Award-Winning Excellence: Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar and Otto II Live Resin Triumph at the High Times Hemp Cup

A double triumph at the esteemed High Times Hemp Cup – People’s Choice, both Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar and Otto II Live Resin from Hemp Hop®  have claimed impressive second-place victories in 2023 and 2020, beating out other vape cartridges and disposable vapes with their dabbable concentrates. These award-winning hemp cannabis concentrates have captivated judges and enthusiasts alike with their exceptional quality, distinct flavors, and potent effects. Join us as we delve into the world of Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar and Otto II Live Resin, exploring what sets them apart and why they have earned recognition as top-tier concentrates.

Use code HEMPCUP for 10% off your order of Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar and Otto II Live Resin at hemphop.co

Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar: The Harmony of Flavors and Genetics

Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar, a standout among hemp concentrates, blends the flavors and genetics of Sour Diesel and Suver Haze to create a truly exceptional strain. The pungent, invigorating characteristics of Sour Diesel intertwine with the sweet and earthy undertones of Suver Haze, resulting in a complex and captivating flavor profile. This unique combination delivers a sensory experience that is as memorable as it is delightful.

Courtesy Hemp Hop

Otto II Live Resin: Unleashing the Potency of the Otto II Strain

Otto II Live Resin, another second-place winner at the High Times Hemp Cup, showcases the potency and distinct qualities of the Otto II strain. Derived from selective breeding and years of cultivation expertise, Otto II is renowned for its high CBD content and minimal THC levels. The live resin extraction process preserves the delicate balance of cannabinoids and terpenes, resulting in a concentrate that embodies the essence of the Otto II strain. This award-winning concentrate delivers potent CBD effects, offering potential benefits such as relaxation, stress relief, and overall well-being.

Courtesy Hemp Hop

Craftsmanship and Quality: The Foundation of Award-Winning Concentrates

Both Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar and Otto II Live Resin exemplify the commitment to craftsmanship and quality that defines top-tier concentrates. From the selection of premium hemp plants to the meticulous extraction process, every step is executed with precision and expertise. These award-winning concentrates undergo rigorous quality control measures to ensure purity, potency, and consistency.

With the focus on quality, Hemp Hop® employs advanced extraction techniques, such as live sugar extraction for Sour Suver Haze and live resin extraction for Otto II, to capture the full spectrum of flavors and beneficial compounds. The result is concentrates that provide an unmatched sensory experience, elevating the enjoyment of hemp to new heights.

A Symphony of Flavors and Effects

Both award-winning concentrates entice the senses with their distinctive flavors and effects. 

Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar delights with its sour and citrusy notes derived from Sour Diesel, complemented by the sweet and earthy nuances of Suver Haze. This harmonious fusion of flavors creates a multifaceted taste experience.

On the other hand, Otto II Live Resin presents a more subtle flavor profile, allowing the natural terpenes of the Otto II strain to shine. The delicate blend of terpenes contributes to its unique aroma and smooth inhale, enhancing the overall experience.

In terms of effects, Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar offers a well-rounded experience that combines relaxation, clarity, and euphoria. Otto II Live Resin, with its high CBD content and minimal THC levels, provides a non-intoxicating experience that promotes a sense of calm and balance.

Courtesy Hemp Hop

The second-place victories of both Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar and Otto II Live Resin at the High Times Hemp Cup highlight their exceptional quality, distinctive flavors, and potent effects. These award-winning hemp cannabis concentrates represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship and dedication to delivering an unparalleled experience. Whether you seek a complex flavor journey or the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD, Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar and Otto II Live Resin offer an invitation to indulge in the extraordinary world of hemp concentrates. Save an extra 10% off both award-winning products at hemphop.co with the code HEMPCUP.

Introducing new Connoisseur Hash and Disposable Vapes!

The excellence doesn’t stop at award-winning concentrates. Join us as we explore the world of Hemp Hop® connoisseur products, including Dry Sift Hash and Temple Ball Hash, while also introducing their latest addition, the revolutionary Disposable Vapes.

