Black Mirror season 7: all the Easter eggs you might have missed
These are the 'Easter eggs' discreetly tucked into the scripts and which generally refer back to previous episodes. The latest season is no different: here are some of those playful references stirred into the misanthropic mix. And yes, there will be spoilers!
Common People
At the start of the episode, Rashida Jones's Amanda is teaching her class about 'autonomous drone bees' – the same self-replicating artificial insects introduced in season three's Hated in the Nation. Jones, of course, wrote the script for another season three instalment, Nosedive. Later, the The Juniper lodge where Amanda and husband Mike (Chris O'Dowd) spend their anniversaries is a nod towards the series three tearjerker episode, San Junipero – though the storylines do not otherwise intersect.
The couple's anniversary is soundtrack by Irma Thomas' Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand) – a favourite of Black Mirror that was sung by Jessica Brown Findlay's Abi in 15 Million Merits (season one) and which played in the background Joan is Awful from 2023.
Further in, when Mike is shaming himself for cash on Dum Dummies, one of the users goading him is named I_AM_Waldo, which refers to the season two episode, The Waldo Moment, where a foul-mouthed cartoon character is elected to high office.
When Amanda and Mike meet Rivermind executive Gaynor, the office for 'Skillane Legal' can be seen across the hall. The law firm featured in Joan is Awful and is named after Victoria Skillane, the protagonist in series two's White Bear.
Common People also foreshadows the next episode, Bête Noire, which takes place at confectionery manufacturer Ditta – one of the businesses Amanda plugs when adverts are added to her plan. Elsewhere, the fictional silent movie Hotel Reverie – which pops up later in the season – is playing in a cinema that the couple walk past.
Bête Noire
Maria's (Siena Kelly) boyfriend used to work at Barnie's – a fast food chain previously referenced in White Christmas, Shut Up and Dance, Metalhead and Joan is Awful.
The teacher with whom Verity (Rosy McEwen) is wrongly accused of having an affair is a 'Mr Kendrick' – might he be related to the psychologist Mr Kendrick, played by Michael Cera in 2014's White Christmas?
The lobby of Ditta contains a literal 'White Bear' Easter egg – referring to the season two episode. White Bear is referenced again in the fact that Maria (Siena Kelly) and Verity went to Colworth Manor High – Colworth being the town where Channel 4 filmed White Bear.
Verity's LinkedIn profile references to WayHaven Travel, the hotel chain from season three's Shut Up and Dance.
In one chilling scene, Verity drains an entire carton of almond milk and then blames Maria. The brand of the milk is Raiman – the name of the main character in series three's Men Against Fire (who reveals that his family owned a farm). Oh and Ditta's HQ is opposite the offices of Tuckersoft, the video game maker which pops up in the interactive episode Bandersnatch and later in series seven.
Hotel Reverie
When Issa Rae's movie actress Brandy is researching silent screen star Dorothy Chambers (Emma Corrine), she goes on YouTube – where a video about Dorothy has been uploaded by 'Pia and Davis', the podcasters from 2023's Loch Henry. A sidebar video references another season six episode, Demon 79 – 'Demon 79: The Real Scary Story of a Cult Classic'.
At one point we see Brandy's (Issa Rae) manager preparing for a meeting with Streamberry – Black Mirror's 'in-universe' version of Netflix, as featured in season six's Joan is Awful.
There is also a shot of the manager playing the video game Balatro – not quite an Easter egg, but a game Black Mirror showrunner Charlie Brooker has described as 'the most addictive thing ever created'.
When Kimmy (Awkafina) and Judith (Harriet Walter) discuss rebooting Hotel Reverie, the posters in the background reference The White Bear and Haven Green, which was the working title of this season's Black Mirror.
Brandy's address in Hollywood is Junipero Drive – another San Junipero nudge. Later, a computer programme Jack (Ted Lasso's Charlie Hiscock), wears a Space Fleet shirt – a call back to the Black Mirror universe's version of Star Trek.
There is also a reference to previous Dorothy Chambers classics – St Juniper (San Junipero again) and My Kingdom for a Pig, a wink towards the notorious first ever Black Mirror, The National Anthem, where Rory Kinnear plays a Prime Minister forced to do something rude with a farmyard animal on national television.
Plaything
The entire episode is a call back to 2018's interactive special, Bandersnatch – albeit with updated references to early 1990s PC and Amiga gaming, rather than the ZX Spectrum/Dragon 32 universe of the earlier episode.
At one point, Will Poulter's Colin Ritman is revealed to have gone crazy and started 'ranting about a Basilisk' – potentially a reference to the 'Roko's Basilisk' thought experiment, which some Black Mirror fans believe Brooker winked at in season four's Black Museum, where the protagonist is named Rolo (you could argue that 'Roko' is an amalgam of 'Brooker' and 'Rolo').
