Black Mirror Explained: A Shared Universe

Charlie Brooker says the Black Mirror "flavor" is like a box of chocolates, and they're all dark chocolates. We explore some of the show's Easter Eggs, as well as how the episodes share a common tone and worldview. DISCLAIMER: We don't discuss every single Black Mirror Easter Egg here. Share in the comments if you want to talk about more of them!
Correction: The episode "White Christmas" was incorrectly identified as S3E7, when it should be S2E4. The episode aired as a Christmas special in 2014 following the release of Season 2 on Channel 4.
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[@pineapplepie52]

Thats why I usually introduce this show to new viewers as "a modern Twilight Zone"

[@ethansylvester4211]

Rebecca Steinberg I literally say it’s Twilight zone, but instead of monsters it’s technology everyone fears.

[@armonicorbett]

Yes my thoughts exactly

[@SanchezS1998]

The reboot of The Outer Limits also come to mind. Valerie 23 and the episode with the Gideon robot are still rather haunting

[@briyanatillman3662]

I say the same thing!

[@rahstara]

OMG THAT'S WHAT I SAID

[@grahamvandyke]

The scary part is in some ways we're getting close to Black Mirror's Universe, if not already there.

[@itzmufasa1791]

Your comment was from 3 years ago. Now look. The metaverse is coming 😓. I hope you thrive thru these time anybody who reads this

[@goddessbih958]

@@itzmufasa1791 💯

[@paulj8213]

Calling from 2022. Can confirm we are here.

[@12DAMDO]

@@paulj8213 Neurolink hasn't happened yet, there's still time

[@observer5615]

@@itzmufasa1791 that's was just facebook rebranding social places in the VR sector, things like VRchat existed before metaverse and yes we already did had all the degenerate and filthy stuff that you see in black mirror it was just not popular to normie people... hell even online minecraft, second Life and gta v online are to some extend like metaverse it's just that they're not in VR, like most people don't even understand what metaverse is so they just really think Facebook invented something but in reality they just stole that shit from the gamers..

[@azdgariarada]

This is an amazingly excellent analysis of the series. If there weren't so many spoilers, I'd suggest using this as a way to explain to the uninitiated why they should watch the show.

[@GloomGaiGar]

"Worst case scenario of every technology invented since the internet/smartphone was made available to the public." That's how I summarize it.

[@muzzajbrown]

Perhaps best watched at the end of season 3? Gives us a reason to watch it all again while waiting for season 4.

[@chocohellokitty]

I’m only on season one episode one and I can’t wait until it gets good

[@brianmichaelh23]

Season 4 just basically confirmed it's all a shared universe. Each episode has a few references from previous seasons

[@cadebowman4582]

The ‘anyone who knows what love is’ song continues recurring many more times than you listed, for example it’s also in the car scene where that girl is singing in “crocodile”

[@andreluizschmitt2493]

Idk why I always surprise myself with your videos, the depth of the analysis are stunning, you should have more views, much better than some other big channels, keep the good work

[@thetake]

Thanks Andre! We're so happy you're enjoying what we're doing. Keep watching and spreading the word!

[@ekelly120]

Andre Luiz Schmitt p

[@defeater5497]

I more than agree, I came down to the comments to say the same thing

[@giomjava]

Andre Luiz Schmitt I'd like to join the sentiment :) great channel!

[@Charlesarnoldthomas]

it's called Black Mirror as a reference to a switched off phone screen

[@SWLinPHX]

No, black mirror can refer to that but it’s first meaning is a mirror held up reflecting our society. It’s a look at ourselves and what we are becoming with all this technology in a foreboding, dark “black“ way.

[@BakaryD]

Not only phones, TVs, Computers...

[@jjsmith706]

"No, black mirror can refer to that but it’s first meaning is a mirror" It's called a double entendre - a word or phrase with two meanings. It is "yes" to both.