Courtesy Hemp Hop

Dry Sift Hash and Temple Ball Hash: The Essence of Tradition 

Hemp Hop®  takes pride in preserving hemp culture by offering connoisseur products like Dry Sift Hash and Temple Ball Hash. Dry Sift Hash, created through a meticulous sifting process that separates trichome heads from the plant material, yields a concentrated product with rich flavors and potent effects. Temple Ball Hash, a time-honored tradition, involves hand-rolling resinous trichomes into a ball-shaped concentrate that embodies the artistry and heritage of hash-making. Both Dry Sift Hash and Temple Ball Hash offer an opportunity to experience the legacy of hemp in its purest form.

Introducing the Revolutionary Disposable Vapes 

Innovation meets convenience with the newest addition to Hemp Hop®: Disposable Vapes. Designed for on-the-go enthusiasts, these sleek and discreet vapes provide a hassle-free experience without compromising on quality or flavor. Each Disposable Vape is pre-filled with a carefully crafted blend of hemp-derived extracts, delivering a consistent and enjoyable vaping experience at a low-temperature. These carefully crafted Disposable Vapes have a 5-second preheat function for huge clouds, are rechargeable, and offer simplicity and portability, perfect for those seeking a convenient way to incorporate hemp into their lifestyle.

Courtesy Hemp Hop

Celebrate the triumph of Sour Suver Haze Live Sugar and Otto II Live Resin while exploring the world of connoisseur products at Hemp Hop®. From the exquisite craftsmanship of Dry Sift Hash and the timeless tradition of Temple Ball Hash to the revolutionary convenience of Disposable Vapes, Hemp Hop®  continues to redefine the hemp experience. Elevate your journey with their award-winning concentrates and indulge in the rich heritage and innovative offerings that Hemp Hop® proudly presents.

Courtesy Hemp Hop

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Were Going Live for the High Times Cannabis Cup New Mexico: Peoples Choice Edition 2023

The Land of Enchantment is about to get a lot more enchanting with this extra special announcement. The pandemic may have temporarily put a halt to in-person events and concerts, but High Times is extremely proud to announce that New Mexico will be the location of our first in-person People’s Choice Cannabis Cup celebration.

In March, we announced the arrival of our High Times Cannabis Cup New Mexico: People’s Choice Edition 2023. We typically hold digital award shows to celebrate each of our Cannabis Cup winners—but not this time. Not only is this the first High Times Cannabis Cup People’s Choice Edition to be held in New Mexico, but on Monday, September 4, it will also be the very first live and in-person awards event since the pandemic.

This event is co-produced by High Times, Fusion Promotions, and 101.3 The Hustle.

Join us for a thrilling in-person awards ceremony at the Rio Rancho Events Center and be the first to see which New Mexico cannabis products impressed the judges. Even better, we’re partnering up with Method Man and Redman to welcome in New Mexico’s first Cannabis Cup winners in our High Times Cannabis Cup Hall of Fame with a live performance as well.

To attend this monumental live event, those who purchase a New Mexico Cannabis Cup judge kit will receive a 30% discount on live show tickets (which can be applied to two tickets). 

Ticket presale dates have already begun, and end on Friday, June 23. In order to redeem the discount, attendees must call the Rio Rancho Event Center Box Office at (505) 891-7319, and provide the 14-digit code on the right side of the judge kit coupon. 

High Times Cannabis Cup New Mexico: People’s Choice Edition 2023 judge kits are available now through Aug. 20 while supplies last. Potential judges can seek out a judge kit at a variety of exclusive judge kit retailers, including Pecos Valley locations (also our intake partner), Enchanted Botanicals Cannabis, Urban Wellness, Higher Purpose Apothecary, Prohibition 37, Purlife, and Wheeed! but you can find plenty of details for each participating location at CannabisCup.com.

