By Jacob Cameron

Murderbot is a Sci-Fi Comedy show from AppleTV+ coming from Chris & Paul Weitz. The Weitzs’ are known primarily for eclectic careers in the realm of screenwriting. Writing for such projects as Disney live-action remakes and Blumhouse horror films. Chris Weitz in particular has spent considerable time in the sci-fi world in recent years. This experience has come in handy with Murderbot and has led to an enjoyable season of television.

Murderbot stars Alexander Skarsgaard as the titular character. Murderbot is a security android who is tasked with protecting a crew of scientists conducting research on a strange planet. Unlike other androids, Murderbot has overridden his governor module, unlocking his free will. Murderbot must hide this newfound free will while also helping and protecting the scientists at all costs. While uncovering a conspiracy from within the company that hired the scientists.

As mentioned, Chris Weitz has focused on the sci-fi genre in recent years. With an emphasis on robotics and AI. He has written screenplays for 2023’s The Creator and 2024’s Afraid which focus on AI. Murderbot definitely focuses on this; while taking it in a more comedic direction. Ultimately this leads to an enjoyable season with room to grow in additional seasons.

Alexander Skarsgaard does an admirable job. He has the duty of making a robot sympathetic and he succeeds. There is a constant conflict between Murderbot’s built-in programming and this newfound free will that was engaging. There are also little factors to the character that were interesting. Including, but not limited to, space soap operas which he calls “premium quality entertainment.”

The other big name in this show is David Dastmalchian who also plays an android named Gurathin. However, this android is jaded, with a very complex history. Along with being consistently wary of Murderbot’s abilities and motivations. Not much is known about Gurathin’s past except for some dark times that are alluded to but never explained. Dastmalchian provides some of the bigger laughs of the season.

Outside of Murderbot and Gurathin, there are no real interesting characters. The rest of the crew are given just enough of a backstory to make them relevant. But, sadly, nothing too complex. The captain of the expedition has seven children and that fact is mentioned once in Episode 1 and once in Episode 9. The rest of the crew feel like they just exist with no real purpose. With the fake space soap opera feeling more dense.

There is plenty that this show could do to explore its themes in later seasons. It is implied that the company that created the mission and hired the crew is corrupt and using the crew to do their dirty work. That could be explored; along with Murderbot exploring the limits of his free will. It is possible to build upon plotlines started this season in the direction the Weitzs’ wanted to go.  Ultimately, this is a solid season. AppleTV+ might just have a gem on their hands. Though more interesting side characters are a must.

3 stars