Indeed, we’re going to need a moment to digest that one.
Black Mirror Season 7 begins with a shocking blow in the episode titled “Common People,” which is a grim and emotionally intense story about a woman who must depend on a subscription-based service to simply survive.
So what unfolds in the finale? Why does Mike (portrayed by Chris O’Dowd) make the decisions he makes, and what does he have in mind as the episode reaches its conclusion? Let’s analyze it.
What is the premise of “Common People”?
The narrative revolves around Amanda (Rashida Jones), a teacher diagnosed with a brain tumor. In a frantic bid to save her, her husband Mike enrolls her in an experimental technology called Rivermind. Sales representative Gaynor (Tracee Ellis Ross) explains that the process entails creating a digital copy of the affected region of Amanda’s brain and uploading it to a central server.
Although the operation itself is free, the hitch is a recurring subscription fee required to keep Amanda’s consciousness from shutting down. The couple struggles to cover the costs. As time passes, Amanda’s quality of life declines: she’s compelled to undergo prolonged sleep intervals so her brain can be utilized to power corporate servers, her mobility is confined by signal zones linked to her subscription tier, and ultimately, she starts to involuntarily recite advertisements — a consequence of not being able to pay for the ad-free option.
Soon, Amanda’s employment is at stake due to these outbursts, and Mike, in desperate need of funds, resorts to a disturbing website called “Dum Dummies,” where participants receive payment to harm themselves during live streams.
And believe it or not, things take an even darker turn from there.
What transpires at the conclusion of “Common People”?
After Mike loses his job in a brutal incident, the couple can no longer afford the Rivermind+ subscription — the only barrier preventing Amanda from being inundated with ads and forced into 16-hour sleep cycles. They beseech the company for assistance but are met with a chilling dismissal.
A year later, on their anniversary, Mike and Amanda experience a fleeting moment of tranquility thanks to a 30-minute booster from Rivermind Lux, a premium level that permits users to amplify feelings like calmness. With her emotional settings fully optimized, Amanda serenely tells Mike, “I think it’s time.”
Mike gently lays her down, expresses his love, and suffocates her with a pillow as she utters one last advertisement. The final image of the episode shows Mike entering an empty room with a scalpel in hand. His computer screen remains open to the Dum Dummies site.
What are Mike’s intentions?
In contrast to some Black Mirror episodes that conclude with a twist, “Common People” depicts a gradual, unrelenting decline into hopelessness. The concluding scenes reveal Mike and Amanda at their most desperate, with no feasible alternatives remaining. Amanda is ensnared in a degrading existence, and Mike bears the burden of keeping her alive through increasingly degrading tactics.
The implication is unmistakable: after relieving Amanda of her suffering, Mike is poised to take his own life — likely to be live-streamed on Dum Dummies for monetary gain. The open website on his computer suggests he aims to profit from his final moments in one last desperate act.
Black Mirror Season 7 is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
If you or someone you are aware of is grappling with suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, assistance is accessible. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also contact the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860, the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386, or text “START” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741. For additional resources, visit crisischat.org or findahelpline.com for international assistance.