Our goal is put the spotlight on some of the best cannabis products available in the state of New Mexico. Our very own High Times VP of Events Mark Kazinec explained to local New Mexico news source KOB 4 that the Cannabis Cup is a celebration of cannabis for everyone. “Anybody from the OG growers who know how to talk about terpene profiles, to the soccer moms who are trading their glass of wine for a joint at the end of the night. We want their comments, their feedback,” Kazinec told KOB 4.

The High Times Cannabis Cup New Mexico: People’s Choice Edition 2023 is presented by Elevated, and supported by our Gold Sponsor: Enchanted Botanicals Cannabis, Silver Sponsor: Ghost., Bronze Sponsor: GH-Labs, and General Sponsor: Mountaintop Extracts (also named one of High Times’s 22 Best Brands of 2022).

2023 is gearing up to be a memorable year for the High Times Cannabis Cup People’s Choice Edition so far. 

In January we announced the return of the High Times Cannabis Cup Michigan: People’s Choice Edition, with winners set to be announced soon on July 9. This follows the Michigan People’s Choice Edition competition we held in 2021 and 2022. 

In March we also announced the return of the High Times Cannabis Cup SoCal: People’s Choice Edition with a digital awards stream set for July 24. In Southern California we’ve had a long and proud history of Cannabis Cups, three of which were People’s Choice Edition competitions in 2021 and 2022.

Finally and most recently in May, we announced the High Times Cannabis Cup Oregon: People’s Choice Edition 2023, with winners being announced later this year on Oct. 9. Check out what brands won at our previous People’s Choice Edition competitions in 2021.

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Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Cannabis Odor Enough To Justify Search

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled this week that the scent of cannabis alone constitutes probable cause to justify a search by police, despite the legalization of other products such as hemp that have similar odors. The court’s conservative majority ruled in a 4-3 decision that police officers in Marshfield, Wisconsin, had enough probable cause to search a defendant after detecting the smell of cannabis in the car he was driving and declined to exclude evidence discovered during the warrantless search. The ruling overturns two lower court rulings that found the evidence gained in the search was inadmissible because officers could not be certain if they smelled marijuana, which is still illegal under Wisconsin state law, and hemp, an agricultural crop that was legalized by the federal government with the 2018 Farm Bill.

The court handed down the decision on Tuesday in the case of Quaheem Moore, a man who was pulled over for speeding in Marshfield by two police officers in 2019. In their report, the officers state that while talking to Moore, they detected a strong odor of burnt cannabis emanating from the vehicle. When questioned about the odor, Moore told the officers that he had a CBD vaping device and noted that the vehicle was a car that had been rented by his brother. 

Scent of Cannabis Cited as Cause for Search

Although they admitted that they did detect the odor of marijuana on Moore, the officers cited the scent of cannabis coming from the car as cause to search the vehicle and Moore. The officers stated that during the search, they noted that Moore’s belt buckle appeared to be askew and upon looking closer, discovered a bulge in his pants. After closer examination, the officers discovered a hidden pocket inside the zipper of Moore’s pants, where they discovered packets of fentanyl and cocaine.

Police then arrested Moore and charged him with possession of narcotics, although he was not charged with possession of marijuana. Moore’s lawyers argued that because the police officers did not smell marijuana on Moore and because of the legality of CBD and hemp, which has an odor indistinguishable from marijuana, the police officers did not have probable cause for the search. Thus, the drugs found in the search should be excluded from evidence.

A circuit court judge and an appeals court agreed and ruled that the evidence discovered in the search was not admissible. Prosecutors appealed the rulings, saying the lower courts erred when they ruled the evidence inadmissible for trial.

Decision Overrules Lower Courts in Wisconsin

The Supreme Court disagreed with the previous rulings, overruling the lower court decisions and deciding the evidence gained in the search could be used in court. In a majority opinion written by Justice Brian Hagedorn, the court’s conservative majority found that because Moore was the only person in the vehicle, the police could reasonably assume that he “was probably connected with the illegal substance the officers identified.”

The decision relied on a 1999 Supreme Court decision that found police could arrest a driver because they connected him to the odor of cannabis in the car he was driving. That ruling said that the “unmistakable” scent of a controlled substance was evidence that a crime had been committed.

