Netflix’s Black Mirror returns with another mind-bending episode in Season 7, Episode 2, titled “Bête Noire.” This episode dives deep into themes of revenge, altered reality, and psychological manipulation, leaving viewers stunned by its shocking twist ending.
What Does ‘Bête Noire’ Really Mean?
The title “Bête Noire” is a French phrase meaning “a person or thing strongly disliked or avoided.” In the episode, it refers to the toxic relationship between two former classmates — Maria (Siena Kelly), a food industry executive, and Verity (Rosy McEwen), a socially awkward genius with a dark secret. But who is the real villain? That question drives the entire story.
Episode Premise: When the Past Returns
Maria leads a successful life working at Ditta, a food company previously hinted at in Episode 1. Her life begins to unravel when Verity joins her team as a research assistant. As former schoolmates, their history is tainted — Maria recalls Verity as the isolated “school freak,” while Verity remembers being the target of cruel rumors, especially one involving an inappropriate relationship with a teacher.
Reality Starts to Shift
Once Verity enters Maria’s workplace, things start to go wrong. Emails change, memories seem altered, and coworkers turn against Maria. One notable example is a mysterious change in a brand name that only Maria remembers differently. As paranoia grows, Maria believes Verity is manipulating the world around her.
The Technology Behind the Madness
Maria discovers that Verity owns a mysterious pendant — a quantum remote control that can shift timelines and alter reality. The device allows Verity to jump to parallel worlds where her wishes are instantly real. Using this, she gaslights Maria, framing her for mistakes and even erasing the concept of nut allergies to get her fired.
Revenge Revealed: Verity’s Motive
Verity confesses that she targeted Maria as revenge for a high school rumor that ruined her life. Although Maria tries to deny involvement, she eventually admits to starting the rumor, which drove Verity into isolation and trauma. Now, with the power of her quantum device, Verity wants Maria to suffer — even suggesting she should end her life, just like their classmate Natalie did after enduring similar torment.
A Shocking Twist: Maria Fights Back
As Maria spirals further, she breaks into Verity’s home and attempts to take the pendant. But Verity, using the device’s fingerprint lock, summons armed police and frames Maria for attempted murder. Just when it seems like the end, Maria grabs a gun and kills Verity, seizing the pendant and forcing Verity’s dead finger to activate it.
Maria Becomes the New Ruler of Reality
Now in control, Maria rewrites reality. She convinces the police that Verity shot herself and commands them to worship her, declaring herself the “Empress of the Universe.” In the final scene, she’s standing before a roaring crowd chanting “Hail Maria,” fully embracing the god-like control once held by Verity.
What Does the Ending Mean?
The episode closes with a haunting question: Will Maria become corrupted by power like Verity did? With her trauma turned into absolute control, the line between victim and villain is blurred. The ending leaves viewers questioning the limits of power and morality in a world where reality is just a button away.
