Black Mirror Season 7: Exploring the Dark Themes of “Common People”
The much-anticipated season 7 of Black Mirror kicks off with a thought-provoking episode titled “Common People.” This installment captures the show’s signature blend of advanced technology and the unforeseen consequences it often brings. The narrative centers around Amanda (Rashida Jones) and Mike (Chris O’Dowd), a seemingly ordinary couple whose lives are rocked by a shocking medical crisis.
When Amanda is diagnosed with a brain tumor and subsequently slides into a coma, hope appears in the form of an experimental therapy called RiverMind. This cutting-edge treatment ultimately saves Amanda’s life, but it comes with a hefty price tag in the form of a monthly subscription that Mike must manage. As the story unfolds, the couple finds themselves in a tightening financial vice, forced to make heart-wrenching choices regarding Amanda’s care and quality of life.
What Happens to Amanda at the End of “Common People”?
Amanda’s Heart-Wrenching Decision
As the episode progresses, Amanda’s recovery brings unforeseen complications related to the RiverMind subscription. Initially, the treatment seems to restore her capabilities, albeit with increased dependence on technical upgrades. However, soon it becomes clear that the innovations of RiverMind come at an extreme cost—overnight transformations become standards, and Amanda’s suffering intensifies.
Despite Mike’s relentless efforts to provide for Amanda, including extreme measures to keep her upgraded, their financial situation deteriorates. Eventually, they find themselves grappling with a painful decision as Amanda’s health falters. In the climactic finale, Amanda, no longer able to endure her plight, instructs Mike to make an unimaginable choice. The toll that RiverMind takes on both their lives starkly illustrates the episode’s grim themes.
Does Mike End His Life in “Common People”?
Mike’s Dark Conclusion
While Amanda is the primary focus of the RiverMind treatment, Mike increasingly feels its effects as he spirals deeper into desperation for survival. Struggling to afford the escalating costs of the service, he ends up making hazardous decisions, including resorting to a dark online platform known as Dum Dummies—where individuals pay to witness others inflict harm upon themselves. Ironically, his attempts to ensure Amanda’s wellness lead him down a path of moral degradation.
As the narrative progresses, Mike’s despair becomes palpable. To afford the necessary subscriptions, he compromises his well-being, ultimately culminating in an alarming decision at the episode’s conclusion. After Amanda’s tragic fate is sealed, Mike’s closing scene leaves viewers contemplating his next move, as it heavily hints at yet another self-destructive act, betraying the overwhelming despair that consumes him.
Understanding RiverMind Technology
Exploring RiverMind’s Complexities
In “Common People,” the RiverMind technology serves as a powerful metaphor for the reliance on technology in contemporary life. It offers a facade of hope while masking sinister consequences that dehumanize its users. RiverMind is presented as an innovative medical breakthrough, but its operations—requiring constant subscriptions for basic functionality—expose the dark underbelly of our societal reliance on such services.
Ultimately, the RiverMind saga underscores a harrowing truth: while it offers the promise of life, it extracts a far greater price, both emotionally and financially, from those who seek its assistance.
Deciphering the Core Themes of “Common People”
At its core, “Common People” grapples with profound themes of love, sacrifice, and the implications of financial strain in healthcare. The treatment almost becomes a metaphor for how corporations exploit the vulnerable. The episode critiques the often predatory nature of modern healthcare and technology, revealing how hope can morph into despair under the wrong circumstances.
Furthermore, “Common People” functions as a dark satire on the streaming industry, reflecting how subscription models can entrap users in a cycle of dependency and escalating costs. By revisiting the darker themes emblematic of Black Mirror, this episode sets a foreboding tone for the season, leaving audiences introspective and unsettled.