Black Mirror fans are shocked that Netflix allowed the first episode of the new series to be aired. Credit: NurPhoto/Getty
Netflix just dropped all six episodes of Black Mirror’s highly anticipated seventh season, and the first episode is already stirring up big reactions.
Titled Common People, the season opener—created by Charlie Brooker—has shocked fans not just for its eerie storyline, but also because many see it as a bold swipe at Netflix itself.
The episode stars Rashida Jones and Chris O’Dowd as Amanda and Mike, a couple trying to have a baby.
When Amanda gets diagnosed with a brain tumor and falls into a coma, Mike is approached by a futuristic tech company called Rivermind.
They offer a radical solution: replace the damaged part of Amanda’s brain with a synthetic one that connects directly to the cloud.
But there’s a catch—Amanda’s new digital life is controlled by her subscription plan. As a basic-tier user, she’s confined to a limited area near Rivermind’s HQ, and targeted ads are streamed straight into her brain without her knowing.
The only way to stop the ads and gain more freedom? Pay for a premium upgrade.
Viewers quickly picked up on the connection to real-world streaming services, with many shocked that Netflix allowed the episode to air.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) posted, “Bold of Netflix to have this Common People episode of Black Mirror.” Another added, “Netflix playing ads right after the ‘ads’ scene in Common People was some (genius) evil s***.”
A third user questioned, “How did Netflix release Common People, an episode of Black Mirror, and not realize they’re part of the problem?” while a fourth commented, “Black Mirror has always shown what a futuristic dystopia could look like. Season 7, Episode 1, Common People, feels more like our current reality.”
Another person pointed out, “It’s pretty ironic Netflix let this air, considering it reflects badly on them. Big kudos to the creators.”
When Variety asked if the episode was intentionally aimed at Netflix, Brooker downplayed the idea.
“Almost disappointingly, no,” he said. “I’d love to say we’re rebels who snuck this in, but it actually came about in a more genuine way from several different angles.”
He explained that the inspiration came from something more ordinary. “One part came from listening to podcasts and noticing how ads sneak in seamlessly. Hosts just go into sponsored segments without skipping a beat. That sparked a comedic idea.”
All seven seasons of Black Mirror are now available for streaming on Netflix.
Ready for the next one!
