In the upcoming episode of Black Mirror, titled “Plaything,” Will Poulter revisits his character Colin Ritman, a brilliant and self-assured game designer first introduced in the 2018 interactive film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. As the narrative unfolds, audiences will see Colin’s character evolve, showcasing his innovative mindset and complex personality within the ever-changing landscape of technology and gaming.
Colin Ritman, an extremely intelligent and troubled young man becomes something of a mentor to the new kid on the block programmer, Stefan Butler, portrayed by Fionn Whitehead. As they grow closer, they begin to learn the rules of Tuckersoft’s devilishly complicated game design under the watchful eye of the fiery Mohan Thakur, Tuckersoft’s mysterious CEO. The real Colin magic comes from his deep technical understanding. He’s equally well-known for the individual fashion statements he makes – uniquely combining Japanese street style with a touch of Copenhagen design school sensibility.
In “Plaything,” audiences will experience Colin’s ingenuity and swagger as he teaches Stefan to navigate the rough waters of coding. Truly, Colin’s character is a true “ahead of his time.” You can see this idea reflected in all the different Easter eggs hidden throughout Bandersnatch. These small clues suggest Colin may have had some foreknowledge of what was to come. Put another way, this reinforces his role as something of a time-traveling historian in the plot.
Colin’s apartment is filled with records from years beyond his present day, creating a world that further sets off how ahead of the times he is. These artifacts aren’t just artistic flourishes – they underscore the narrative, weaving together exploration, adventure, technology and what it means to be human. As Poulter puts it, “There are some tiny details that indicate he’s time-traveled, if you pay very close attention.”
One of Colin’s innovations, for instance, is a new game called Thronglets—which Stefan eventually steals for himself. This act is central to the narrative. It brings Colin’s genius to life, but more importantly, it exposes the ethical conundrums that come to the forefront in the digital arena of competitive gaming. Colin’s character struggles with a profound awakening. Technology can and should be used to improve peoples’ lives and experiences, not disrupt them.
All through his social spikiness—indeed he’s been called “socially spiky”—Colin has the big radar on, on what kind of effects that technology is going to have on the world. His perspective is refreshingly optimistic. He believes in harnessing innovation to improve humanity’s conditions rather than merely pursuing profit or fame.
In “Plaything,” Poulter delves deeper into Colin’s psyche, exploring how this complex character navigates his relationships and responsibilities within the gaming industry. It’s sure to be an eye-opening exploration of the most important aspects of mentorship and the ethical dimensions of advancing technology.
“What is the f***ing point?” – Colin Ritman
Poulter returns to his role with a fresh outlook. He believes Colin’s journey is more relevant now than ever to the issues we face with technology and gaming today. The character’s evolution draws on real-life discussions on accountability and creativity in our growing digital landscape.
“Plaything” provides a deeply moving, intellectual story that provokes the mind as it delights and ensnares. It continuously pushes viewers to examine their own relationship with technology. Through Colin Ritman’s character we learn a valuable lesson – with great power comes great responsibility. Leadership is a continuing theme that strikes a powerful chord across the entire Black Mirror episodes.