[@LisaSimpson2]

Wow I never realised that before so thank you... an interesting theory :-D

[@missbelle_elle]

to everyone’s response, now that you’ve viewed the ‘ program ‘ it’s definitely going to manifest much faster on such a large scale as Netflix viewers. So, let’s just say that black mirror when all said and done, is a quicker, more elegant way for us to 100% create this or any reality we view as “ just a show “ 👌🏻 keep feeding the entity. Jk. Don’t. Try to consider what you’re allowing in your awareness & what you breathe life into ❤️

[@tannerepic4021]

The black girl from USS cal lister was the airplane girl from nosedive

[@MimMdance]

Was she also that guy´s new partner in Black Museum?

[@heythereimholly1090]

MimM no she was different. That girl is from Black Panther. Never seen the girl from callister and nosedive anywhere else

[@BakaryD]

In both episodes she acts like a bitch lmao

[@OrlandoVlog]

The investigator girl of the bee chapter it’s in the white Christmas chapter too

[@MidnighPlanets]

@Hamza Alwajih Akiva your awful personality is showing

[@manny6501]

It's so hard to find new original and interesting channels lately that actually try to bring something new to KZbin. I'm glad I found this channel. Keep up the good work!

[@mbs811]

This channel is unbelievable. Truly, thank you so much for the extremely in depth and thorough analyses you do.

[@ohmyadc4657]

Every TV show ever: we're gonna give you a great lesbian couple, but then kill them !! Because that's realistic !! Charlie Brooker: I'm gonna give y'all a great lesbian couple, and they're going to live forever. Every TV show ever: but- Charlie Brooker: FOREVER

[@BlueRoseFaery]

Most Black Mirror episodes either leave me adrift in silent horror, or analyzing the current political/social climate & thinking how easy we could become like that. San Junipero however just leaves me crying over it's beauty of second chances, new love for older people (also not a thing seen much unless played for comedy), & lesbian love. The happy ending is so unexpected, for so many reasons. Leave it to Black Mirror with it's near-future scifi to actually give us something realistic that so many other shows don't, a loving lesbian couple who gets to be happy & "live".

[@dasaunmcclinton68]

BlueRoseFaery The ending of San Junipero isn't a happy one. The people there slowly lose their capacity to feel or care about pretty much everything and get caught up completely in the never ending now. The thing that makes life worth living is that it ends and the database extends it forever to the detriment of all who take part, which is why there's that death rock club. Everything loses means eventually in the simulation.

[@ninjastarz7]

Their consciousness continues to live happily. San Junipero wasn't an endless torment. The residents could choose to move on and die whenever they wanted, which I imagine the two girls did.

[@SteelBallRun1890]

Nindzya their 'consciousness' is gone. The people in the San Junipero server are digital copies, ghosts in a machine, nothing more. They pretty much just become new complex NPC's for people to see.

[@hanniffydinn6019]

Rohan Kishibe and 『Heaven's Door』 big question mate, if reality is a hologram aren't we just digital avatars anyway ??? What is the difference if you upload you brain into computer ? Most would say there is no difference.

[@FadirMon]

"Black Mirror" is the type of mirror on our phones/tablets/electronics. It's black when off and you can see your reflection in it.

[@HypnotizedByJyi]

This video is wonderful, and beautifully narrated I might add. Thanks for your work, it's exceptional.

[@bigsexyman894]

Disagree, she sounds like a robot

[@luizschee]

THIS CHANNEL IS THE BEST.

[@thetake]

Thank you! Please keep watching and helping us spread the word. It's the most authentic way to find others who are as excited to explore content on a deeper level with us.

[@DonDadda45]

God this channel is awful

[@TFCxAddict]

This is such a fantastic channel; I'm so glad I found it. Every video brings so much meaning to shows/movies I thought I already knew well.

[@thetake]

Thank you! Please share our videos and help us spread the word so we can keep making more.

[@tristan_840]

@@thetake thank you.

