Captain Daley of the USS Callister runs a tight ship, but why do his crew treat him like a god, and just why does this mission feel like it has been plucked from popular classic TV show Space Fleet?

If you thought that Jason Isaacs’ Captain Lorca was a despot, wait till you get a load of Jessie (Fargo) Plemons’ tyrannical Daley. And yet, while his singular word is law, everyone seems to be happy with it. Opening in 4:3 ratio with slightly degraded picture, Charlie Brooker and William Bridges’ teleplay feels like a straight pastiche of classic Star Trek. Plemons channels his inner Shatner, the multi-racial crew members fill similar roles to the Enterprise’s bridge officers and yet something is slightly off… deliberately so.

To explain any more about what’s going on would deprive you of the fun you’ll have in unravelling the tale. As it’s Black Mirror, there’s a technology element and some clever twists. What starts off like an episode of The Orville or has the potential to be Galaxy Quest is actually something very different, and the very on-the-nose Star Trek references (right down to a Khan-a-like villain) are deliberately so.

It actually reminded me of a classic episode of The Twilight Zone, but if I give you the specific reference it will blow the thing apart. Sherlock and Doctor Who director Toby Haynes has great fun playing with the genre conventions, throwing the crew from side to side as the ship lurches about. He’s also supported by some impressive CGI and a knowing score. Points also to Cristin Milioti as plucky Nanette, our Michael Burnham in this show – challenging and fighting for what’s right.

Verdict: Watch it before someone spoils the narrative twists; possibly the best Star Trek-related fun you’ll have this Christmas. It’s made with a wink and affection while still having something of relevance to say. 9/10

Nick Joy