In true “Black Mirror” from, the series reminded just how meta they can be with a bit of technological performance art. Warning, spoilers for “Black Mirror” season 7 ahead. The plot for season 7, episode 2 (titled Bête Noire) becomes clear fairly quickly into the episode when viewers start to realize the character that returns (Verity) from the protagonists (Maria) past, is actually gaslighting her…in a reality altering way.
It starts to feel like a twisted version of the Mandela Effect until we learn exactly how Verity is making Maria’s world change at will. Fans loved the psychological aspect of this episode, but in sharing their experiences online, something else became evident. “Black Mirror” and Netflix were gaslighting it’s viewers, just for fun.
It starts to feel like a twisted version of the Mandela Effect until we learn exactly how
Verity is making Maria’s world change at will.
One of the more Mandel Effect moments was about a third of the way into the episode, when coworkers debated the spelling of a name of a beloved fast food franchise. Some remember the name as “Barnies” while others remember it as “Bernies”. The main character of the epiosde, Maria, has a boyfriend who worked there but is proven wrong by what we later learn is Verity’s reality altering technology.
To confuse fans even more though, Netflix released 2 versions of the episode, one where each spelling of the name is correct nd one where its is wrong. Netflix then posted on X the “Bernies” spelling before the “Black Mirror” X account posted the opposite spelling. Which is it truly? The answer isn’t important, but fans still want to know!
“Bandersnatch” was the last time the Producers of the show were able to really play with hidden messages and secret codes, but what else do they have in store for our “Black Mirror” future that seems less and less like the future, every day?
Netflix has yet to comment on the 2 versions of the episode which leaves us wondering if there are in fact other variations that nobody has noticed.
What did you think? Has “Black Mirror” normalized gaslighting? Are there any other hidden messages or mind games? Where is the season 8 announcement?
Did you see Bête Noire? Let us know your favorite moment and what you think in the comments below!