[@Raphael-the-Writer]

All the connections between the episodes are really amazing, I never would have noticed them! I just watched "Men Against Fire" yesterday and I knew the song was familiar but unless I binge-watch it (which not a lot of people feel the need to do with "Black Mirror" because each episode is its own thing) of course I never would have caught it. There are definitely a lot of overarching values and elements in the show, but an actual shared universe is quite amazing. I have to say the most unique episode to me is "San Junipero", not because of the technology or the time-swapping (my boyfriend actually thought it was time-travel initially lol), but because of the happy ending, for once! I have to say I was worried with "Nosedive", which was nice but totally predictable and could have used more darkness and a better ending, but every episode since got better and "San Junipero" is maybe my favorite now.

[@Karen-es1ui]

My favorites: Shut Up and Dance (the twist!!) White Bear White Christmas Playtest Be Right Back The Entire History of You San Junipero Fifteen Million Merits The National Anthem Nosedive Men Against Fire Hated in the Nation The Waldo Moment **imo, all the episodes are great. They shine a new light into social issues/future social issues that not many people talk about. I truly believe there are no "bad" episodes in this series. All were very entertaining!

[@Ratchet2431]

The Waldo Moment is very simple, it does not have any interesting message or criticism. The same with Playtest. If it had a message, I think I'm stupid because I did not see any. And the twist was predictable.

[@Sienna.Jen2971]

Ratchet Achenbach I believe Waldo did have a message but I have to rewatch it to jolt my memory. Or you could look up analysis on it if you are interested in doing so. You're right about Play test not having any particular message but it was very entertaining. One of my favorites.

[@98loud]

+Ratchet Achenbach The Waldo Moment predicted Trump's presidential run years before it happened. As for Playtest, the main character tried to escape his dad's death and his mother's grieving by going around the world. He then goes into a simulation, which is not only in another country than his mom, but it's also in a virtual world. However, by going as far as he could from his issues, he ended up having them shoved in his face and terrorized by them. Also, him not dealing with his problems is what ultimately killed him.

[@Sienna.Jen2971]

Timothy Matheny you must of misunderstood the use of the word message because you just explained the entire plot of play test, which was clear. The episode was based around the simple fluke of his cellphone going off and was cut short. We didn't see the full effects of the technology due to this and it also didn't have a connection to our world like most of the other episodes relaying a message to the audience. Basically, the chances of play test manifesting and having a ripple effect was very slim unlike the other episodes where the effects of the technology was real and relatable. So again, it had no message.

[@mainebrown235]

Karen Lu Black Museum

[@katiathecake-lovingcat6912]

This is why I love black mirror. Every single thing that happens isn't just caused by the technology, it's caused by the way we use it. Black Mirror isn't one of those 'ooh fire bad' shows that tells us we need to stop progress because what if something bad happens, it just tell us to be careful, to be mature and actually think about what we're doing. It doesn't blame the progress for the disasters, it blames us, because at the end of the day new technology like we see in the show won't go rouge and kill us. It's like a gun, alone it's harmless, used properly it's useful for defense and hunting for food. If you want to you can kill with it, but the gun isn't the one doing the killing, and it's not because of the gun.

[@chrisreager2614]

Another superb analysis ScreenPrism! Black Mirror is one of the most creative and engaging shows I’ve seen. This video reinforces that. Thank you!

[@justalexfilms]

This channel is going places. Keep up the great work!!

[@akzajju6203]

1:29 White Christmas is actually S02E04 not s03e07.(btw theres is no s03e07)

[@thetake]

Thanks for pointing this out, Arjun. You're right - this episode was a 2014 Christmas special, and it's incorrectly listed in some places so our labels got mixed up. We'll issue a correction in the description.

[@akzajju6203]

No problem. Great job on the video.

[@bunnybag]

In many places it's listed as S03 E00.

[@dodec8449]

What are you talking about? S03E07 is the best Black Mirror episode out there. I love how that episode dives into the world of bitcoins, darknet, etc.

