After four frantic episodes of
Humans,
it's all coming together as we throttle forward into the second half of this thrilling and suspenseful Channel 4/AMC drama - and as we've noticed, Humans is a lot more than just that. After last weeks shocking cliffhanger (which, I apologize for not being around to review), the show is beginning to finally weave together the endless multitude of string - that are dubiously created plot lines, and I'm finally beginning to understand more of the show's general purpose. Humans is finding its feet, and it's doing so in a way that still makes me hesitant and exhilarated for how this show is going to conclude, because even though this episode allowed us to take a large step forward, there are still many more questions that need to be answered.
After Joe's guilty gander last week, the Hawkins family is in collision on whether to keep Anita. At first, I was muttering
"not this again" in my brain, expecting, of course, for Laura to side against her and once again, it would be Adults vs. Children (like that of most households). However, instead, Laura is beginning to turn away from his repetitive negativity, instead, she wishes, like Mattie, to be a force with her - something which could hold this relationship in extreme power regarding the debate upon whether Humans and Synths can work together within society.
Whilst the previous episode was not as riveting as this weeks, the giant cliffhanger that Karen Voss, was in-fact, another very well disguised Synth, was perfectly dramatic and electric to watch - especially as I screamed to the Television
"Is that a water balloon coming from her chest?" - and of course, another unexpected element (or expected, depending on how closely you've been watching), added to Humans' unique and integral tension. This week, following Niska's atrocious public attack, Voss and Pete are investigating Niska's identity and whereabouts. However, do both have the same end goal? Pete's hatred comes from his inner jealousy, of course, as we see him joining in at a social discrimination event against Synths. Whereas, Voss seems to have a more detailed presence in her detective work - is she trying to find fellow Synths similar to her? And how did she gain this consciousness, as she isn't involved in Leo's band of misfits. Once again, Humans continues to be groundbreaking in its ease to shock the audience, no need for the over-use of death, the subtle hints to character interests allows Humans to be intense in its own fragile way.
Talking about our daredevil droid, Niska had (finally) a bit more of a calmer day... Wait,
hold on, that doesn't mean she doesn't still try to kill someone, of course she does, she just does some other stuff whilst she's at it. No but really, that
"other stuff" is quite important. Leo - quite cleverly, may I add - decides to put her somewhere she's safe (which isn't most places when you've just killed/wounded many people), so she's in the hands of the lovely George Millican. These scenes allow us to get more descriptions on how these 'special' Synths were created, and now I'm finally understanding the larger plot that has been cowering behind the hordes of character development we've had recently. However, the writers continue to be very intelligent, for it may be not until now in which we're beginning to learn the secrets of Humans, but we care for these characters , albeit some more than others, but either way, introducing the main story arch now, means it's worth something and the outcome is dear to our hearts because we have bonded strongly with these characters. In the end, it all pays off.
Elsewhere, Mattie has taken a brave jump into helping Leo and Max figure out whether Anita could return to her previous form, but it seems everything isn't going to plan. There were some stellar moments here, especially as it all becomes crucially heartbreaking for Leo and we begin to finally see why he's really doing this - because he wishes to have back the girl he once loved. These moments allowed us, once again, to see Humans exploring yet more themes - this being love, and how unlike Leo, you should never give up on it. Sorry, this is getting a bit deep again. (I'll wipe away my tears...)
Love isn't being very strong anywhere, it seems. Guilt wondering around the abyss of Joe's mind, with even his son shockingly taking the blame, it was time to own up and face up to the consequences of his Anita antics. Obviously, it wasn't going to go down well, and Laura was having none of it. Whilst this may be the more melodramatic part of the plot, it definitely allows us to see the problems with something being better than humanity, is that of course, nothing that a human does, can be better than what the Synth does. Which means, of course, why do we need love?
The biggest "WOW" moment of the episode for me, was the fact the writers have completely done a U-point turn on what we thought we knew about Hobb's presence on the show. After keeping Fred captive for so long, I was sure his death was just around the corner. As Millican continued to bring up names and stories about how they were created, Fred's death was imminent. Until, the writers did a stellar cliffhanger, possibly the best one yet, that Hobb is actually those who helped create Fred - so what are his real plans? Whatever they are, I'm so excited after this honest and beautiful installment to Humans.
