Would love to get some SPOILER talk going at some point.
Nosedive
Clever spin on internet habit of Rating, but I'm glad this was done with a light tone because it doesn't hold up if taken seriously at all. (The script is by Rashida Jones and Michael Schur.) Loved the pastel Art Direction, but it took too long to get going and was surprisingly long at the climactic scene, (a scene I thought we'd be spared.)
Playtest
A lot of this hinges on Wyatt Russell and his performance becomes increasingly irritating as he loses control of the situation, with a constant repetition of dialogue. This one aims to be more overtly a Horror episode, but there's a shallowness to the concept (acknowledged by Russell) that gives it less of a horrific impact than some later episodes. However, the character hates spiders and I hate spiders, so there's a moment where... yipes!
Shut Up and Dance
I see why this appears on the top and bottom of other ranked lists. It's ultimately a very mean episode. I'm talking Lars Von Trier levels of hatred for the characters. You can punch an audience in the gut without sickening them. That said, I prefer this approach to a pulled punch. In many ways, it's this Season's version of 'White Bear'.
San Junipero
Un-surprisingly, this emotion-filled, character rich episode is from the director of 'Be Right Back'. For a while, you might not recognize it as fitting the series at all. It takes place in the 80s, is free of modern technology and has a lot of hope. By the end it's very much a fitting part of the series, though it still is largely upbeat. A great example of the wide range of stories Black Mirror is capable of telling.
Men Against Fire
The dud. Easy to predict, overly literal interpretation of America's current political climate. By the end, I wished I had skipped this one. The best thing in it was a lead part by Sarah Snook (Predestination.)
Hated in the Nation
Feature-length, and a good summation of what makes Black Mirror so interesting. Mixing a sharp critique of social media with a police investigation and some of the most intense and scariest scenes of the series. I would say if you're on the fence about watching the show, this episode will make up your mind.
Complete Ranking of All Episodes
White Bear
San Junipero
Hated in the Nation
Fifteen Million Merits
Shut Up and Dance
White Christmas
The Entire History of You
Be Right Back
Nosedive
The National Anthem
Playtest
Men Against Fire
The Waldo Moment