[@dianamarcelaarenasgonzalez3354]

@@dodec8449 udidint get it

[@jarredluzada5700]

I love this channel! It provides viewers an all new perspective about the series or movies they love. You are so passionate in doing analysis, providing symbolisms, explaining references, and ultimately changing the shape of how we see things. You all do these when the normal viewer never thought there were any of it present. Kuddos guys! Some quality content right here! PS: I would love if you make a more in-depth analysis about every episode in Black Mirror. There are so many things to discuss which I know you could gladly provide us 🙂

[@thetake]

Thank you so much!

[@stever507]

Some of these episodes make me glad that I will probably only be around another 40 years in my life. The future does not look like a good place to be.

[@mariahyohannes]

Do you have children?

[@stever507]

@@mariahyohannes Nope and don’t plan to either

[@sanguinedreaming6074]

I usually don't watch videos like this but this was such a good video it really made me feel more at ease about the show

[@reprisler]

i'm glad youtube suggested your video to me. that was a very thoughtful description of in my opinion the most intelligent show of our generation. subbed and thank you. looking forward to watching your other videos.

[@KenBernardez]

I always thought that Black Mirror is like a metaphor of your device's screen when the lights are out. Where you suddenly could see the miserable you in real life. Not the one the virtual world believes who we are.

[@bridge4]

Great video!!! Thanks for making this :)

[@judeannethecandorchannel2153]

Agreed

[@bradderzzcayford6929]

@@judeannethecandorchannel2153 fight me

[@teetee8654]

This channel is cool. I thought these stories some how were all connected. Love this show can't wait for the new ones to come out.

[@emilyrene3836]

Forrest's voice so comforting at the end of this...

[@Sheratim]

"If technology is a drug - and it does feel like a drug - then what, precisely, are the side effects? This area - between delight and discomfort - is where Black Mirror, my new drama series, is set. The 'black mirror' of the title is the one you'll find on every wall, on every desk, in the palm of every hand: the cold, shiny screen of a TV, a monitor, a smartphone." -Charlie Brooker, asked about Black Mirror series' title

[@Staticjokes]

this is a really great and well made video. i love this show its one of my favourites.

[@saroushen]

During the last minute of this video, every clip matched what you were saying, bravo!

[@JWesleyEdwards]

White Bear fucked me up. Hard.

[@vulturevic]

James Edwards it was menacingly spot on.

[@babyhousewifee]

Best show ever !! So well thought out !! Always make me feel like a super smart detective ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@billychambers6400]

This video is very enjoyable! Thanks!!

[@breakfastguru6620]

Love this show!! Great vid

[@JanyllHquez]

I really like this analysis. This channel gives you a very in depth description!! Love it

[@liftlabperformance]

Great show. I cant wait until the next season.

[@jamesfield2442]

This was so good and Charlie is so creative.

[@Tom-lb6xl]

Great analysis, a lot of the things mentioned didn't even cross my mind

[@ceylonphillips9882]

I love and hate black mirror I finished it and just thinking about it kinda just creeps me out and scares me for some reason

[@PiseyHean]

Ceylon Phillips should I watch it?

[@lu.ciel8770]

I watched the first episode and it made me feel physically ill. I keep hearing about the show from different people though and have thought about giving it another shot but that first episode was just disturbing. So I'm also asking, should I give it another shot?

[@justbof7218]

Yes to both of you. The first episode is one of the more mediocre episodes.

[@EatingWithCJ]

@@lu.ciel8770 Idk if you ever finished watching, but in case you haven't, the first episode is the most disturbing. When I recommend the show to people I always tell them to skip it. Literally every episode in the rest of the series is tremendously better than that one and there's no more content like that first episode.

[@lu.ciel8770]

@@EatingWithCJ I actually still haven't. I can understand how some graphic/shocking/even disturbing scenes can help a story along but that episode just seemed gratuitous. Just sick for the sake of it. I plan on giving it another try since my partner's been curious about the show as well. We will definitely skip that first episode though. Thanks for your thoughts :)

[@CerebeloativoTV]

Good Analysis, just subscribed to your channel, keep going!

