‘Black Mirror’ Season 7 Episode 2: ‘Bête Noire’ – Recap and Ending Explained

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In the seventh season of ‘Black Mirror’, the unexpected twists continue unabated, and episode 2, titled ‘Bête Noire’, follows suit. Creator Charlie Brooker’s anthology series delves into a reality that subtly warps your perception. This time, we journey with Maria, a woman whose tranquil existence is disrupted by an ex-classmate holding a grudge. The narrative gradually escalates into a thrilling rollercoaster ride, combining psychological suspense with the signature ‘Black Mirror’ blend of technology and intrigue.

Siena Kelly assumes the role of Maria, while Rosy McEwen gives Verity, the troublemaking classmate, an eerie touch. The show boasts a talented ensemble, with Ben Bailey Smith portraying their manager Gabe. The episode is filled with delightful Easter eggs referencing previous seasons that we always enjoy finding. Unlike many other episodes, this one focuses less on gadgetry and more on the manipulation of such tools, which makes it particularly captivating in the series. Now, let’s delve into the details.

Recap of ‘Bête Noire’

At Ditta, the food company where Maria excels as a flavor specialist, she’s been perfecting treats such as the Huckle Buck candy bars. With a steady boyfriend Kae, a knack for her job, and a carefully managed nut allergy, life seems smooth sailing for her. However, things start to feel amiss when Verity, who arrives late to a focus group, enters the scene. Verity quickly secures a position at Ditta, seemingly too swiftly, causing Maria’s instincts to sound an alarm. Her coworkers initially adore Verity’s new miso candy, but soon turn against it after Verity offers her opinions, leaving Maria puzzled and perplexed.

The strangeness intensifies. An email penned by Maria unexpectedly changes from carrageenan to beef gelatin, serving something to their Hindu supervisor that he’d never consume. Verity refutes any tampering, and Maria is reprimanded for shouting when she barely raised her tone. She eventually loses her position after Verity accuses her of an almond milk prank—despite Maria’s allergy—and the fabric of reality begins to fray. Desperate, she follows Verity to a mansion, discovering images of her as an astronaut and a pendant that appears to be the solution.

Ending Explained

Maria illegally enters Verity’s residence and gets apprehended. It turns out that the necklace Verity wears is actually a quantum device enabling her to jump between multiple realities where her deceit transforms into truth. This act of revenge stems from high school, where Maria gave Verity the nickname ‘Milkmaid’ and caused significant distress in her life. Verity has been manipulating Maria subtly, altering reality to confuse her. Verity demonstrates this control by changing Maria’s attire and spoken language using the pendant, which is programmed to her fingerprint.

In a heated confrontation, Maria takes charge by seizing the pendant in a struggle, fatally shooting Verity and assuming control. Proclaiming herself as the empress of the universe, she’s instantly revered by the crowd. Siena Kelly and Rosy McEwen deliver exceptional performances, with Kelly portraying her character’s raw terror and McEwen embodying a chilling smirk that accentuates the turmoil. This turn of events isn’t unexpected, as it follows Verity’s scheme, ultimately shifting the balance of power. Maria may have found freedom or merely stepped into a new realm of trouble.

Tech as a Weapon in ‘Bête Noire’

This episode isn’t focused on the technology itself; rather, it delves into what people choose to do with it. Verity’s compiler has the potential to save the world, but instead, she utilizes it for a trivial act of revenge. It serves as a grim reminder of how easily we can pervert tools intended for good into something harmful. Maria’s victory is satisfying, yet the final shot of her ascending the throne suggests that she too might not be immune to this same danger.

Instead of flashy scenes featuring large spaceships or AI domination, this episode has a unique atmosphere. It’s intimate, focused, and manages to create a sense of fear that feels authentic. Kelly bears the burden of Maria’s decline, while McEwen crafts Verity into an intriguing, hard-to-ignore antagonist. The title ‘Bête Noire’ – meaning ‘black beast’ in French – perfectly captures the unsettling feeling of losing control, and it’s one that will stick with us for a while.

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2025-04-10 14:14