Bête Noire

Started with Common People which immediately made me feel like the pilot episode and I knew I was in. Then came into this episode fully blind and without expectations and left obsessed!!!! So far it has a great level, better than seasons 5 and 6 at least. This one had a particular way to easily build up unbearable tension along with simple scenes, and ended up on a total chaos and a surreal ending sequence. Many people will surely find bad things, but I truly loved this episode. It comes back to that surreal fantasy approach that only Black Mirror could possibly achieve. Hyped for the USS Callister sequel now.

In Bête Noire, the second episode of Black Mirror Season 7, the narrative delves into the unsettling intersection of technology, memory, and personal trauma. The story follows Maria, a high-ranking executive at a confectionery company, whose life is disrupted by the reappearance of Verity, a former schoolmate. Verity's arrival coincides with a series of inexplicable alterations in Maria's reality, leading her to question the nature of her experiences and memories.

As the plot unfolds, it is revealed that Verity possesses a device-a pendant connected to a "quantum compiler"-that allows her to manipulate reality, effectively rewriting the world around her. This power enables Verity to exact revenge for past grievances, blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator. Maria's struggle to reclaim her sense of self and reality becomes a poignant exploration of the impact of unresolved trauma and the ethical implications of wielding such transformative technology

Bête Noire challenges viewers to consider the consequences of altering reality to serve personal narratives. It raises critical questions about the morality of using technology to reshape the world according to individual desires, especially when such actions infringe upon the autonomy and experiences of others. The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the seductive nature of control and the potential for technology to exacerbate, rather than heal, psychological wound

If given the power to rewrite reality, would you use it to heal your past-or to make others suffer for it?

This was almost a complete rip-off of the classic Twilight Zone episode Wordplay, where the meanings of everyday words suddenly change, one at a time, but the main character is the only one who notices.

But, as I watched it, I realized they did such a great job creating a truly modern version of that classic episode.

Siena Kelly and Rosy McEwen both gave top notch acting performances. Totally believable, completely got me into this remake/reimagining. The first little thing that changed had me jumping back in the episode to check and realizing I didn't even notice that little detail.

But, then at the very end, the last minute or two, they just completely botched it. This episode was destined to be a modern classic rivaling the original Twilight episode, then they just cut to the end and threw in a completely predictable ending with zero imagination. Like all that incredibly creative story and build-up, just to say, "Yes, human beings really are just plain stupid." Oh, OK.

This episode still rates a 7/10, even with the incredibly disappointing ending, that's how good 99% of the episode was. Easily a 9/10 or even possibly a 10/10 episode, just completely screwed by impatience, poor writing, or a wish to screw with the audience, give us the middle finger.

Too bad, but still enjoyable...

Food developer Maria's nose is put out of joint when her former school pupil Verity takes a role at her place of work. Things start to go wrong for Maria, but is she losing control of reality?

Not just a story of revenge, but a story of out and out loathing, Bête Noire is Black Mirror perhaps not quite at its best, but definitely hitting fourth gear.

I really did enjoy this one, I think it's one that will be better on subsequent viewings.

In these days of deep fakes and altered images, this goes one step further, what if reality itself was altered, the future, though exciting, also adds a few fears.

So dark and twisted, but kind of funny at the same time. We're given something a little different here, I can't quite work out if we're given a happy ending here or not, but it's as close as BM ever gets to one.

I really rated this one, very quirky.

8/10.

This is the tragic season episode I honestly regret watching. The episode begins with a promising build-up, giving the illusion of depth and intrigue. But just when it seems like the story is going somewhere meaningful, it collapses under the weight of its own concept. The sci-fi angle feels forced and ultimately breaks apart, leaving little to reflect on. I can imagine some viewers finding value in its ambition, but it's definitely not for me. What I love about Black Mirror is its ability to make you question society, ethics, and technology. This felt like a throwaway idea with a flat, uninspired ending. Easily one of the worst episodes of the series, right alongside episode 4, "Plaything." Very disappointing.