[@eternalnjem]

Season 4 episode 6 confirms it

[@MatthewChilds7]

S4E6 was my absolute favorite episode of the entire series. Brilliant writing ✍️

[@marhanna93]

should we watch it last?

[@oldmanhands69]

yes. because it contains easter eggs from the episodes earlier in that same season

[@georgiohenderson5998]

karissa c it has easter eggs from other seasons too

[@simoncollins69]

yea but as video points out the clues have been there all along. that episode just forces it down your throat

[@greent26tube]

Amazing analyses. Love your channel.

[@JorgeRodriguez-ih8ub]

I really really love this show, it's very underrated.

[@michelleleongqiuyan]

Great analysis - look forward to more good content :)

[@PaulAdler11]

Awesome video!

[@Shehab.ELRefai]

Great analysis and video

[@aminetanouyat9643]

great video as usual

[@dhaqabk4022]

Watched the first three episodes of the show and had to stop. It was so intense in a way I was not expecting. Definitely going back though.

[@Industrialist2015ofUk]

im English and have seen Black Mirror from the start and luv the darkness of these hypothetical futures, but i love San Junipero for its nostalgic atmosphere and actually happy ending, which is unique in black mirror!

[@samuelgorton4702]

Industrialist2015ofUk It isn't exactly a happy ending. It's not even them. The real ones died and the ones we see are just copies with implanted memories.

[@MimMdance]

San Junipero is the episode that hooked me the most when I first saw it, dream-like score, amazing cast, touching, happy, inspiring, and it´s still my favourite ... but upon recent conexions with other episodes I am starting to think it might be the episode a lot of this series revolves around, and therefore the source of all evil.

[@Wolf10media]

"You never know what you're gonna get" biggest understatement ever when it comes to Black Mirror.

[@NigelDPresents]

Good job, I didn't notice a lot of this.

[@jorgeandresmasisbogantes957]

NigelDPresents I actually loved the Easter Eggs pointed out in the video.

[@Shystichu]

I love this show, great analysis btw. I almost shared it but to those who haven't watched the show yet, it would give away a few things. But I just watched Nosedive and it reminded me of that planet they visited in The Orville. I felt like nosedive was the same planet and we got to see a bit more of that world that was in the orville

[@sofiaguerrero7525]

I love how she described it the show

[@aguy2162]

Love the "Thintelligence" reference. Michael Crichton is my favorite author

[@judeannethecandorchannel2153]

Good analysis of a great series

[@Mattteus]

1:22 whoa that's a lot of easter eggs!

[@SirGeorgioRichy]

Nosedive hit too close to home. One of my favorites

[@bhbluebird]

This show is just a little too good sometimes.

[@BurdieFromHell]

as someone who has not seen season 3, you have choosen so many more clips from three than any other season

[@krissothegreat.3119]

Thanks for this breakdown . i can catch all the links & references .. only on season 1 at the miniute 😎👌

[@rd0676]

guess kaluuya never got out after all

[@rudolf895]

This show is so ahead of its time

[@daniellemorrison7154]

No it's not. It is current 🙄

[@ayt3877]

Nosedive is my favorite ending. It feels like a deep breath after running nonstop

[@MistresstheMediator]

My favorite show EVER!!!❤❤❤

[@scienceisall2632]

Great show. I wish there were more episodes. Now I get by on commentaries

[@vulturevic]

Gary Bates six new ones coming in October or soon thereafter.

[@mrsMonkeys123]

Around 6:45 clips from Men Against Fire (S03E05) are being shown but the left corner says it's from Hated in the Nation (S03E06).

[@SNSWoTClan]

The clips shown starting at 6:38 are mislabelled as being from "Hated in the Nation" (s3e6) but are actually scenes from "Men Against Fire" (s3e5).