But the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s liberal minority questioned the 1999 ruling and its relevance to Moore’s case, saying that the police officers did not have strong evidence that the cannabis odor was coming from Moore. They also noted that the earlier ruling is outdated and does not take into account the subsequent legalization of hemp and CBD. 

“Officers who believe they smell marijuana coming from a vehicle may just as likely be smelling raw or smoked hemp, which is not criminal activity,” Justice Rebecca Frank Dallet wrote in a dissenting opinion that was joined by two additional justices.

After Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling was released, Moore’s attorney, Joshua Hargrove, warned that the decision could allow law enforcement offices to justify searches based on unreliable conclusions without being held accountable in court.

“This opinion could subject more citizens engaged in lawful behavior to arrest,” he said in a statement quoted by the Associated Press.

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New Jersey Lawmakers File Bill Expanding Cannabis Data Collection for Cops

A New Jersey government official wants to keep track of your entire relationship with cannabis in an effort to tackle stoned driving, the New Jersey Monitor reports. Assemblywoman Shanique Speight (D) wants to create a division tasked with compiling data, such as information on any arrests made for driving under the influence where cannabis is present, through use or possession, in addition to other marijuana-related arrests, dismissals, convictions, cannabis seized, and even adjudications of cannabis charges.

The reality of the dangers of driving with cannabis in one’s system is hotly debated. U.S. lawmakers are scurrying to find a way to solve the issue, whether they’re getting people stoned (and even giving them munchies) to research high driving or working on tech to scan your eyeballs, they really, really want to find a way to identify (and prosecute) anyone driving under the influence of cannabis. Never mind the fact that weed legalization in Canada is not linked to an increase in car crashes. 

Speight was inspired to tackle the problem in her home state after visiting Colorado, the first state to have legal recreational weed, in the summer of 2022 and observing how the state deals with motorists driving under the influence of cannabis. “I don’t know if they have the correct guidance on how to charge without overstepping,” Speight said. Colorado has an office under the state’s criminal justice division that monitors and logs any cannabis offenses, yet New Jersey has no similar centralized database. “When I saw what they were doing over there, I started thinking about how that would be good for our state,” she said. “I like the fact that they have a certain division handling and keeping track of these cases.”

So, New Jersey residents, you can get mad at Colorado for inspiring your state to step up its vigor regarding cannabis-related driving arrests. Speight aims to create the division to help the police know under what circumstances they can arrest someone. This means the state government will be collecting more information about its citizens, which will be presented annually to the governor and Legislature, and include any recommendations for improvements.

The bill, introduced earlier this month (sponsored by Sen. Vin Gopal (D) in the Senate), would additionally create a “public awareness campaign” about cannabis and driving. It’s currently referred to both chambers’ law and public safety committees.

In New Jersey, recreational cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over. You can possess up to six ounces. If you are caught with more than that, the cops can’t arrest you but can issue a summons. Additionally, they can’t search your car without a warrant just because they think they smell weed smoke. If a cop does overreach and investigate cannabis use for anyone under 21, they can be charged with deprivation of civil rights for knowingly violating the cannabis law’s requirements. They then face up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. 

As a result, Speight says that she’s “troubled” by incidents where New Jersey police don’t know what to do. Many officers take a more hands-off approach to avoid getting in trouble due to the current law, and the proposed data collection-based division aims to tackle this. While the existing rules sound favorable to anyone who enjoys pot, it’s confusing police, who, without a current, accurate cannabis version of the breathalyzer, have a hard time figuring out if someone is driving stoned or not. 

“All of this gets complicated to me, but I don’t think it should be ignored. It should be addressed,” Speight adds, noting she hopes to work with both cannabis advocates and law enforcement on the bill.

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Three States in Australia Push for Adult-Use Cannabis

Leaders in three state parliaments in Australia—Victoria, NSW, and Western Australia—introduced draft laws simultaneously on June 20 to push for adult-use cannabis. 

