In a deliciously ironic twist, Black Mirror’s latest season opener “Common People” serves up a biting critique of subscription-based services – while streaming exclusively on Netflix. The episode, part of the show’s seventh season, might just be its most audacious commentary yet on our tech-obsessed world.
The story follows Amanda (Rashida Jones) and Mike (Chris O’Dowd), a couple desperately trying to conceive when tragedy strikes. After Amanda develops a brain tumor and falls into a coma, a tech startup called Rivermind swoops in with a solution that sounds equal parts miraculous and terrifying: replace the damaged brain tissue with a synthetic, cloud-connected version.
Here’s where it gets uncomfortably familiar – and brilliantly cutting. Amanda’s new brain comes with subscription tiers, turning her consciousness into a freemium service. As a “basic” member, she’s forced to endure ads playing directly through her mind and can’t stray too far from Rivermind HQ. Want to stop being a human billboard? Better upgrade that subscription! The parallels to modern streaming services are so on-the-nose it hurts.
Social media exploded with viewers pointing out the delicious meta-commentary. “Bold of Netflix to have this Common People episode,” one viewer tweeted, while another noted darkly, “The call is coming from inside the house.” The episode sparked intense discussions about our willingness to accept increasingly invasive subscription models in exchange for convenience.
What makes “Common People” particularly brilliant is how it builds on Black Mirror’s trademark technological horror with a hefty dose of corporate satire. The episode doesn’t just criticize subscription culture – it shows its insidious evolution, from minor inconvenience to literal mind control.
Perhaps the episode’s greatest trick is its very existence. There’s something deeply unsettling about watching a critique of predatory subscription models… through a subscription service. As one viewer put it: “That’s actually bleak af and makes it all the more terrifying.” The fact that Netflix greenlit an episode that seems to mock its own business model adds an extra layer of dystopian discomfort.
Surprisingly, creator Charlie Brooker claims he wasn’t specifically targeting Netflix. The inspiration allegedly came from observing how naturally podcast hosts slip into ad reads – though many viewers might find that hard to believe. Either way, the episode serves as a chilling warning about where our subscription-obsessed culture might be heading.
Whether intentional or not, “Common People” delivers a masterclass in dark satire, forcing us to confront our own willing participation in an increasingly subscription-driven world. Just don’t think too hard about paying Netflix to watch it.