[@mp3holder94]

nose dive was my favorite episode. anyone else?

[@troximetal]

Joshua Del Rio it's the realest

[@thatnikkakris2339]

troxi metal fr

[@Deviant69]

SAMEEE

[@ElizabethGilliess]

White Bear had me shook

[@Deviant69]

Joshua Del Rio entire history of you was amazing too

[@crystalsipp8503]

That was really well written

[@MarloAlvarez7]

My favorite show!!!

[@nyxxu9967]

when footage from Men Against Fire was used the episode was mislabeled as Hated in the Nation

[@Grumpygrumpygrumpy]

Black Mirror is the reason why I don't use any Social Media and go back on using a feature phone

[@chanceneck8072]

Screw "flinging me into a pit of despair and then pissing on me", or how you put it! THANK YOU FOR SAN JUNIPERO, CHARLIE!!

[@tincup850]

Can’t wait to see your review of Bandersnatch!!

[@EatingWithCJ]

I love the song that they keep using

[@thecat5819]

Hi guys, love the videos; I noticed that some of the scenes from Men Against fire were mislabeled as Hated in The Nation, and I wanted to bring that to attention. Thanks!

[@saragulyas3695]

2:43 is that abi from the second episode on the billboard?!

[@Mikey10039]

Sara Gulyas yeah lol

[@jason-anthonybryers9939]

Have you done an analysis like this for the OA? I loved this video 😊

[@thetake]

Thank you! Yes, we'll definitely be doing one on the OA. Stay tuned :-)

[@chillytoes1]

you can compare black mirror to the outer limits, which was decades before this show and has the same dark view of the world with a lesson to be taught!! one of my favourite shows!!

[@mikaylagraham1141]

That song also is heard on the radio when that chick is driving to the other chicks house in "crocodile" 👌

[@Pearlflower1]

i love the frist episode ,i wish that timeline can be extend more

[@PepinsSpot]

Brilliant!

[@TurinInquisitor]

6:48 literally the screens and monitors that reflect our society.

[@Krshwunk]

"There are stories in which we do fling you into a pit of despair ... and then piss on you ... because people seem to like that."

[@petrinasmith6853]

I like your definition of "Black Mirror," that was my take on it also. I know Charlie Brooker says it is black screens, but I like the other view of it also. There are many ways to think of it.

[@ilanashkenazi6376]

Gotta love to that flavor

[@Keidoupe]

Theres a Waldo reference in White Christmas where that dating service guy was broadcasting the show to his friends, one of them is the Waldo dude

[@dianewalden6127]

ThIntelligence, love it, gonna so steal it.

[@alexheider5484]

Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. F****** love it.

[@buckyboy28]

At 5:39, it says "Hated in the Nation", but it's actually "Men Against Fire"

[@stefancarpenter4081]

that was cool, Thank you for that

[@MrValeska]

The episode "White Bear" would have made for an excellent movie imo.

[@zEropoint68]

in black mirror, life is less like a box of chocolates and more like a bag of spiders.

[@merdemoiii-7589]

I love this show

[@OktoberJournal]

There were two episodes that messed me up, gave me panick attacks and made me sick to my stomach. Even though I don't like it when that happens (obviously) I still think that Black Mirror is an amazing show, especially when it makes you feel a certain way.

[@j0nsgr8]

If these episodes are connected. Does this mean the facility in season 1 episode 2 is like a energy generating human sweatshop?

[@davidleach7424]

Jonsgr8 no its a microverse inside of rick sanchez's car

[@Yesqwo]

Also, in the end of "Hated in Nation", when Garett looks at the TV watching the news, the bottom text says: "Shou Saito announced a new way of gaming", which is a refference to the "Playtest" episode ;)

[@vulturevic]

The 'movie poster', or at least one of them, shows a baby somewhat hugging a smartphone as if it was the new 'binky'. The new baby blanket. Spooky-key-key-key.