Cannabis remains illegal under federal law in Australia, though a growing number of city and state governments have legalized recreational cannabis use, thus creating a checkerboard of cannabis laws. Sound familiar to what is seen in the U.S.?

Legalise Cannabis Victoria MP Rachel Payne, Legalise Cannabis NSW MP Jeremy Buckingham, and Legalise Cannabis WA MP Dr Brian Walker introduced the three-pronged bill in their respective parliaments, which would end cannabis prohibition in those states.

The “Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis Bill 2023” would allow adults who are lawfully in possession of cannabis to gift it to another adult in those jurisdictions. It would only allow people 18 and older to access it and would make no changes to the crime of selling cannabis.

The proposed legislation would allow adults to possess and grow small quantities of cannabis at home, and it is similar to Australian Capital Territory (ACT)’s bill that came into effect in 2020.

Landmark measures were passed in the ACT Legislative Assembly, clearing the way for individuals aged 18 and over to possess and grow cannabis beginning on Jan. 31, 2020. ACT was the first state or territory in the country to legalize cannabis for adult use. Others followed.

Legalise Cannabis Australia was formerly the Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) Party. Its policies focus around the re-legalization of cannabis for personal, medicinal, and industrial uses in Australia.

Legalise Cannabis MPs React

Several Legalise Cannabis MPs applauded the announcement of the bill and said they are simply doing what their constituents want.

Victorian Legalise Cannabis MP David Ettershank told ABC Radio Melbourne the people in Australia agree the time is now to reform cannabis laws. “The majority of Victorians support the regulation of cannabis, and a huge number of Victorians … regularly consume cannabis,” he said.

Legalise Cannabis Party NSW MP Jeremy Buckingham, who is a former Greens MP, said it was the nation’s first coordinated attempt to legalize cannabis.

“The Bill … will allow households to grow up to six plants, for that cannabis to be (gifted and) shared, and for the trade in seeds,” Buckingham said. 

“We already have the Greens and Liberal Democrats supporting our move … and now it’s time for Labor to move in WA, Victoria, NSW and nationally,” he said.

The Guardian reports that it’s the first united push between the three state governments.

Rachel Payne, a Legalise Cannabis Victoria MP, said the bill would put the state governments on the “the right side of history when it comes to cannabis law reform.”

What Adult Use Cannabis Could Bring to Australia

Legalizing marijuana could be a major economic boon in Australia.

Western Australia in particular could be reaping the benefits of legal cannabis sales, according to a new study.

ABC Radio Perth reports that the study, from researchers associated with the University of Western Australia, found that cannabis legalization could bring $243.5 million per year in the first five years to Western Australia. 

For the time being, cannabis remains illegal in Australia, with penalties varying from state to state. In Western Australia, according to the Guardian, “[f]ines range from $2,000 to $20,000 and up to two years in prison,” but for “possession up to 10g police [law enforcement] can use discretion to order the person to a counselling session (one for adults, two for children).”

The new law being presented in three additional states could help to change that.

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Cannabeginners: Esters

While most homebrewers know about esters, due to their role in creating flavors during yeast fermentation of alcohol, many cannabis consumers and businesses aren’t very knowledgeable about these exciting flavor and scent chemicals. Recent research has shown potentially notable medical effects, and one company even has a patent on some esters of THC.

While the term “ester” was coined in 1848 by the German chemist Leopold Gmelin, likely as a contraction for “essigäther,” which means “acetic ether” in German, their discovery goes back almost a century earlier. In 1759 the Count de Lauraguais performed the first synthesis of the ester ethyl acetate, marking one of the first, if not the first, examples of an ester being synthesized. Esters are derivatives of “a carboxylic acid, in which the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group has been replaced with an alkyl group,” and their structure is the product of an alcohol combined with the carboxylic acid.

