Episode 3 of Season 7 of "Black Mirror" kicks off with an intriguing trailer from the 1940s, showcasing "Hotel Reverie," a cinematic gem starring Dorothy Chambers. The once-thriving studio, Keyworth, now finds itself on the brink of oblivion, but a ray of hope emerges in the form of Redream, who proposes a groundbreaking idea: to reimagine the film by infusing it with a modern-day star within the realm of virtual reality.
Elsewhere, Brandy, a highly acclaimed Black actress, is weary of being typecast in stereotypes and yearns for a timeless role akin to that in "Casablanca." Her prayers are answered when she lays claim to the "Hotel Reverie" reboot and Resolutely advocate to expose the male lead, Alex, a role traditionally confined to men. While Judith Keyworth finds this casting decision perplexing, Kimmy from Redream sees it as a golden opportunity to breathe new life into the classic film.
On the inaugural day of production, Brandy steps into a basement where the crew is meticulously crafting the virtual world of "Hotel Reverie." Kimmy, brimming with confidence, ushers Brandy into the movie's immersive reality.
However, the journey is anything but smooth. Brandy stumbles over a piano solo and inadvertently addresses the AI female protagonist Clara by Dorothy's name. Given that Dorothy drew inspiration from her own life for Clara's characterization, this slip triggers a eerie sense of deja vu within Clara, the AI. Further Deviation from the script, instead of a guest's demise igniting the murder mystery, it's the guest's dog that meets an untimely end. The team considers calling it quits, but they find themselves powerless to retrieve Brandy from the VR world. Her deviation from the script strands her there until the reboot rights itself and the credits roll.
As another murder attempt unfolds, a crew member accidentally spills a drink, causing a short-circuit that pulls the plug on the virtual reality. The VR world goes dark, freezing all characters in place except Clara, who begins to stir with a nascent consciousness.
While Redream frantically strives to restore the connection, time accelerates exponentially within the Hotel Reverie realm. Brandy, overwhelmed with panic, lashes out at Clara, who is bewildered by the sudden turn of events. Her anger quickly subsides into an apology, as she explains the intricate workings of the virtual reality to Clara.
After much contemplation, Clara resolves to seek an escape route and ventures into the nebulous fringe that separates the fantastical realm from the mundane world of reality. Dorothy's haunting memories resurface, painting a picture of unrequited love for her assistant and a forced liaison with a co-star that ultimately led to her tragic self-termination.
Grappling with her circumstances, Clara retraces her steps back to Hotel Reverie. She sits at the piano, her fingers dancing across the keys, and mends her fractured bond with Brandy. As months glide by, their camaraderie blossoms into a romantic entanglement, encapsulating them in a honeymoon haze.
However, the enchantment is shattered when Redream resumes its operation, necessitating the erasure of Clara's cherished memories to keep the film on course. Brandy, desperate to halt this grim progression, finds herself powerless to prevent it. Torn between her loyalty to the narrative and her desire for eternal companionship with Clara, she reluctantly concedes and the movie veers onto a new, corrective trajectory.
Clara's screen spouse, Claude, attempts to terminate her, but having attained sentience, she seizes his weapon and turns the tables, eliminating him. Brandy, intent on assuming the blame, is thwarted by Clara, who shoots the encroaching officers in a fierce gun battle. Alas, Clara succumbs to a fatal wound in the crossfire.
Kimmy, with a pleading heart, urges Brandy to utter the final line, and for a fleeting moment, the outcome hangs in the balance. Brandy eventually recites the closing words, and the credits scroll up, signaling the end. She emerges back into the real world, her heart shattered into a million pieces.
The Season 7 Episode 3 of Black Mirror concludes with a teaser for the Hotel Reverie reboot. As a poignant farewell gesture, Kimmy presents Brandy with an AI replication of Dorothy during her audition for Clara. Brandy's eyes cloud over with nostalgia as she dials the faux telephone prop, and Dorothy's voice, brimming with delight, echoes through the ether, greeted by a real, if simulated, connection at last.
