I Was Wrong About the Murderbot Show and I'm Happy About It
What it says on the tin, essentially.
I first read All Systems Red by Martha Wells a few years ago – the first book of her amazing and deservedly popular The Murderbot Diaries series – and subsequently became a huge fan of the series.
I've been slowly but surely making my way through the series, which consists of mainly novellas, two full-length novels, and a short story or two. The only book in the series I’ve yet to read is the newest one, System Collapse.
Needless to say, I love this series, its themes, and its characters. I have also been trying to recommend it to others (with some success, I’m happy to report) any chance I have. So when the announcement of a Murderbot show adaptation came out, I was… not thrilled. In fact, I was rather upset and pessimistic.
The main reason, I think, is that I felt there wasn’t necessarily a need for an adaptation, and I had little confidence that it would be done well. Moreover, I feel so submerged in remakes and adaptations and IP (MCU, Star Wars, the endless Disney live action remakes), that apart from adaptations of some of my favourite childhood series – such as the Percy Jackson and the Olympians show on Disney+ – my first reaction is an immediate “no.” The fact that it would be live action was an additional downside, since I feel like this is the kind of show that could really shine as animation.
Essentially, I felt that this show wasn’t needed, I worried that it would be slightly soulless at best, and wondered why the lead character was being cast as a presumably-cis white guy. To be fair, in terms of Murderbot’s gender presentation, casting Alexander Skarsgård might not be such a bad idea. After seeing some discussion online, and thinking about it for five seconds, it is admittedly a good move to have a nonbinary character present/look more masculine, given that a lot of (erroneous) public perception of what nonbinary people look like is “androgynous” and femme-presenting (the latter often thought of as women-lite for good measure). So, good on the writers and creators for that; it also dovetails neatly with Kevin. R Free narrating the audiobooks.
With that said – a white person? I cannot be certain if Murderbot’s skin colour/appearance is ever fully detailed in the books; I’ve only read through them once and my memory isn’t the best. That said, a lot of fan art I’ve seen over the years depicts Murderbot as a POC, and it’s how I’ve always thought of and visualized the character.
All told, the stage was set for my utter lack of enthusiasm, which I do think was echoed in some parts of the online fandom. To be completely honest, I lowkey hoped the show would run into hurdles, as is often the case, and just…disappear. Never exist. Alas, a trailer came out a month or so ago, a lot of artists and writers I follow online were extremely hyped (the Leverage/Andor/Murderbot new season/releases being one of the key elements in keeping their optimism and mental health going in these current times), and apparently the trailer was well-received.
I still was not on board. I wasn’t planning on watching the show, I didn’t bother to even watch the trailer, and decided to let others be excited about it and simply go on with my day. I also had the impression that it was coming out sometime in June, and so it wouldn’t be out right away. The show was now on my radar, but that was it.
I also had the impression that it was coming out sometime in June, and so it wouldn’t be out right away. Everyone yelling excitedly about the first two episodes last week was therefore a bit of a shock. After multiple instances of reading excited and happy posts, and with the help of Apple TV giving me a 7-day free trial,[1] I caved in. I decided to have an indulgent evening, treat myself, and give those first two episodes a shot.[2] In fact, I will probably have to get an AppleTV subscription for at least a month, or until the first season ends.
My initial reaction to the first episode rather mirrored my reaction to the novella on which it is based, save for the fact that I’d been anticipating reading the book and had been dreading the show. I wasn’t immediately captivated, when I first started reading All Systems Red. I couldn’t quite see the hype that had brought me to try this series in the first place. It took a few pages, a chapter or so, for things to fully click. For me to go, “wow. okay. fuck.”
My reaction to episode 1, “FreeCommerce,” was rather similar. I firmly believe that the first few lines of the first book are iconic and perfect, so it was a bit jarring for the narration to start differently.[3] I wasn’t too sure about the new narration, the initial setup, and how they started the storyline. I really wasn’t sure about Alexander Skarsgård as Murderbot, wasn’t too sure about how the rest of the cast was introduced, and was side-eyeing the episode slightly.
Then perhaps around the time that we get our first glimpse of The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon, Murderbot’s favourite show,[4] I got completely hooked. There were some moments I’d already liked, such as the consensus scene early on, but those snippets of the in-world story within a story, and what came after – that really stole my heart.
The framing, including that beginning, does make sense and allows new viewers to be given the right context. The broadening of the perspectives helps not only in framing the story’s narrative and themes, but allows the PreservationAux crew to feel real and distinct in a way they never quite have for me in the books, especially in book 1.
Not only did they not whitewash those characters (thankfully), the actors embody them so well and ensure that each crew member steals whatever scene they’re in, and makes the viewer see them as fully-realized characters. It is one thing to have a mostly-sarcastic and unreliable narration; it is entirely a different thing to see these characters feel shock and fear and happiness and interact with each other in their own ways.
Even more cool is how they’ve made me love Gurathin and understand him in a way I never did, especially his actions and whole vibe in All Systems Red. Don’t get me wrong, I am very upset with him for a certain scene in episode 2, where he orders Murderbot to do something that Murderbot really isn’t on board with. Regardless, I love how his caution and his reticence not only makes more sense, but is in a way a positive thing, demonstrating his care and love for the other crew members. It’s frustrating and irritating, but in the best way! Mensah was another show-stealer for me, and I love getting more insight into her character and her worries and how she reacts to situations. Of course, Murderbot itself is amazing, and I am warming up to Skarsgård’s portrayal of it with each and every minute of the show.
Another thing I really appreciate, though I did find it a bit heavy-handed at first until I thought about it for more than five seconds, is how the show makes some of the themes extremely explicit right from the get-go. While it’s never been a secret, and while it might have been as explicitly stated throughout the series, I appreciate that the show immediately calls out the Corporation Rim creating and controlling constructs (such as Murderbot) as what it is – enslavement. That is one of the most important and visceral themes of the series. I really can’t wait to see the show’s take on identity, freedom, self-determination – all seen through the eyes of the one and only Murderbot.[5]
Finally, the episode length is truly perfect. While I balked when I first saw that each episode would only be 24min, since a lot of adult live-action shows usually run around 45min or longer,[6] it is another thing I’m glad to be wrong about. Since the season is based on a novella, having shorter episodes is a great balance of narrative and pacing. It is also very convenient for those of us with busy schedules, making it a cinch to fit one episode in without feeling guilty or having to reschedule things.
The show is clever, funny, and incredibly-acted. It is truly bringing the story even more to life. Here, the power of visual media reigns. I genuinely love what they’ve done with the show so far, and cannot wait to see what happens next.
[1] Which I don’t normally go for, since 7 days is usually not enough time for me to finish any show I’d be interested in.
[2] Very good life choice
[3] That is one of my only quibbles with the show. They could’ve started with that same line, and then gone on to do their thing. I will always firmly believe in the supremacy of that opening.
[4] And one I would totally watch myself if it really existed
[5] As well as its emotional support droid cameras.
[6] Such as The Wheel of Time, which is amazing and I highly recommend it