May 18, 2025

Week 4 | 5.18.25

» I <3 Murderbot

• This is a phrase many of my friends have heard me say over the last few years, referring to both the series of books by Martha Wells and the titular character. Now, joyously, it can also refer to the new Apple TV+ show.

• I was scared my expectations were too high! But the first two episodes have yet to let me down. I feel buoyant at having been gifted an actually good adaptation of one of my favorite series. How many people can say that!

• For the uninitiated, “The Murderbot Diaries,” by Martha Wells is a series of sci-fi novellas and novels following Murderbot. Murderbot itself is a security unit (aka “SecUnit”); a cyborg guard owned and operated by The Corporation Rim who hacks its governor module and frees itself of the megacorporation’s control. However, instead of leaving its employ, Murderbot sticks around while using its newfound freedom to watch thousands of hours of “media” (aka tv).

• I really think Apple TV+ was the only “network” who could have made this show. They are willing to put big piles of money towards adaptations and their slick, bright filming style is perfectly suited to this world. The biggest things that this show needed to nail for me were the casting of Murderbot (Alex Skarsgard might have been a controversial pick among fans, but I think he’s nailing it), the casting of the Preservation Aux team (also great so far, I love that it’s all actors unknown to me), and the humor (I have to believe Alex Skarsgard listened to the audiobooks and is channeling some of Kevin R Free’s perfect vibe).

• One of the most charming things about Murderbot for me (both the series and character again) has been its balance of the satirical, comedic, and the earnest. The Corporation Rim is a ridiculous combo of every gigantic evil corporate empire in Sci-Fi and yet… it’s also an actual threat at times. Murderbot’s desire to just watch tv and not talk to people is funny and yet… its love of soap operas saves the day at multiple points. The Preservation Aux team’s hippy poly lifestyle boarders on comedic and yet… provides amazing character moments and the contrast between them and Murderbot allows the series to ask the important sci-fi questions like: what does it mean to be human or not.

• An unexpected delight: getting to actually see clips from Murderbot’s favorite soap opera, “The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon,” staring John Cho as basically original Captain Kirk with even more camp.

» On watching “Andor” s1 for the first time:

• I was going to write about finally watching Andor here (I’m only through s1 so please no spoilers) but I don’t think I really have anything new to say. Just that wow the show is actually really good but why are the first aprox 5 episodes so hard to get invested in.

• Things I appreciated about this show: It gave us characters that felt human and complex (rare for Star Wars), it actually looked good on screen (rare of any tv show now), and it didn’t make the Empire seem secretly cool (why does Lucasfilm usually want everyone to like the space n*zi’s).

• Honorable mention: Andy Serkis deserved an Emmy for ep 10. Everyone deserved an Emmy for ep 10.

» A takeaway from both shows:

• This week I’ve really been thinking about how much I appreciate a show having the clear vision and pov. Both of these stories were initially written by one person and while so many others helped each vision come to life, I think that single perspective really shines through.

» Important PSA: Trader Joe’s has the sparking guava juice cans back.