San Junipero

"San Junipero" revolves around the lives of two women, Yorkie and Kelly, who meet in the 1980s at a nightclub called Tucker's in San Junipero. Yorkie, a shy young woman, is instantly drawn to the vivacious party girl, Kelly. They form a connection and eventually engage in a sexual relationship.

The story unfolds as we learn that San Junipero is actually a virtual world where the deceased can live on, inhabiting their younger selves in a time of their choice. The elderly can also visit and experience the simulated reality. In the real world, Yorkie is paralyzed and confined to a hospital bed after an accident when she came out to her family.

As the relationship between Yorkie and Kelly develops, they must confront their own fears and past traumas. Kelly, hesitant to form emotional attachments, initially avoids Yorkie, but eventually reveals that she is dying. Yorkie, determined to remain in San Junipero permanently, seeks permission from her family to be euthanized so she can be uploaded into the simulation forever.

Yorkie and Kelly's relationship serves as the emotional anchor of the story, drawing audiences into their journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Yorkie's paralyzing accident, caused by her parents' rejection of her sexuality, adds a layer of poignancy and highlights the societal struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. The episode subtly critiques the prejudices that can impact personal choices and unveils importance of compassion and understanding.

Release: 2016

Season: 3

Stars: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mackenzie Davis, Denise Burse

IMDB Score: 8.5/10