Fans of sci-fi banger Black Mirror have once again been dragged into an online discussion regarding the series' cryptic name.
The seventh instalment of the huge-name show landing on Netflix last week has seemingly seen the subject resurface on social media, despite the show having run for over 14 years.
That's right - the first two episodes first landed on Channel 4 in 2011. The rights were then bought by the streaming service four years later.
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For those unfamiliar with the concept of the series, Black Mirror is a near-dystopian anthology, created by British writer Charlie Brooker.
Each episode is its own standalone, yet all instalments are somewhat connected by using the themes of technology and media to comment on a particular contemporary social issue.
The series has received mass praise for showing viewers the ways in which seemingly positive technological advances might serve to be a downfall of the human race.
The entertainment hit also serves as a means implicitly emphasising how dangerous pop culture trends can be, and delve into concepts like morality and human consciousness. The episodes - which can be watched in any order - also touch on harmful social constructs, like social media pressure, virtue signalling, patriarchal and capitalist political systems.
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Whilst the concept of the series is clear, fans have had much to say about its name.
An online debate was begun this week, after one person claimed to have gotten to the bottom of the title's meaning.
"IT'S CALLED A BLACK MIRROR BECAUSE ITS A BLACK SCREEN?? OMG I AM SO F*****G DUMB," one suggested on X (formerly Twitter).
Another agreed: "This is more on point; I think the creator mentioned it being called black mirror because at the end of the episode the screens black and you're left with a reflection of yourself, so I think it apply to phones, TVs, laptops, devices in general."
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A third, however, suggested: "Its not called black mirror because your phone is a black mirror.
"its called a black mirror because, like a mirror, it shows yourself, it shows how humans f**k themselves over with technology, the mirror isn't literally 'Black' rather a dark vision of ourselves and technology."
Continuing the discussion on Reddit, another suggested: "I think also because it's a black (as in black humour, black mood, black not the literal colour) mirror held up to reflect ourselves and our relationship with technology and the potential and dangers of this."
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One fan confessed: "I always assumed it was a reference to the Mirror universe Trek episodes."
"The phone/computer screen answer is correct," another penned. "Also obsidian mirrors (black mirrors) were/are used for divination."
It turns out, however, that Brooker, 54, previously answered a question regarding the show's name, revealing that one of the theories already mentioned is absolutely correct.
Speaking to Channel 4 some years ago, the writer revealed that the show's name was aimed at referencing the screen of a technological item that has been turned off.
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"Because any TV, any LCD, any iPhone, any iPad - something like that - if you just stare at it, it looks like a black mirror, and there's something cold and horrifying about that," he told the broadcaster.
"And it was such a fitting title for the show. I mean I don't know what else we would've called it... Spooky Technology Time?"
Brooker continued: "It would've been rubbish. I like the fact that people are watching it on their TV or on their laptop, or their smartphone or whatever and then as the end credits start running and the screen cuts to black, they see themselves reflected."
Anyone else got chills?
Topics: Black Mirror, TV And Film, Netflix, Channel 4
Rhianna Benson