Black Mirror Season 7 has finally premiered, and fans have become curious about the ending of the premiere episode, “Common People,” and what happens to the main characters, Amanda and Mike. The sci-fi anthology series was created by Charlie Brooker, who is also known for his work on shows like Brass Eye and Nathan Barley.
So, do Amanda and Mike die in Black Mirror Season 7, Episode 1, “Common People”? Here’s all you need to know.
Do Amanda and Mike die in Black Mirror Season 7: Common People?
Amanda dies in Black Mirror Season 7, Episode 1, “Common People.” Meanwhile, Mike’s fate is left ambiguous.
In “Common People,” Amanda and Mike, a working-class couple wishing to expand their family, face a tragedy when Amanda enters into a coma. Mike, grieving Amanda’s situation, soon gets an opportunity for a life-saving procedure when he meets Gaynor.
Gaynor, a representative of a medical tech company, pitches Mike an experimental technology known as Rivermind. She tells Mike that Rivermind can restore Amanda’s cognitive capabilities and that the surgery is free — with a $300 monthly subscription model. However, there’s a catch — Amanda has to sleep for additional hours and must stay within coverage range.
Mike agrees to use Rivermind, and the couple soon find themselves dealing with multiple drawbacks. Mike is drained from working extra shifts at his construction job to afford the mounting expenses, while Amanda ends up sleeping for longer hours due to Rivermind’s servers demanding more energy. They also find that the service’s coverage does not extend very far.
In response, Gaynor suggests Rivermind+, costing $500 per month with coverage extending across all of North America.
Things only get worse when Rivermind+ becomes a standard subscription. Amanda soon finds herself unknowingly speaking commercial advertisements and sleeping for longer periods. Mike humiliates himself on the internet for extra cash to cover expenses.
Gaynor later introduces Rivermind Lux, a premium tier offering enhanced sensations. However, this tier costs $1,000 monthly — well beyond Amanda and Mike’s budget. Gaynor then suggests affordable booster packets for temporary benefits.
One year later, Mike and Amanda are completely drained by Rivermind’s demands and have lost their jobs. Amanda informs Mike of her decision to die, and he agrees. Mike then smothers Amanda with a pillow while she delivers an advertisement. Mike later enters the room where he filmed internet videos and looks into the camera.
