Humans

Another fantastic show canceled while reality rubbish keeps on spewing.

My wife and I operate a three episode policy when deciding to watch a new show. With all the great TV out there it can be hard to choose what to watch and not every show has a great start but develops into something memorable. As a result we always wait until we have DVR'd at least three episodes before watching the first. The other reason we record three is if the show is good we will want more immediately. Humans however left us wanting more after the third episode.

The concepts in this show are not ground breaking for any fan of the genre or any reader of science fiction but the fact it is set in the present day in a very relatable parallel reality (especially for Brits) is where this series gets its mojo. This is a thinking persons show the story is secondary to the compelling analysis of human nature and it's reactions to technology. Those who embrace it, those who reject it both are catered for here.

The production values are so very high and the casting is exemplary. Most people are not well known with the exception of William Hurt but there are familiar faces (again, especially for Brits) in there.

This show is not all action but is guaranteed to thrill you and chill you with it's moody pacing, moments of comedy and disturbing critique of humanity facing the very nature of its own creation.

I expected this series to be an "I Robot" lite, but in fact I am impressed with the first episode both from its acting and the completeness of this initial 'view' into an alternative world. Keeping my fingers crossed it will maintain this standard. Although I know this was adapted from a Swedish series I'm deliberately staying away from it for now. The opening episode certainly seems to have captured the sense of atmosphere and something impending that Scandinavians do so well. With a cast which is more than able to add some heft to the 'human' side of the story - it was equally gratifying to see the 'synthetics' pull off the difficult balancing act between machine behavior and enough 'emotional' content to set the series up for some dramatic juxtapositions. Although there is a small level of "adult" content I think its use, given the use of technology in our own world, was both relevant and all too believable.

Humans was such a great show! I really got into it, great rounded characters and a believable future. I was really looking forward to the next series. So disappointed.

From the beginning, the premise of this show, the writing, the acting, the twists and the human message were engrossing, and they have remained more so over the last three seasons, and by the way, very relevant: the stakes feel real and relatable to today's issues throughout.

Certainly, there is no evading comparisons to Black Mirror, as both shows are explorations of technological advances of the near future. Whereas Black Mirror is more of a warning of the potential pitfalls of technology, HUMANS is more about society's adjustment to human displacement not only in the economic realm, but also in other intrinsically human dimensions: sharing with -or relinquishing to- our own creations our place at the top of the totem pole is a struggle full of pain, fear, contradictions, inspiration and hope. Furthermore, unlike Black Mirror, HUMANS has a continuous story line with recurring characters, which allows more emotional engagement with their cause. Even the villains in HUMANS aren't black and white and their motivations do make sense, even when their actions are reprehensible.

This is a show every Political Political Science, Sociology or Philosophy courses should make young people watch and talk about. And for your average Sci-fi fan out there, this is a smart show with a lot of heart, in more ways than one.

Highly recommended.