My favourite episode this series, episode five of
Humans finally integrates all of the plots that have been introduced, as well as welcoming the main essence of the show with a more-than-satisfying cliffhanger, whilst still adding those real, emotional elements that make Humans, well 'Human'. With everything going a little mad as the second half of the series proceeds, I'm still unstable about how the show will conclude - and yet, I'm quite alright with that.
What did you think of this episode of
Humans? Do you think Laura and Joe will ever find love again? And what do you think Hobbs up to?
Let me know in the comments below.
About the Author - Owen Bush
Owen likes to regard himself as a reviewer, photographer, graphical designer and obssessor over a large range of TV shows. He also takes large interest in acting and drama - so if you see him in a TV show in 2050, let him know. In The Flesh will always be dear to his heart.
I think it's brilliant that Karen is a Synth and her partner doesn't know it.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this ep, and I felt like I was watching the birth of the Terminators, only more slowly. Or maybe the birth of the Cylons. This would be how it would start. A very slow infiltration until you didn't know most of the people around you could be Synths.
I like how people get so attached to them, even though they are buying a household appliance. It becomes much more than that, to where they start to think of them as real. And then when you get self aware ones, you have that line of, are they artificial life with souls. And wouldn't it be better to be one of them? You wouldn't age, you'd be stronger, faster, better, like Niska said.
I love how complex Niska is. She is a Terminator, but she still has human feelings. It makes you wonder if she will reject all humans or turn the other way in the end.
I hope Anita will get her memories back. You get the feeling she must still be in there, especially when she was looking up at the moon.
I thought Fred's death was probably faked, but you never know. I hope they do create more self aware Synths this season.
I love this series. I wish more people would watch it. It really is brilliant. I don't feel like the networks are promoting it enough.
Glad to see some reviews of this show. Five episodes in and I am quite enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteWow!! Two different factions? Now, that's an amazing theory. Opens up a lot of possible story lines. Intra Synth Covert War for Dominance (humans caught in the crossfire) is the first thing that comes to mind. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm kinda hoping for, it would make for a great series if that was the direction they were to go in imo. It's just a theory I've come up with though, trying to work out why Voss is so different to the Elster synths.
ReplyDeleteThe main problem is that she and Hobbs don't appear to be working together at present - she is having to dig around the investigation into the smash club to get the information he already knows, for example. So as a theory it's quite there yet. But I also think that Odi is hiding something, or is special too in some way perhaps, once we know more there it might make more sense.
You may be right about Odi. I'm sure we'll see him again.
ReplyDeleteHahah yes, I guess we could say 'Humans' is a subtle 'Terminator' :P
ReplyDeleteIt's a very scary view, that actually, we become dependable on technology, but technology isn't dependable on us to work.
I'm not sure you've seen my other reviews for the show, but I mention that Niska is a little like a child, she's very irrational and because she has only ever lived in the darkness of humans, she sees all humans as the darkness.
Yes! I really thought she may come back, and I'm still sure she will - but as we know, anything could happen with this show.
I'm nearly certain it was, that definitely did not look like Fred and now we know Hobb started to make these 'Human Synths', so he must have some sort of alternate mission.
It should be bigger, as with In The Flesh - both are so intelligent and more than your average show, but it broke records for Channel 4 in the UK, so I guess that's a plus.
Thanks for reading my review!
That may be interesting, and I could see it happening.
ReplyDeleteI definitely did not think of that, but it seems very likely now that I am. I'm thinking maybe something to do with Odi's memories? We'll see.
I'm confident Anita will, or somehow, by them all connecting, that will jump start Mia's old life? I love how this show is so unpredictable.
ReplyDeleteKaren has to be in the mix somehow, possibly one of Hobb's creations?
Definitely could suggest a possibility for another season of the show...
ReplyDeleteThere's been some hype, should be more, alas, means we can enjoy it more! I am too, this last episode was very good and promising for the future.
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite summer show right now. I was a bit skeptical of a few of the storylines for the first few episodes but now everything is coming together nicely.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Karen subplot but I fear there is a very unhappy ending coming. Her partner seems kind of terrible.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I just binge-watched all five episodes this weekend and I love this show. I'm adding this to the list of pleasant surprises this summer. I love the Anita storyline and I like the way that her relationship between Laura has evolved, as well as Mattie's determination to uncover Anita's memories. Both Laura and Mattie were characters that I didn't like in the beginning, and now they're among my favorites.
ReplyDelete