The Role of Esters in Flavor and Scent

Like terpenes, esters are very common in plants, and are the cause of many of the odors and flavors of the plants we smell and food we eat. For example, wintergreen gets its odor and flavor from the ester methyl salicylate and pears smell and taste like they do because of propyl ethanoate. Similarly, some of the flavors and scents of cannabis are a result of esters. 

Esters vs. Phenols

Both esters and phenols are responsible for flavors and scents, but different types of flavors and scents. In the context of beer brewing, ester flavors are seen as desirable, good flavors, and phenol flavors are generally seen as undesirable, or bad flavors, but it depends on the beer and the palate of the person drinking it. Broadly speaking, phenol flavors are usually earthier or smokier, but they can also be clove-like. 

Courtesy Wikipedia

What Do Esters in Cannabis Do?

Before he passed, the Father of Cannabis Research, Raphael Mechoulam, was very involved in researching esters in cannabis. Specifically, Mechoulam was looking at cannabidiolic acid methyl ester, which is cannabidiolic acid  that has gone through a process of esterification. As his research demonstrated, esters are responsible for more than just flavor and may have medical benefits. Mechoulam’s team found that cannabidiolic acid methyl ester “is a potential medicine for treating some nausea and anxiety disorders and possibly other disorders ameliorated by enhancement of 5‐HT_1A receptor activation.” A follow up study was done by Mechoulam and his colleagues where they gave cannabidiolic acid methyl ester to rats and found it “might modulate the sleep–wake cycle by engaging the hypothalamus.”

Research by Mahmoud A. ElSohly at NIDA’s cannabis research facility looking at cannabis esters made from acidic cannabinoids, and found that “CB-1 receptor assay indicated that the esters, as well as the parent acids, are not active.” That means they did not have an impact at the CB-1 receptor, and thus, should not produce feelings of intoxication/euphoria. ElSohly’s team also observed that 4-terpenyl cannabinolate “showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans ATCC 90028.”

Aurora Cannabis actually has a patent on certain THC esters, but it is not clear if they are actively using their patented esters in any of their cannabis products.

Their Role in Alcohol Brewing

As esters are “formed by the reactions of organic acids and alcohols created during fermentation,” they play a big role in the brewing of alcohol, specifically, how yeasts impart different flavors and scents to alcohol. While other flavors can be added to beer and other alcohol by adding fruit, spices, and other botanicals, the flavor from esters is from yeast fermentation and is influenced by three main factors: the characteristics of the yeast, wort composition (nutrients), and the conditions of fermentation (environment). 

Some strains of yeast are known to produce higher levels of esters, such as the yeasts used in Bavarian wheat beers which often have high amounts of isoamyl acetate (a banana-like flavor). Wort composition can be simplified to the nutrients the yeast has access to and higher concentrations of sugar, zinc, and amino acids tend to lead to more esters. Other things, like dissolved oxygen and lipid content, can reduce the production of esters. The fermentation environment also plays a major role and it seems that shallower, more open, fermentation vessels lead to more esters. 

Esters aren’t just a major feature in beer, but also in spirits, most notably Jamaican rum. Jamaica has long been known for producing high ester rums, but in 1934 they passed the The Rum (Ether Control) Act, which, for the first time, imposed an ester limit for rum. That limit of 1600 gr/hlAA of esters is still enforced to this day by Jamaica’s Spirits Pool Association. If anyone was concerned that limit has to do with health and safety, it does not, and has a lot more to do with some quirks of the global alcohol market during the era of Prohibition. 

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Black Mirror Is Back with Another Series of Bad Trips

A little over a year ago, I reviewed an Oscar-nominated short from Mexican-American screenwriter and director K.D. Dávila titled Please Hold, about an alternative (read: potential) future in which someone gets arrested by a drone for an undisclosed crime and placed in a fully-automated holding cell where a malfunctioning computer screen prevents him from communicating with his lawyer.

In my review, I wrote that Please Hold feels a lot like Black Mirror, and for good reason. Its central theme of humanity getting stuck in a trap of its own making has been part of the Netflix hit’s DNA from the very beginning, and is placed front and center in a new season that premiered on June 15 – four years after the previous one. 