As for Roko's Basilisk – it is a wacky hypothesis which bubbled within internet discussion forums, which argues that a super intelligent computer in the far future might travel back in time to 'punish' people who knew that it could be built but who didn't actively contribute towards its creation. Sounds like a Black Mirror elevator pitch.
In Ritman's office there is a framed picture of Waldo – the evil cartoon bear from The Waldo Incident. And we learn that Tuckersoft is working on Striking Vipers II – a reference to the video game in Striking Vipers.
Eulogy
Paul Giamatti's character is able to 'enter' old photographs by applying an 'experiencer disk' – the same super-advanced VR tech that previously featured in San Junipero, USS Callister and Striking Vipers.
The AI he encounters, and which is based on his old girlfriend's daughter, resembles a 'cookie' – the digitally-replicated consciousness of a person who featured in White Christmas (though it is not referred to as such).
USS Callister: Into Infinity
When Nanette (Cristin Milioti) arrives at the virtual basement of incel mega-villain Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons), we see a video game box with the logo of SaitoGemu – the tech company that featured in series three's Playtest.
There is also a reference to Miley Cyrus' pop star Ashley O, from Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too, when we hear gamer Pixie (Iolanthe) listening to one of her songs.
Robert (Jesse Plemons) offers Nanette (Cristin Milioti) a box of chocolate milk made by Raiman - the food company also mentioned in Men Against Fire.
Demon 79's Anjana Vasan and Paapa Essiedu are among the gamers attempt to destroy the USS Callister.
Later, a news bulletin has the logo of USN – Black Mirror's version of CNN or Sky News. And when the 'real' Nanette is knocked down she is taken to St Juniper Hospital – yet another San Junipero reference (don't you think that's more than enough for the time being, Netflix?).
The news ticker at the end contains several callbacks to season seven. 'Hotel Reverie reboot hits Streamberry' – is a hat tip to Hotel Reverie and Joan is Awful. 'Thronglets 2 launches to critical acclaim' is about the video game from Plaything and 'Rivermind CTO stands down' has to do with the wicked medical corporation in Common People.
The National Anthem also surfaces again – 'Former UK PM Michael Callow enters Celebrity Vet School' is about the pig-fancying PM from series one. Finally, 'Mysterious talisman found in plane wreckage' is a call-back to Demon 79.
Black Mirror season 7 is on Netflix now
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Amanda Owen has fans sobbing after sharing emotional update with beloved dog
Our Yorkshire Farm's Amanda Owen left fans feeling emotional after she shared some adorable photos of her and her children out in the Yorkshire Dales, with her beloved dog Amanda Owen had supporters reaching for the tissues after posting a touching message on social media. The Yorkshire Shepherdess became a household name alongside her family, including former spouse Clive - from whom she separated in 2022 - and son Rueben, through the Channel 5 programme Our Yorkshire Farm which launched in 2018. The programme brought viewers into the world of the Owen household, documenting the family's life on their vast 2000-acre property, Ravenseat Farm. The programme follows Amanda and her brood as they face the demanding task of renovating their fresh dilapidated farmhouse, reports the Express. Yet on Saturday (August 2) Amanda had supporters feeling rather sentimental following a touching social media update. Using her Instagram platform, Amanda posted some sweet photographs of herself and her youngsters exploring the Yorkshire Dales, accompanied by her cherished dog herding sheep. She wrote alongside the images with news about her latest television programme: "Whilst on the subject of gathering up, clipping, and turning away sheep. It is now time to chase ewe too. To Our Farm Next Door on channel 4 at 6.10pm tonight Saturday)." However, it was a particular image of Amanda with her dog that sparked considerable discussion. Flocking to the comments area, admirers couldn't hold back their feelings as they highlighted how the dog gazes at Amanda with "so much love". One individual commented: "How the dog looks at you we can see there is so much love." Another concurred: "Your gorgeous collie looks at you with so much love." A third added their voice: "What a good dog." This follows Amanda's devastating news from her farm last week, where she found that two of the pens had been vandalised. Alongside the video, Amanda wrote: "Cross, cross, cross. This is not the normal kind of post I do. Not the kind of post that I want to do. "I know that it will not make any difference whatsoever, but still I hope that someone, somewhere might feel a little uncomfortable or even ashamed. "These places are invaluable, a part of our history and heritage, they do not formally belong to anyone but have been used by for centuries by shepherds, farmers and commoners. They are still in use to this day."
