Black Mirror S7 E5 Ending: The “Intense” Truth Behind The Last Look On Philip’s Face Explained By Eulogy’s Paul Giamatti

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Black Mirror season 7, episode 5!Black Mirror season 7, episode 5 star Paul Giamatti explains the "intense" truth behind the last look on Philip's face at the end "Eulogy." Black Mirror season 7, episode 5 sees lonely man Philip (Giamatti) going through the memories of his old flame, Carol, after her death. He's transported into his memories through the technology Eulogy in order to find her face, leading to an emotional journey that ends with him remembering what she looked like. The final shot sees him both sad and happy, watching as she plays the cello.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Giamatti explained the importance behind Black Mirror season 7, episode 5's ending. The actor said that, while the final moment is "bittersweet" to some extent, it's actually a happy ending, with Philip finally remembering the face of someone he loved. See what the actor said below:

When I first read it, I thought it was a sort of bittersweet ending, kind of literally. But I thought it was ambiguous. When we were shooting, we had conversations, like, is this good for this guy? Is this good technology? Is it helping people?.... He's found this person and lets her go at the same time, so it is therapeutic and positive. A happy ending? As happy as one of these shows could be, but he ends up in a better place than he was in.

As for the final look of emotion on Philip's face, Giamatti said there was joy because he finally remembered things about Carol he'd previously pushed from his mind. But there's also a heart-wrenching sadness, too, because the moments he's reliving are gone, even if they are happy ones. Check out more of what Giamatti had to say:

I was so happy to see her, so happy to finally see her face and remember how beautiful she was and what a lovely presence she was. But, it was also heartbreaking to see her again, because she's gone. She wasn't really there. The tension between, 'I don't want to think about it' and 'I do want to think about it' finally gets reconciled. I can think about it, but it's gone. That moment of finally being able to grab it, it goes away, too. It's intense.

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A Happy & Sad Conclusion For Philip's Story

Paul Giamatti as Philip looking both happy and sad in Black Mirror season 7 episode 5

While most seasons of Black Mirrorpresent episodes that offer dark social commentary or provide cautionary tales about technology, some episodes are also emotional journeys for the characters. "Eulogy" offers one to Philip, who, while being guided through his memories by a digital version of Carol's daughter (Patsy Ferran), realizes his old love had been willing to forgive him, but he never read the letter she'd sent. Because he never showed up, they lived their lives apart, making his memory of her all the more beautifully tragic.

Chris O'Dowd and Rashida Jones holding hands and looking concerned in Black Mirror season 7 episode 1

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Even though Carol is gone, Giamatti's statement emphasizes how the episode doesn't end on a sad note. Rather, there's a beauty in the fact Philip remembers what her face looks like, watching her play the cello while a number of complex emotions rush across his face. It makes it one of the best Black Mirror episodes of the season, as it focuses on human connection, even after death. Although it seems the protagonist regrets how his life has gone because of losing her, he also has a chance to heal now that he recalls everything about their past together.

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A Perfect Emotional High To Finish Out On

Exploring grief and regret, "Eulogy" provides a fitting ending that feels uplifting, as Philip now remembers Carol's face and can move beyond the turmoil he's lived with for so long. It fits the narrative so well because it allows a bitter man to become more emotionally vulnerable, something that could carry over into the life he lives now that his memories are clearer. While Black Mirror often includes dystopian episodes that are almost akin to horror, season 7, episode 5 provides one that's instead both memorable and emotional.

All episodes of Black Mirror are now streaming on Netflix.

Source: EW