Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for the Black Mirror episode “USS Callister: Into Infinity.” In a compelling analysis, Cristin Milioti unpacks Nanette’s momentous choice in Black Mirror season 7’s USS Callister: Into Infinity. This episode builds on the original USS Callister, which debuted in 2017 as part of season 4, receiving widespread acclaim for its haunting portrayal of digital oppression within a Star Trek-esque framework. Picking up after their act of defiance, USS Callister: Into Infinity follows Nanette and her fellow survivors as they navigate their existential paths after escaping the clutches of Daly (Jesse Plemons) in his twisted version of the game, Infinity.

During a recent roundtable interview with ScreenRant, Milioti shed light on the pivotal garage scene, where Nanette confronts Bob, a digital avatar of her tormentor, Daly, in her quest to rescue her crew. Faced with the choice of either transferring them to a new server or uploading her consciousness into the real Nanette’s body, she ultimately opts for the latter. Milioti describes Daly as a “loose cannon” and “a ticking time bomb“, especially given the immense power held by his digital clone within the game world:

First of all, I love that you compare it to a bomb because that’s something that we played with. I think what was so exciting about getting to work on that scene and explore it for the few days that we spent filming it was the intricacies of her emotional state and the tension of the moment.

She’s facing the person who has utterly destroyed her life, yet she grasps that she is dealing with a volatile individual; a ticking time bomb. She must find a way to soothe him while suppressing her own anger. Her objective is to maneuver in and out of this high-stakes situation, compelling him to comply with her wishes, all while remaining uncertain about the extent of his powers. Exploring this dynamic was incredibly engaging, filled with high tension and subtext.

There are numerous parallels to their relationship from the original episode, but significant differences emerge as well. Nanette has undergone profound changes, and I relished the chance to explore that transformation. The garage set itself was as claustrophobic to shoot in as it appears, resembling a true garage where we were confined for four intense days, working through the intricacies of that gripping scene. Reading such material as an actor fills you with excitement.

As Milioti reflects on Nanette’s crucial decision, she delves deeper into the moral complexities the character grapples with in Into Infinity, pondering whether Nanette’s choice was genuinely the right one. The show adeptly explores ethical quandaries, and while Milioti admits to loving that moment, she questions whether Nanette should have allowed her crew to cease existing for her own peace, instead of sentencing them “to this other weird, s—tty reality” of coexisting with her consciousness. Read more of Milioti’s insights below:

I genuinely loved that moment. I believe Nanette possesses a strong moral compass, yet it’s evident how manipulative the circumstances are. If you were to envision yourself in a coma and realize you were bound to be trapped in this digital prison forever, you might indeed take the opportunity. I appreciate that she wrestles with this choice and ultimately acts in what she perceives to be the right way.

However, one might argue: is that truly the correct choice? Should she escape and simply erase them, thus providing closure for everyone? It’s a genuine dilemma, as he states. This situation is profoundly troubling to confront. Ultimately, she attempts to make the most compassionate decision, but by doing so, she also condemns them to this bizarre, miserable existence of being trapped within her psyche. This is what makes Charlie’s writing so exceptional.

The Significance of Nanette’s Decision for the Ending of Black Mirror’s USS Callister

Evolving Legacy: The Moral Complexity of Nanette’s Choice

In the climactic moments of USS Callister: Into Infinity, Nanette takes decisive action by eliminating Daly’s digital clone during their showdown in the Heart of Infinity. This critical move not only eradicates his consciousness from the digital realm but also empowers her to reclaim control over a situation that once left her feeling utterly helpless. This act of defiance and liberation resonates with the core themes of the original USS Callister episode, while pushing those themes to new heights, as instead of merely evading or outsmarting Daly again, she actively dismantles the cycle of abuse. This pivotal moment underscores Nanette’s resolute commitment to safeguarding herself and her crew, yet it also sets a darker tone regarding the series’ portrayal of AI ethics and the implications of simulated realities.

Although Nanette’s courageous actions ultimately save her crew, the game collapses after her confrontation with Robert, leaving the crew ensnared in a pocket universe that exists solely within her mind. This scenario raises profound questions about whether she is creating a new ethical gray area or simply taking the necessary steps to ensure survival. Black Mirror has consistently thrived on ambiguous conclusions, but this particular ending is especially significant as it illustrates that surviving in a nightmarish virtual existence may necessitate real-world ruthlessness.

While it appears that Nanette and her crew have achieved a semblance of peace, the final moments of the episode hint at possible plot developments for a future installment of USS Callister, this time concentrating on the crew and Nanette’s dynamics once she reintegrates into the real world.

Analyzing Nanette’s Decision: A Deep Dive

A Thoughtful Sequel That Maintains Moral Ambiguity

Cristin Milioti’s portrayal of Nanette in this episode stands out as one of the most compelling elements of Into Infinity. Her performance, marked by a simmering fury and profound compassion, keeps viewers captivated, even in scenes devoid of a clear antagonist. The garage scene serves as a powerful testament to Nanette’s transformation from a victim seeking liberation to a decisive leader maneuvering through a fractured system.

Although USS Callister: Into Infinity might rank among the more introspective chapters in the Black Mirror anthology, it compellingly demonstrates the series’ ability to reinterpret earlier narratives with intent and significance, setting the stage for what could be an exhilarating third chapter. While Black Mirror season 8 is yet to be confirmed, should it return, the show could delve into how Nanette copes with life outside the digital prison and whether she maintains her ethical integrity or risks becoming what she once opposed.