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Our Yorkshire Farm's Amanda Owen brands Clive 'unbearable' as she shares health update
Our Yorkshire Farm star Amanda Owen gave an update on her ex-husband Clive during a repeat of Our Farm Next Door, which airs tonight Amanda Owen updated fans on her former husband Clive's recovery during a repeat broadcast of Our Farm Next Door, which airs tonight. Amanda revealed to audiences that Clive had made his way back to the farm after his hip surgery because he had "lost his crutches". "It has been a few weeks since Clive had his hip operation," she explained. "He has dumped the crutches, he's lost his crutches, actually. "It puts him in a bit of a better humour when he can come outside and be a part of what is going on." The mother-of-nine continued, "It has been very frustrating for him; that is me being polite," reports the Manchester Evening News. Speaking directly to Clive afterwards, Amanda declared, "You have been unbearable," which made Clive chuckle. "I have not," he shot back before insisting, "I have not, I have kept myself to myself. I've minded my own business, I don't think I have shouted at anybody or anything." Offering him an illustration, Amanda responded: "One day, you were sat in your underpants staring at the floor in the kitchen." "It's a really frustrating and horrible thing," Clive remarked as Amanda told him, "You really are a frustrating and horrible thing." Clive appeared unfazed by the remark as he brushed it off with laughter. Throughout the repeat of last week's Our Farm Next Door episode, Clive acknowledged he had been a "horrible patient" after his procedure. "I have definitely been a horrible patient because I am impatient," the farmer admitted. "I couldn't have managed without these lads to do what needed doing. So yeah, they have done very well. "It means from now on they needn't hand the reins back to me, they can just carry on," he added before joking with his son: "I could find myself redundant, what do you think, Miley?" "That is what family farms are all about, everybody has to help." Our Farm Next Door is available to watch on All4.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Leader Live
Verity Pulford set to win award at Eisteddfod in Wrexham
Verity Pulford from Eryrys near Ruthin will receive the medal in a special ceremony on the first day of the Eisteddfod, which is being held this year in Wrexham. She submitted two pieces of work for the selectors to consider for the Eisteddfod's extensive art exhibition, Y Lle Celf. Describing her work, she said, 'I made the two pieces this year for Collect at Somerset House. Verity's winning artwork (Image: Eisteddfod)'The three bird skulls are made of layers of glass in different colours, with gold on the beaks. In 2023, I spent a month in Lybster in the north of Scotland on a residency at North Lands Glass, and that's where my interest in shoreline discoveries began. 'I collected many natural objects from the beaches there, including a guillemot skull. By making a mould and then using lost wax casting, I can recreate the shape and textures of the original. 'I started using casting in my work after receiving a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) scholarship and studying the different techniques. 'The second piece, Dark Treasures, combines elements of pâte de verre glass and cast glass pieces, brought together to create imaginary organisms displayed as a collection. 'The colours used are reminiscent of Wunderkammer collections, using black and gold glass. I've also incorporated elements from old-fashioned microscope slides, claws, and crab shells.' Verity added that her work is inspired by the structures and growth patterns in plants and other life forms, 'Non-flowering plants like lichens, algae, ferns, and mosses, and also the magical world of fungi. I play with ideas of magical realism – creating my own forms inspired by or combining different plants and organisms. 'Mutualism, my most recent project funded by the Arts Council of Wales, gave me the opportunity to research marine invertebrates, and many of these are now a source of inspiration. 'I'm also interested in and influenced by the cataloguing of nature – natural history artefacts, early cyanotypes, x-rays, microscopic images, and botanical drawings.' Verity has exhibited at Y Lle Celf twice before – in 2023 with In a World of Its Own, a group of glass mushrooms under a dome, and last year with a collection of work from the Mutualism project. She added, 'It's a great honour to be awarded the Gold Medal for Craft and Design. I've been supported throughout my career by so many wonderful people and organisations, and the Arts Council of Wales has helped me to develop and grow as a maker. 'I'm so grateful for all this support and to those who have encouraged me, supported me, and believed in me. In Wales, I'm part of an exceptional group of makers and artists, and it's an honour to live in this beautiful country surrounded by such a talented and loving community.' Verity said she enjoyed making things at school but never seriously thought it would become a career, 'In my early twenties, I travelled to Barbados and lived with an artist called Aziza. She encouraged me and my friend Sarah to draw and paint, and that was the beginning of the journey that led both of us to become artists. 'I went to art school and discovered glass, specialising in Architectural Glass for my degree. MOST READ: "Beautifully presented" family home on the market in Wrexham Yellow weather warning for Flintshire with Storm Floris set to hit the UK Plans submitted to build new Home Bargains store in Flintshire 'I draw and collect natural elements a lot, and I also draw and paint. These 2D explorations are never really designs – more ways to play with colours and shapes, combining structures and forms, using tone and pattern. 'From there, I work through ideas – mainly in glass – which means I have a lot of discarded pieces because it takes me a while to achieve what I want. 'It takes courage, vision, hard work, and relentless determination to work with glass. So many failures and so many disappointments!' Verity's work will be on display throughout the Eisteddfod in Y Lle Celf. The National Eisteddfod will be held on greenfield land in Is-y-coed near Wrecsam from 2-9 August. For more details, visit
