Black Mirror Season 7 twist: Two versions of the same episode have fans spiraling

Black Mirror has just released its seventh season, and episode 2, titled Bête Noire, is generating buzz on social media. The reason is that the makers surreptitiously released two different variations of the very same episode—without informing the audience.

Yes, you read that right. If you have already seen the episode, you likely understand just how insanely clever the whole thing is. And if you haven't... well, we have no choice but to discuss it.

In Bête Noire, the story revolves around Maria (Siena Kelly), a worker in a food firm. Things begin to go awry when a former classmate, capable of altering reality, joins the company.

The big reveal happens in a conversation at the job about an old fast food joint. Some recall calling it "Barnies," others "Bernies."

Maria is certain that she remembers the correct name. But when she attempts to look it up on the internet, she realizes that reality itself might have changed.

The actual surprise that caught viewers off guard is that there is no correct answer to the name of the fast food. That is because Netflix really provided different people with different versions of the same episode.

For some, the name is "Bernies," while for others, it's "Barnies."

Which episode you see appears completely random, and Netflix has said nothing about it.

This is Black Mirror's gaslighting within gaslighting thing that extends to the real world. Among other aspects, the episode basically employs the Mandela effect.

In addition to the characters in the episode, viewers who unintentionally watch the episode and may discuss it afterward might encounter this same situation.

Of course, social media went wild. People began posting memes and jokes, stating Black Mirror has gaslighted them again.

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Social media reacts to Black Mirror gaslighting in Bête Noire

The fact that Black Mirror was able to pull this off and that viewers were gaslighted in an episode on gaslighting seemed unfathomable to several individuals. Jokingly, netizens said that they believed they were having hallucinations until they checked social media.

A user commented:

"Gaslighted in an episode about gaslighting 💀"

A user @DuhAudreyIsMine mentioned:

"Just watched this episode and I thought I was trippin until I rewinded it and then I came to Twitter to triple check 😂😂😂😂😂"

One user, @Soulbound_TV, cheekily wrote:

"Black Mirror really said, “Pick your poison, sweetheart.” 💀"

Some people joked that they felt taken advantage of, while others pointed out that this would simply be another argument like the gold dress and blue dress.

A user @PixelQuilter mentioned:

"Ha! So even the viewers end up arguing about Bernies vs Barnies! That’s about the most Black Mirror-ish thing I’ve ever heard."

A user @Tanbvby jokingly said:

"I was gaslit and manipulated this whole episode I feel so used."

Another user @actualakio highlighted:

"This about to be the new blue and black vs white and gold dress."

Meanwhile, several individuals jokingly confirmed if they were still watching the show or if this was real life. Because we might as well be in the Black Mirror episode right now. Or are we?

A user said:

"???Mine was changed to barnies and when I went back it was originally Bernies. Black mirror is so back."

A user @MkhontaMuhle humorously said:

"Are we still watching a show or is this reality? 🙌🏾😂"

A user @jakebutler81 went on to say:

"Wait I just watched this I was already tripped now I’m even more tripped."

This isn't the first time Black Mirror has experimented with storytelling. Previously, the interactive movie Bandersnatch allowed viewers to choose their own journey.

But Bête Noire is the first time the show provided people with alternative versions of a normal episode without anyone knowing.