Murderbot: Journal d'un AssaSynth

Alexander Skarsgard kills it in another hit in a long line of hits from Apple TV. I can't say enough about Apple TV. They continue to put out great shows, it reminds me of when HBO was in their prime and everything they put out was great. That's Apple TV now. I never read the books so I had no idea what to expect so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Murderbot is about a rogue security robot (Skarsgard) who gains the gift of free will. It reluctantly agrees to join a new mission protecting scientists on a dangerous planet when all it wants to do is stop killing and enjoy life free on its own. It may start off a little slow for some but stick with because it gets better and better with each episode. It's definitely best watched as a binge watch. This series does a good job raising ethical questions that apply to us today.

Great story, very good cast, high production value on screen; sadly, these 20-minute episodes are the letdown. I was delighted watching the first three episodes and the wait for the next week made me realize how short 20 minutes truly is. The story could have greatly benefited from a longer runtime. I believe the narrative would have been more engaging and satisfying if the show had been produced as a feature film, allowing for deeper engagement with the plot and continuing a strong character bonding for the audience. The brevity of each episode feels cut off and leaves the audience hanging to soon.

And there's no higher compliment for a show/movie than that. Haha

Excellent casting and acting (I mean that doesn't surprise me considering it's an Apple TV+ show)! The characters aren't too different from what one pictures while listening to the audiobook.

Whoever did the screenplay did a great job of translating from the book.

The story itself is so enjoyable. High stakes and levity blended beautifully.

Really looking forward to watching more seasons of the show.

Murderbot offers a fresh, engaging plot with a unique central character and a ok sci-fi world genuinely compelling.

Each episode though clocks in at around 20 minutes of actual content, stretched to about 25 minutes with previews, credits, and ads. It feels like just as you're starting to sink into the story, it's already over. The result is a stop-start experience that doesn't quite let the emotional or narrative weight land.

It's disappointing, because this world and several characters have the depth to sustain longer episodes. Instead, we get something that often feels more like a high-quality teaser or mini mico series than a fully satisfying viewing experience.

Murderbot may not be the exact adaptation I envisioned, but it's still a standout sci-fi series that deserves your attention. While I originally hoped for a tighter season that combined the first two novellas, the choice to expand the world and focus more deeply on the supporting characters was a bold-and ultimately rewarding-move.

The series smartly gives more weight to the human (and non-human) characters surrounding Murderbot, which adds richness to the universe and raises the emotional stakes. Moments like seeing Sanctuary Moon brought to life? A genius inclusion for longtime fans-and a clever entry point for newcomers.

That said, I do wish the pacing were sharper and that the show leaned more into what makes Murderbot, well, Murderbot: that sarcastic, deadpan, and deeply relatable internal monologue. It's one of the highlights of the books, and dialing that up in future seasons could take the show from great to unforgettable.

Still, the foundation is strong, the themes are smart, and the potential for Season 2 and beyond is massive. If you're into character-driven sci-fi with soul, heart, and the occasional awkward robot feels, Murderbot is absolutely worth the watch.