Did the intern die at the end of “Smithereens?”
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In the chilling world of Black Mirror, each episode leaves viewers questioning their understanding of technology's omnipresent impact on human lives. Few episodes do this as provocatively as "Smithereens", a poignant commentary on social media addiction and corporate control. The episode's nail-biting cliffhanger, featuring Chris, a grieving rideshare driver, and Jaden, a social media intern, leaves the audience in suspense, a world teetering on the precipice of profound tragedy or hopeful resolution.
This article ventures into the realm of speculative narratives, unraveling four possible alternate endings to "Smithereens". Each scenario extends the plot in its unique way, aligning with the episode's central themes while providing a spectrum of outcomes. From redemptive transformations to tragic perpetuations, unlikely heroes to unexpected revelations, these reimagined conclusions offer fresh insights into the complex dynamics between technology, society, and individual lives in our increasingly digitized world. Dive in, as we reimagine, reinterpret, and reevaluate the gripping narrative of "Smithereens".
Scenario 1: Redemptive Outcome
The sharp crack of the sniper's bullet resonates across the field. It finds its target: Chris' shoulder. The shock causes him to loosen his grip on the gun, which clatters to the floor of the car. Jaden seizes this crucial moment to kick the weapon out of Chris's reach. Within moments, the police descend on the vehicle, pulling Jaden to safety and apprehending Chris.
Simultaneously, thousands of miles away, Billy Bauer is left reeling from the intense phone call with Chris. The impact of his company's product, the human cost that he'd been able to ignore until now, haunts him. He fulfills his promise to Chris, directing his team to give Hayley access to her daughter's Persona account. What she discovers in the account helps her understand the reasons behind her daughter's suicide, offering a sense of closure that she had been craving for.
Bauer also makes another decision, one he had been contemplating but didn’t have the courage to make: he steps down as CEO. To ensure his departure is more than a symbolic gesture, he uses his influence and shares his newfound perspective to drive a massive overhaul of Smithereen's user experience, aiming to curb the addictive elements of the platform. This move rocks the tech world and invites both praise and criticism.
Meanwhile, Chris, after being treated for his injuries, faces a court trial. His grief, guilt, and the reasons behind his actions stir public sympathy. After serving his sentence, he emerges as a changed man. He becomes an advocate for responsible social media use, sharing his story far and wide. His testimony, combined with Bauer's changes at Smithereen, brings the issue of social media addiction into the limelight.
This scenario fits well with the themes of the episode: the potential dangers and power of social media companies, their products' negative attributes, including addictivity, and the need for a conscious evaluation of their impacts on users' mental health. It provides a somewhat optimistic but hard-earned resolution, while suggesting that the fight against social media's addictive elements is a long, ongoing process.
Scenario 2: Tragic Continuation
In this version, the tense standoff ends in tragedy. The sniper's bullet misses its intended target, hitting Jaden in the chest. Chris is left horrified as Jaden's life ebbs away in front of him. Overwhelmed by guilt and the crushing weight of what he's done, Chris turns the gun on himself. The police break into the car moments later, but it's too late for both men.
The news of the tragic end of the standoff reaches Billy Bauer. His conversation with Chris still rings in his ears, the raw emotion and desperate plea haunt him. As a tribute to the fallen men and to honour his promise to Chris, he arranges for Hayley to get access to her daughter's Persona account. Hayley finds bittersweet closure, her grief tinged with the dark irony that her daughter's fate was intertwined with the tragic events of the standoff.
Although Bauer decides to step down as CEO, he finds his initial intent to reform Smithereen met with resistance from the board and the shareholders who resist drastic changes in a profitable model. He leaves the company, but not before publicly voicing his concerns about the addictive nature of the platform, igniting a public debate.
However, the irony is not lost on the world. The story of Chris, Jaden, and the fatal hostage situation becomes another viral sensation on the very platform that caused it. People share, comment, mourn, and within a few days, move on to the next trending topic. The cycle of social media addiction continues, their tragic story serving as a stark reminder of the very issue at hand: the dehumanizing effect of social media and the fleeting nature of online empathy.
In keeping with the themes of "Smithereens," this scenario illustrates the pervasive power of social media, its inherent addictivity, and the potential devastation it can cause. It presents a grim picture of the world where social media dictates the rhythm of life, people's tragedies are consumed as fleeting spectacles, and change is an uphill battle against entrenched interests.
Scenario 3: The Unlikely Hero
The bullet, fired by the nervous sniper, strikes Jaden in the arm. Despite the searing pain, he gathers his courage and manages to wrestle the gun from Chris. The police, seeing their opportunity, break into the car and quickly apprehend Chris while Jaden is rushed to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Billy Bauer, profoundly affected by his call with Chris, realizes the social media empire he has built is flawed. It's causing more harm than good. He decides to honour his promise to Chris, giving Hayley access to her deceased daughter's Persona account. This provides Hayley a sense of closure, a way to finally understand her daughter's hidden torment.
As Jaden recovers, his heroics during the hostage situation gain public attention. Media outlets tell his story, and he finds himself suddenly thrust into the limelight. Jaden decides to use this unexpected platform to advocate against the very social media culture his company perpetuates. He shares his firsthand experiences of the addiction and the detrimental effects it can have on mental health, putting a human face to the issue.
The pressure from the media and the public following Jaden's story forces Smithereen and similar companies to confront the addictive nature of their platforms. Changes are slow and resisted, but the conversation has started, and the public isn't willing to let it go.
This scenario encapsulates the themes of "Smithereens" by portraying the power dynamics within social media companies and highlighting their products' negative effects. It shows the potential for change from within the system and the power individuals can have when they decide to speak out.
Scenario 4: The Unexpected Twist
The bullet from the sniper's gun doesn't strike flesh but rather the weapon in Chris's hand. The gun goes flying, landing out of reach. Seizing this chance, Jaden escapes the vehicle, while Chris, disoriented and unarmed, is quickly arrested by the police.
In the aftermath, Billy Bauer, deeply moved by his conversation with Chris, grants Hayley access to her daughter's Persona account. The twist comes when Hayley discovers that her daughter was not just dealing with typical teenage problems but was also deeply affected by her addiction to Smithereen. It provides Hayley the closure she was looking for but also makes her realize that her daughter's suicide was not an isolated event, but part of a larger, systemic issue.
The revelation is a turning point. It adds fuel to the debate around social media's impact on mental health, forcing the public to demand changes within these tech giants. But the change isn't straightforward or quick. There are corporate interests, financial considerations, and a global user base resistant to change.
In this scenario, "Smithereens'" core themes come to the fore: the pervasive power of social media, its negative impact on mental health, and the immense struggle to control or alter a deeply ingrained system. It showcases the cyclical nature of social media addiction and the systemic hurdles in the path of meaningful reform, leading to a deeply reflective ending.
