Issa Rae’s ‘Hotel Reverie’ Take Changes ‘Black Mirror’ Happiest Ending Debate

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Warning: Spoilers for Black Mirror Season 7, Episode 3 “Hotel Reverie” are in play.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve come to accept that there’ll always be differing opinions in our world, whether it’s the TV lineup of 2025 being considered as a battleground or not. However, when it comes to a series as divisive as Netflix’s ‘Black Mirror’, these contrasting views often clash even more fiercely, especially when discussing an episode like “Hotel Reverie’s” poignant finale in Season 7.

Following actress Issa Rae expressing her thoughts on the significance of that finale for her, I wholeheartedly concur with her viewpoint. In truth, her perspective offers me a compelling reason to dispute another beloved “Black Mirror” ending often hailed as the most optimistic one.

I Totally Agree With Issa Rae’s Read On ‘Hotel Reverie’s’ Bittersweet Twist

If you haven’t caught up on Season 7 of Black Mirror, particularly the deep fake and Casablanca spin-off, this might be your last opportunity. Luckily, I and other journalists who attended a recent roundtable event commemorating this Netflix viewership enhancer have watched it. We leveraged that insight to delve deeply into the climactic scenes of “Hotel Reverie.” Regarding her thoughts on the series finale, Issa Rae was quite open when discussing TopMob and other aspects: a tear-jerking ending indeed.

From my perspective, the outcome isn’t joyful. It’s tinged with sorrow and bittersweetness. While they do establish a connection, for someone like me, a significant part of falling in love involves creating shared memories and reminiscing about those moments together. Even if Brandy reconnects with this person, it remains isolating because explaining the situation to friends might sound absurd. Phrases like ‘You won’t believe what happened’ and ‘That’s my girl’ carry a certain level of absurdity, which is sad in its own way.

Actress Brandy Friday (played by Rae) develops feelings for a computer-generated character based on Dorothy Chambers (portrayed by Emma Corrin). Instead of the original ending where Chambers’ in-story character survives, this movie adaptation has a tragic finale, mirroring the style of the Netflix series “Black Mirror” while reimagining a classic Hollywood film.

After Brandy Friday steps back into reality, her feelings remain entwined with the character Emma Corrin portrayed so tragically within the digital realm. Yet, considering this world birthed a tool as intriguing yet ominous as “The Nubbin” – that device resembling a white button, connecting key elements of Charlie Brooker’s dystopian narratives – there comes one last surprise.

A digital replica of Dorothy is emailed directly to Brandy, enabling them to converse anytime she desires. Initially, this seems delightful, but upon closer inspection, it begins to reveal a more ominous side – much like the climax in another renowned episode of Black Mirror.

“Hotel Reverie” Further Proves That “San Junipero” Isn’t Black Mirror’s “Happiest” Ending

Often regarded as one of the finest “Black Mirror” episodes, particularly Season 3’s “San Junipero,” is a tale that frequently resurfaces when discussing the rare “happy” conclusions in this series. While Gugu-Mbatha Raw and Mackenzie Davis’ characters do indeed end up together at the close of the story, it’s the unique way their union transpires that gives Charlie Brooker’s dystopian elements a new hue, as far as my perspective is concerned.

Based on Issa Rae’s interpretation of the ending for “Hotel Reverie,” I feel she has accurately captured my sentiments regarding this topic. Referencing her earlier thoughts, Rae offers a proviso that presents a more optimistic perspective:

“This aligns with how I feel about the matter, as Issa Rae suggests in her interpretation.” or “I agree with Issa Rae’s interpretation of the ending, which mirrors my feelings on this topic. She adds a note of hopefulness by suggesting…

I believe there’s a certain authenticity to it that makes me understand her love was genuine, and her encounter was real. It’s also clear she has a blueprint for forming connections that she can seek in reality… Leaving me ambivalent. Upon rewatching, my view might change, but in experiencing it, it struck me as both joyful and melancholic – bittersweet.

Imagining Brandy Friday applying her emotions in real life gives this Black Mirror tale an unexpectedly optimistic twist. Remarkably, the episode that I believe has the most uplifting conclusion, “Hang the DJ” from Season 4, shares a thematic resemblance with this resolution. While the ending to “San Junipero” remains bittersweet, it carries a unique flavor of poignancy.

The last moments when “Elder Kelly” (Denise Burse) transformed, leaving her human form behind and existing eternally as a youthful entity within the TCKR System’s servers, remain incredibly haunting. Watching this happen while listening to Brandie Carlyle’s “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” only intensifies the emotional impact.

Although Kelly did spend time with Yorkie in reality, it was to hasten her decision to be euthanized – a matter that had already sparked debate among her family. This ending, undoubtedly, held a mix of emotions, but it underscored the truth that their romance was primarily confined to the virtual world.

In every case, I acknowledge that the court of general opinion might decide I’m mistaken in this specific instance; and that’s what makes watching Black Mirror enjoyable. What one person sees as a slightly sad ending, another viewer might see as a grim reminder that technology has ultimately triumphed.

It’s likely that a few individuals might find the ending of “Common People” to have an upbeat tone, but that group is probably quite limited. Regardless of your perspective, you can stream all of Season 7, as well as earlier seasons, via Netflix’s streaming service. For now, additional accessories like ‘Nubbin’ are sold separately.

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2025-04-17 08:07