Season seven proves what Black Mirror’s main theme has always been and it’s so sad

Black Mirror has always been on the surface about the dangers of technology in the near future. Across seven seasons and a little spin-off film, we’ve seen how technology can bring out the absolute worst in people and how what often seems like noble intention can become something truly insidious. What really struck me with season seven of Black Mirror though is how this series, more than ever before, has really hit home what the overarching theme of the show really is – that when you love someone, the kindest thing to do is let them go. It’s heartbreaking, but humans are meant to die. Even though it’s unfair, what Black Mirror teaches us is that the alternative is often more harrowing and undignified.

Season seven has really put this message across

Common People is one hell of a way to start a season: Just leave everyone crying. When Amanda and Mike, a very in love couple, face tragedy after she collapses at work – Mike rushes to preserve her life with Rivermind. Rivermind are an insidious company running a monthly subscription where their synthetic tissue replaces tumours and gives them more control over human autonomy than is morally right – unless you pay extortionate fees.

Of course, Mike jumps at the chance and deals with the consequences later. Because why would you not? You’d do anything to keep your loved one going and have that little bit more time with them. But the episode teaches us that such interference obviously has totally harrowing consequences.

It’s not the only time the show’s explored this

In season two’s Be Right Back, after a tragedy the technology once again tries to preserve someone’s longevity with heartbreaking consequences.

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The only time the show truly plays from this mantra is in the joyous San Junipero. Which puts a positive spin on death and technology, but even then the euphoric ending is heavenly in its portrayal of the afterlife – and the letting go needs to happen first. The hard part.

We can play with many things in this life with technology, but the thought of corporations having the power to do anything they manage to do with Amanda in Common People is beyond terrifying to comprehend. The main theme Black Mirror tells us is to deal with the sorrow to be kind in the long run.

Black Mirror season seven is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.