Black Mirror consistently challenges perceptions of reality.
The dystopian sci-fi series on Netflix, created by Charlie Brooker, often highlights the darker side of technology.
Since its initial release in 2011, the show has had a profound impact. The seventh series premiered on April 10 and has already sparked conversation.
What has particularly intrigued viewers is a potential intentional glitch in the second episode, ‘Bête Noire’.
Be aware that this article includes spoilers.
Some viewers have created conspiracy theories, alleging that parts of the episode, particularly related to a restaurant, are spelled differently, echoing the protagonist’s own descent into madness over the issue.
The narrative centers on Maria, portrayed by Siena Kelly, whose life begins to unravel due to her former high school adversary, Verity, played by Rosy McEwen.
Verity is determined to destabilize Maria’s world, utilizing a futuristic pendant to manipulate Maria’s perception of reality, while everyone else remains unaware.
Maria insists her boyfriend previously worked at a chicken eatery called ‘Barnie’s,’ a name the show hints at with a logo on a red and white hat he wears.
Maria’s colleagues dispute this, claiming the restaurant was named ‘Bernie’s’ and challenge her to verify the name.
An online search supports her colleagues, leaving Maria in doubt about her life, especially when her boyfriend’s hat appears to have changed to Bernie’s.
Beyond Maria’s experience, fans claim the show itself is deceiving viewers, with many taking to social media to report differing spellings of the chicken shop across different viewings.
One Twitter user noted: “So my friend and I were watching the new Black Mirror episode “Bête Noire” and we noticed that there was a stark difference between our episodes… even the viewers are getting gaslit at 16:40!”
Numerous users then shared screenshots from the specified moment, showing variations between Bernies and Barnies.
In response to this revelation, a viewer stated they checked their version and saw Barnies.
“Black Mirror is also playing with its viewers by showing one episode with two different scenes. Diabolical,” they remarked.
“Black Mirror filming two versions of the bernie’s/barnie’s scene and distributing them randomly is next level diabolical,” another added.
One viewer noticed a difference between their version and their daughter’s.
Despite this, many others appreciate it as part of the show’s unique brilliance.
“Wtf Black Mirror you did it again!” exclaimed another fan.
Another added: “This is what Black Mirror is all about.”
“That’s actually a cool gimmick, or whatever you wanna call it,” commented another.
“Man the Black Mirror creators are chaotic geniuses,” one fan said. “They went through all this work so when we discussed the episodes with others we would all go insane with the mandela effect.”