A lot has happened in the real world since then, both politically and technologically. Deep fakes of photo and video variety can now be used to fabricate convincing visual “evidence” for written misinformation on social media and beyond. Generative AI, chiefly ChatGPT, is automating the bottom tier of the white-collar job market. Netflix is no longer the only streaming service in town, and its ongoing war with HBO Max and Disney+ is driving media executives to make popular entertainment even more noxiously nefarious than it already was. 

Since Black Mirror is, as its title suggests, a reflection of the real world, it should come as no surprise that many of these developments are featured in the new episodes. The first of these, “Joan is Awful,” follows a woman whose young, upwardly mobile existence falls apart when she discovers the streaming service Streamberry – which has the same logo style, font type, and intro as Netflix – has created a computer-generated show about her private life, something she unknowingly gave them legal permission to do when she signed up for a subscription. 

In “Loch Henry,” an American film student travels to Scotland to meet her boyfriend’s mother. While there, she learns the town they live in used to be inhabited by a serial killer. Sensing a rare opportunity to make it in the industry, she convinces her boyfriend to help her make a true crime documentary about said killer, something he is reluctant to do given how personal and traumatic the topic is for him and his community. 

“Beyond the Sea,” which stars Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul, opens with what we believe are two fathers spending time with their wives and kids, but which actually turn out to be robots controlled by astronauts aboard a space shuttle so they can spend time with their loved ones during off hours. Tensions aboard the ship rise when one of them tragically loses both his family and his robot, leading the other (Paul) to share his robot – and, by extension, his family – to prevent his spiraling colleague from committing suicide.  

The fourth episode of the season, “Mazey Day,” is less sci-fi and more supernatural, a genre Black Mirror has toyed with in the past but never embraced as openly as it does here. I’m not sure how I feel about it – part of the show’s appeal is that it’s rooted in hypothetical but still plausible reality. I don’t think it would ruin your experience if I spoil what kind of supernatural thing happens, but still I won’t, as it is only a minor detraction from what truly lies at the heart of the episode: the moral deplorability of paparazzi and public celebrity. 

I haven’t yet seen the fifth episode – “Demon 79” – and thought it would be nice to leave that one a complete mystery for you, the reader. Its tagline promises a story about a meek sales assistant from 1979 who “must commit terrible acts to prevent disaster,” but that’s all I know. The premise sounds similar to an earlier episode, “Shut Up and Dance,” in which a teen played by Alex Lawther (The End of the Fucking World) must commit crimes to prevent an anonymous hacker from revealing that he secretly watches child pornography, being joined along the way by the actor who plays Bronn in Game of Thrones. Maybe it will be similar. Maybe it will not. 

I’m willing to put money (not much, $5 or $10 tops) on the latter and that is because I have faith in Charlie Brooker. Brooker, in case you didn’t know, is the creator of Black Mirror. He’s also the sole writer – notwithstanding some co-credits here and there – of each and every one of the show’s 22 episodes, including the 2018 interactive special Bandersnatch.

Most of the screenwriters I like, I like because they have a distinctive voice. You do not need to spend a lot of time watching a movie written by Charlie Kaufman (I’m Thinking of Ending Things, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) to recognize he wrote it. The same can be said about the Coen Brothers, Aaron Sorkin, or Phoebe Waller-Bridge, but not about Brooker. Normally, this would be a criticism. But in his case, it’s really a complement. Indeed, each chapter in the Black Mirror anthology has such a unique tone and voice you’d think they were written by completely different people. It’s Brooker’s versatility as a writer, not just his astuteness as an observer of the interplay between culture and machinery, that keeps his magnum opus feeling fresh. 

Across six seasons, the only constant in Black Mirror is its darkness. Even when episodes end on a seemingly positive note, an underlying hint of melancholy remains present. When they end on a bad note, as they often do, they leave us feeling disturbed and depressed in a way few stories are able to, and that, too, tells us something about ourselves. Something we’d rather not acknowledge, but probably should.

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