Black Mirror Shock: Rashida Jones Reveals Why Amanda’s Ending Was So Brutal

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*Warning – contains full spoilers for Black Mirror: Common People*

In a typical somber tone characteristic of the series, the seventh season premiere of Black Mirror unfolds, concluding on a deeply sorrowful note.

In the episode titled “Common People,” character Amanda (portrayed by Rashida Jones) faces a potentially life-threatening health predicament. To rescue her, her spouse Mike (played by Chris O’Dowd) consents to an operation made possible by the innovative tech firm Rivermind.

Although this brings her back to awareness, it also makes her existence dependent on the corporation, requiring regular monthly payments for their services – these costs escalate over time, growing increasingly burdensome as the service becomes more complex and profit-driven.

Ultimately, due to Amanda’s living conditions deteriorating beyond tolerance and Mike falling behind on payments, they reach a fateful conclusion. He suffocates her, then moves into another room and shuts the door, suggesting he was planning to end his own life.

She responded, “Absolutely not.” Reading it left her stunned, feeling as if she’d been hit in the gut. Her initial reaction was, “What?! Why? That’s cruel!” However, she realized that for the message to be clear, it had to be presented this way. What she meant was, she aimed to ensure that there was no other viable option, is that clear to you?

In essence, we found ourselves inexorably moving towards that pivotal moment. In my opinion, what we were essentially discussing was a tale of love, and each conclusion, though it may seem harsh, represents an act of love.

Reflecting on the experience, I found myself surprisingly proficient at portraying a death scene over the past couple of years, given the number of such roles I’ve had the opportunity to play recently.

She went on to say: “This one amused me, as it required me to accept my own demise and boost my tranquility. Therefore, it seems that the decision arose from a profound sense of contentment with this being the opportune moment.

The sorrow doesn’t rest with me; instead, it lies with Chris’s presentation and the viewers. To maintain a positive mindset – one I appreciate because I believe there’s such widespread apprehension about death – I prefer this perspective.

It seems as though this situation is the most devastating imaginable for anyone. From a cultural perspective, it seems appropriate to delve into it, especially when individuals express a willingness to die, as they believe it represents a more positive state than their current one, where they are suffering.

Did you know about the concept of ‘death with dignity’? I find it comforting to imagine that she has the autonomy to choose this option for herself, making her decision feel right for her.

The episode is then proceeded by another five parts: “Bête Noire”, “Hotel Reverie”, “Plaything”, “Eulogy”, and “USS Callister: Beyond the Horizon”.

The following episodes are “Bête Noire”, “Hotel Reverie”, “Plaything”, “Eulogy”, and “USS Callister: Journey Through Infinity.

The last episode serves as a follow-up to Season 4’s “USS Callister,” and its mastermind, Charlie Brooker, delves into a significant scene from it in this write-up.

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2025-04-11 12:04