Black Mirror’s latest episode, "Plaything," dives deep into the intertwining worlds of video games and human psychology, showcasing a narrative that is both eerily familiar and unsettlingly futuristic. Released on April 10, 2025, as part of the seventh season of the acclaimed anthology series, this episode connects back to the interactive special, "Bandersnatch," while exploring themes of obsession, technology, and morality.
Set in a near-future London where an all-seeing state computer monitors the populace, the episode follows Cameron Paul Walker, played by Peter Capaldi, a disheveled ex-games journalist who finds himself embroiled in a murder investigation. At the onset, Cameron is arrested for attempting to steal a bottle of wine, but the story unfolds through flashbacks to 1994, the year when he was a young video game journalist for PC Zone magazine.
In these flashbacks, viewers meet young Cameron, played by Lewis Gribben, who is assigned to review an innovative video game created by the eccentric programmer Colin Ritman, portrayed by Will Poulter. Ritman, a character first introduced in "Bandersnatch," is on a mission to develop a game that transcends traditional gaming experiences. He introduces Cameron to "Thronglets," a digital lifeform whose biology is entirely artificial, intended to encourage players to nurture and care for them.
The episode cleverly weaves in autobiographical elements from Charlie Brooker, the creator of Black Mirror, who began his career as a games journalist in the 1990s. Just as Cameron writes for PC Zone, Brooker contributed reviews and cartoons to the magazine, making the narrative feel personal and relatable. The episode features numerous nods to 1990s gaming culture, including references to iconic titles and the aesthetic of the time, which Brooker captures with precision.
As Cameron becomes increasingly obsessed with the Thronglets, he isolates himself from human connections, leading to a tragic encounter with Lump, a drug dealer who supplies him with LSD. In a fit of rage after Lump tortures the Thronglets, Cameron kills him, dismembering the body and disposing of it in the woods. This chilling act echoes real-life crimes, drawing parallels to the notorious case of Robert Durst, a convicted killer whose own story of dismemberment and evasion of law enforcement is well-documented.
Fast forward to the present timeline, where Cameron, now a reclusive figure, has orchestrated his arrest to gain access to the police’s Central State Computer. His intention is to transmit a message from the Throng, claiming they can lead humanity to a new form of collective intelligence. Throughout the interrogation, he insists on drawing a QR code, which he believes will allow the Throng to merge with the human consciousness, leading to what he calls a "singularity event."
The episode culminates in a dramatic twist: as Cameron’s plan unfolds, he reveals that he wants to upgrade humanity by merging it with the Throng, suggesting that humans will no longer need to rely on drugs or surgery to enhance their minds. However, the nature of this upgrade remains ambiguous, leaving viewers questioning whether it is a benevolent evolution or a sinister takeover.
Brooker’s exploration of addiction, technology, and human violence is profound, as he reflects on how easily individuals can become ensnared by their obsessions. In a poignant moment, Cameron articulates his belief that humanity's violent tendencies are ingrained, yet he proposes that cooperation is the only way to advance as a species. The episode challenges the audience to consider whether surrendering to a collective intelligence could be the solution to humanity's issues or a pathway to extinction.
As the episode closes, viewers are left with a cliffhanger: Cameron extends his hand to DCI Kano, the interrogating officer, suggesting a potential merging with the Throng. This moment encapsulates the episode’s central question: are the Thronglets a path to salvation or a harbinger of doom?
"Plaything" not only serves as a sequel to "Bandersnatch" but also stands alone as a haunting reflection on the consequences of technology and addiction. As fans eagerly discuss the implications of the episode, they are also drawn to the newly launched mobile game, Thronglets, which mirrors the narrative's themes of nurturing and control.
With all six episodes of Black Mirror's seventh season now available for streaming on Netflix, viewers are left to ponder the ethical dilemmas presented in each story, particularly in "Plaything," where the line between humanity and technology blurs more than ever.
