“White Bear,” the season 2 episode of Netflix’sBlack Mirroris eerie, unexpected, and a fan favorite. There have been some episodes that have stood out over the years, from “White Christmas” to season 6’s shocking “Joan Is Awful.” Fans have learned to go into each new episode with zero expectations… except knowing that the ending will be surprising and there will likely be a huge and memorable plot twist.
“White Bear is a fairly typicalBlack Mirrorepisode. In other words, it’s disturbing, it doesn’t pull any punches, and it has a fast pace and creepy tone. What happens during “White Bear” and how does thisBlack Mirrorepisode analyze the technology that people have become so obsessed with?
RELATED:Black Mirror: ‘White Christmas’ Ending, Explained
What Is Black Mirror’s White Bear Episode About?
Written by Charlie Brooker, who also createdBlack Mirror, “White Bear” is about Victoria (Lenora Crichlow), who finds herself in a strange and confusing situation. When she ends up losing her memory, she realizes that a TV signal is in charge of everyone, which is terrifying. This TV signal is called “White Bear.” Victoria decides that she wants to halt it from taking over everyone’s lives. This is a smart plot point and puts Victoria in the driver’s seat of the story. But asBlack Mirrorfans know, Victoria changes from innocent final girl to villain, which is what makes this episode stand out so much.
“White Bear” is one of themost chillingBlack Mirrorepisodesbecause of the character development. No one is who they appear to be at first, and that includes the three main characters. Victoria is presented as a terrified character who suddenly and magically finds herself in a perplexing situation. No one could ever guess that she is someone who has actually committed a crime. “White Bear” proves how powerfulBlack Mirroris and how the show’s greatest twists and reveals are always unexpected and unforgettable.
While there are somelackluster Netflix horror shows,Black Mirroris beloved for its harsh take on technology. Each episode asks important questions about whether people rely too much on screens. “White Bear” asks what would happen if people were truly at the mercy of a technological force. In this case, it’s a mysterious TV signal that no one can really understand. Through this storyline,Black Mirroranalyzes how people can sometimes accept a new technology without questioning it. In this case, the results can be dangerous.
One of the most important characters in thisBlack Mirrorepisode is Jem (Tuppence Middleton), who explains to Victoria what is going on. Jem says that there are “hunters” who the TV signal can’t touch, but these people are violent and dangerous. Another key character is Baxter (Michael Smiley), who is also someone who is immune from the White Bear signal. Of course, nothing is ever simple in the world of this terrifying Netflix series, and Jem and Baxter are revealed to be very different people.
How Does White Bear End?
The “White Bear” ending features the typicalBlack Mirrorplot twist that fans have come to expect. It turns out that Victoria’s experience was planned and fake. She realizes that she was forced to take part in a performance and that Baxter is the person hosting it. Just like theend of theBlack Mirrorepisode “Joan Is Awful,““White Bear” makes a lasting and memorable impression.
Victoria is named Victoria Skillaine and she and Iain Rannoch, her fiance, kidnapped and killed a girl named Jemina Skyes. They also took a video of the murder. Iain took his life when the police caught them and Victoria has been staying at White Bear Justice Park. Baxter ensures that Victoria will never be able to move on from what she has done. Every day, she has to watch the video of Jemina’s murder, and then Baxter makes sure that she has no memory of it so the same thing can happen the next day. This scene alone proves whyBlack Mirroris ascary TV show perfect for Halloweenand any time of year.
Charlie Booker toldVarietyin 2016 thatthe memorable plot twistwas added later on. He said, “It was a straightforward apocalypse story. It was a woman wakes up and there’s a signal going across the world affecting people. The original ending had a public crucifixion.”
“White Bear” is an innovativeBlack Mirrorepisodeand the title is significant. Victoria had a white teddy bear when she was younger. This is a smart metaphor for the innocence that she once experienced and the fact that she grew up and become a cold-blooded killer.Black Mirrornever shies away from being horrifying and disturbing, and “White Bear” is one of the show’s most intelligent episodes. Even more than other episodes, “White Bear” turns the story completely on its head and proves that its characters are never predictable.
