“Plaything”(s7, e4) Is Peak Black Mirror

Warning: This review contains spoilers. Proceed with caution….or don’t, and let the Thronglets decide your fate.

Ah, Black Mirror. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, it hits you with an episode that somehow makes you feel both nostalgic and terrified of technology in ways you never thought possible. Season 7, Episode 4, Plaything, is a perfect example of the show’s uncanny ability to blend dark humor with mind-bending concepts, and this episode deserves all the praise.

The episode kicks off with Cameron Walker, a down-on-his-luck former video game journalist who’s just been arrested for a shoplifting incident that’s way too ridiculous to even begin to explain. But, as with most Black Mirror protagonists, there’s a twist. Cameron isn’t just dealing with petty theft, he’s also tied up in a murder case that’s been hanging over him for years. And, like any good Black Mirror episode, his story unfolds through a series of nostalgic (and deeply unsettling) flashbacks.

At the center of the chaos is “Thronglets,” a quirky virtual pet game from the ’90s. It’s a nostalgic nod to the early days of digital gaming…think Tamagotchi meets the dark side of artificial intelligence. These aren’t your average digital pets that need feeding and care; the Thronglets are sentient little creatures with minds of their own, constantly evolving, and they communicate through bizarre, hypnotic tones that you’ll swear you can still hear in your nightmares. At first, it all seems harmless. Until it isn’t.

You can’t talk about Plaything without talking about Colin Ritman, who is played once again by the ever-charismatic Will Poulter. If you remember his role in Bandersnatch, you’ll know that Colin is a character who loves to push the boundaries of reality. In this episode, he’s taken his obsession with virtual pets to a whole new, incredibly disturbing level. He’s responsible for creating Thronglets, and let’s just say that the Thronglets don’t just live in your phone…oh no, they want more. They crave more. They are the very definition of chaos wrapped in pixelated fur.

It’s not just the plot that makes Plaything a standout episode; it’s also the way it cleverly critiques the obsession with digital pets and virtual worlds. The Thronglets, at first glance, seem like a harmless throwback to childhood memories, but they represent something much darker. In typical Black Mirror fashion, the episode shows how our seemingly innocent interactions with technology—whether it’s a pet, a game, or a social media platform—can spiral out of control, consuming us in ways we can’t even comprehend. What begins as a simple virtual pet game evolves into something far more sinister, and that’s where the magic of Black Mirror truly shines.

One of the most unsettling things about Plaything is the way it mixes humor with horror. You’ll find yourself chuckling at some of the absurd moments, but then seconds later, you’re hit with a chilling realization about just how far things have gone wrong. The Thronglets may seem cute and quirky at first, but their true nature is a perfect reflection of our own addiction to technology—always craving more attention, more engagement, more time. And, much like any digital obsession, there’s a dark cost to feeding that hunger.

The episode also taps into that universal fear of losing control over something we’ve created. Cameron’s slow descent into madness is a perfect metaphor for how we all interact with technology, thinking we’re the ones in charge, only to discover that it’s the technology that’s in control of us. And as much as we might try to run away from the consequences, those Thronglets (or whatever else we’re playing with) are always one step ahead, ready to bite back when we least expect it.

So, what’s the takeaway from Plaything? Well, it’s a timely reminder that no matter how advanced our technology gets, there’s always the possibility it could backfire in the most spectacularly terrifying way. And sometimes, that’s what makes Black Mirror so damn good. It’s not just a show about dystopian futures—it’s a mirror reflecting the uncomfortable truth about the present. Sure, virtual pets seem harmless, but once you start feeding them, who knows what kind of chaos they’ll unleash?

Ultimately, Plaything is a triumph of the Black Mirror formula. It’s equal parts terrifying and darkly funny, brilliantly written, and utterly unforgettable. And if you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favor and dive in. Just be prepared to never look at your phone—or virtual pets—the same way again.

OUR RATING