netflix, focusing on science fiction themes that beg the question: should we allow technology to have such a dominant role in our lives?

Originally a British show, this new third season, the first since Netflix took over, seems to fit right in with its sibling seasons.

The first episode, “Nosedive,” explores the constant need of approval that social media has ingrained into modern society.

Using cellphones to rate people based on encounters breeds a sense of superficial peace among the people. Using a point system to rank people’s social status, this number can dictate who is given opportunities and who is socially ostracized.

In short, if you get under a certain number, people will actively mistreat you and avoid you. This episode intuitively grasps the desperation and anxiety that social platforms create while making commentary on whether the sacrifices are truly worth it.

“Nosedive” reveals another theme, that of the government allowing people to police themselves and give civil consequences after they have felt slighted.

The episode asks whether sacrificing genuine happiness for government implemented “unity” is truly the answer. Dystopic in nature by the end, “Nosedive” is truly worth a watch.

The second episode entitled “Playtest” examines another form of technology, the cellphone-related world of virtual reality and escapism.

The question of perceived reality and what is the true simulation, a common theme in sci-fi, is masterfully crafted as the protagonist finds himself part of a virtual reality game test run that identifies and exposes his fears.

After an implant is put into the subject, his fears begin to appear and, although frightened, he is aware they are a construct. The story intensifies to the point where he cannot discern reality from the fabrications and he looses all sense of identity. This episode aptly shows fear in its brutal, raw form and how, in the end, we are responsible for our own turmoil.

The other episodes involve several traditional themes in sci-fi. For example, the final episode, “Hated in the Nation,” depicts a potential solution for the mass extinction of bees through technological replication of the dearly departed. The end of the episode shows that some solutions can also breed problems.

The beauty of the “Black Mirror” anthology series is that you can watch any episode you feel like, out of order, and you don’t have to worry about continuity. If you haven’t checked this show out or want to watch the latest season, you can. It is now available to stream on Netflix.