As the seventh season of the critically acclaimed anthology series Black Mirror kicks off, it does so with a particularly harrowing episode titled "Common People." This dark narrative, which stars Chris O'Dowd and Rashida Jones as a couple grappling with a life-threatening illness, serves as a chilling commentary on the intersection of technology, capitalism, and the human experience.
The episode opens with Amanda, a dedicated elementary school teacher, who unexpectedly falls into a coma after being diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. Her husband, Mike, portrayed by O'Dowd, is presented with a seemingly miraculous solution: an experimental treatment from a startup called Rivermind. This service promises to remove the damaged portion of Amanda's brain and replace it with synthetic material, allowing her to regain her cognitive functions—at least temporarily. However, the catch is that while the surgery is free, maintaining Amanda's brain functionality requires a subscription fee of $300 per month.
Initially, the prospect of saving Amanda's life fills Mike with hope. In a world where healthcare often feels commodified, Rivermind's model is particularly unsettling. As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that the subscription costs are not static; they increase over time, paralleling the real-world frustrations many face with rising service fees from various platforms. This phenomenon, aptly termed "enshttification" by writer Cory Doctorow, highlights how companies often prioritize profit over user experience, a theme that resonates throughout the episode.
As Mike and Amanda navigate their new reality, the couple finds themselves ensnared in a financial trap. In order to keep Amanda alive, Mike is compelled to upgrade to "Rivermind Plus," which costs an additional $500 per month. This upgrade grants them the ability to leave their designated service area and disables the targeted ads that Amanda unwittingly spouts during conversations. These ads, which turn Amanda into a walking commercial, jeopardize her job and further complicate their dire situation.
In a desperate bid to cover the escalating costs, Mike turns to a dark web site called Dum Dummies, where he participates in dangerous and humiliating challenges for cash. His decision to engage in such risky behavior illustrates the extreme lengths one might go to for love and survival. However, this choice ultimately leads to his downfall, as he loses his job after being exposed on the platform.
The emotional weight of "Common People" is palpable, with scenes depicting the toll that prolonged financial strain takes on both Amanda and Mike. Amanda, who once thrived as a teacher, now struggles with her health, requiring up to 16 hours of sleep a day, yet never feeling rested. The couple's relationship deteriorates under the pressure of their circumstances, mirroring the struggles of many who find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt and desperation.
In a particularly poignant moment, Mike gifts Amanda a 12-hour "Rivermind Lux" subscription for their anniversary, allowing her to adjust her settings for relaxation and pleasure. However, this brief reprieve is short-lived, as Amanda's condition continues to worsen. The episode starkly contrasts their past happiness with their current despair, culminating in a heartbreaking conclusion.
As Amanda's health declines, she expresses her desire to end her life on her own terms. In a gut-wrenching scene, Mike suffocates her with a pillow, fulfilling her final wish while he himself is left to grapple with the emotional fallout. The episode ends on a haunting note, as Mike, visibly broken, prepares to livestream his own demise on Dum Dummies, suggesting that he too has succumbed to the relentless pressures of their reality.
Critics have lauded "Common People" for its unflinching portrayal of the commodification of healthcare and the moral dilemmas that arise in a world driven by technological advancement and profit motives. The episode's commentary extends beyond its narrative, provoking viewers to reflect on the implications of a society where life-saving treatments operate as subscription services.
Jones, who plays Amanda, noted in an interview that Mike's decision to pursue the Rivermind treatment was not made lightly. "What was she going to do? He loves me. It didn’t feel like much of a choice," she explained, emphasizing the emotional stakes involved. Ross, who portrays Gaynor, the Rivermind salesperson, echoed this sentiment, highlighting how even characters like Gaynor are trapped within the systems they perpetuate.
The episode also features a hidden message within its advertising, warning that Rivermind Lux is not suitable for children or the recently deceased and includes a bizarre directive for AI to hasten the violent death of its creator. This dark humor aligns perfectly with Black Mirror's tradition of embedding social critiques within its narratives, making viewers question the implications of emerging technologies.
As Black Mirror continues to explore the darker sides of human interaction with technology, "Common People" stands out as a powerful reminder of the potential consequences of our choices in an increasingly monetized world. The episode's haunting portrayal of love, desperation, and the human condition resonates deeply, leaving audiences to ponder the ethical ramifications of technological dependence.
In a world where subscription services dominate, Black Mirror*'s latest offering urges viewers to consider the long-term effects of our choices and the moral complexities that accompany them. As the series evolves, it remains a critical lens through which we can examine our relationship with technology and the systems that govern our lives.
