I didn't expect a TV series called Murderbot to be so relatable. At first glance, this Apple TV Plus sci-fi comedy is a somewhat generic futuristic story about a group of humans exploring a dangerous planet with the help of a security bot designed to protect them. The key is in the perspective: the story is told from the bot's point of view, and it's actually experiencing it. It experiences free will for the first time and deals with the consequences, which makes it anxious, uncomfortable, and addicted to streaming TV. It may be designed to kill, but it's just like me.
The series begins with the awakening of Murderbot (Alexander Skarsgård). Though ostensibly dormant and working security at a mining facility, internally it's hacking the chip that governs its free will. These bots, called sec units (short for security unit), are hybrids, powered by AI and with bodies that combine mechanical and organic material. But they also have to do what they're told, thanks to something called a governor module. Somehow, Murderbot manages to deactivate it and then... well, he's free, but only partially. It's illegal to have a security unit without a functioning module, punishable by an acid bath, so Murderbot is forced to pretend it's still intact to avoid dying and losing his newfound freedom.
Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian
Eventually, the robot is picked up by a group surveying an alien planet and needing a security unit for their insurance. They choose the cheapest model (at the time, Murderbot is a refurbished unit, far from top-quality). However, they also come from a part of the galaxy that morally opposes the idea of security units, considering them a form of slave labor, which creates an interesting dynamic. As Murderbot tries to hide all the elements that prove he's a sentient being with thoughts, feelings, and interests, the crew around him slowly begins to treat him more like a real human being.
While all this is happening, Murderbot acts as the narrator, which is important; Since he's trying to keep his true identity hidden, the only way to know what's going on is to hear it directly from the robot himself. Skarsgård's somewhat stilted way of speaking suits him perfectly. He sounds like someone trying to sound human. He's a little clumsy and awkward, which makes it so appropriate.
What really makes him work is how funny and relatable Murderbot is. He hates humans—one of the first things he says is that they're "morons"—and is terrified of virtually any social interaction. At one point, Murderbot weighs the pros and cons of taking an acid bath versus giving a speech in front of the rest of the crew, and later is forced into the most devastating situation of all: prolonged eye contact. He also constantly tries to shirk his responsibilities so he can see every program he downloads and uses his surveillance powers to follow every romantic entanglement that occurs at the camp. In fact, much of his behavior comes from soap operas, where he quotes dialogue at dramatic moments because he doesn't know what else to say. Skarsgård's ironic use of these quips is the show's highlight.
As expected, the charade doesn't last forever, and over time, both sides integrate. Murderbot grows more and more comfortable being an autonomous, thinking being, while the investigative team slowly begins to understand what Murderbot is and treat him as, well, another member of the group (even if some remain suspicious).
It's not a particularly deep exploration of the concept of free will, but rather a strange and uncomfortable coming-of-age story. Murderbot may be a gigantic killing machine, but his journey to becoming a real person is as funny as it is relatable, filled with awkward social interactions and important personal revelations that feel more like a high school drama than a space opera. It's heartwarming to watch him not only grow as a person, but also find the right people to allow him to grow.
And all this while performing decently as a security unit, battling Dune-style sandworms and other malfunctioning robots. These sci-fi elements would be dull and forgettable on their own, but they become hilarious when viewed from Murderbot's perspective.
Murderbot also fills a gap in Apple's growing science fiction library. While it includes centuries-spanning epics, near-future nightmares, and grim dystopias, it's all pretty serious. There aren't many laughs. And while Murderbot explores some important themes around artificial intelligence and free will, it does so with a sense of lightheartedness and intrigue.
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