What was with the schoolgirl synth? Is she some sort of classroom assistant?
Humans - Channel 4
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Originally Posted by GodAtum:
“why did the detective synth abandon the rest of them?”
“why did the detective synth abandon the rest of them?”
That was unclear, even from the first series. Think maybe she fell out with their maker.
Niska's personality does not exactly exude emotion or vulnerability, lucky the trial is not on in America, she would get the chair I fear.
Another one who misunderstood and didn't realise it was the daughter 
I thought she was just doing that 'synthing' that was mentioned, i.e. human pretending to be a synth, presumably she's not actually a Vulcan.
Oh, and Mr Cafe owner, you are so busted it's like you were caught with a suspiciously large bulk purchase of puncture repair kits
Originally Posted by dodrade:
“What was with the schoolgirl synth? Is she some sort of classroom assistant?”
“What was with the schoolgirl synth? Is she some sort of classroom assistant?”
I thought she was just doing that 'synthing' that was mentioned, i.e. human pretending to be a synth, presumably she's not actually a Vulcan.
Oh, and Mr Cafe owner, you are so busted it's like you were caught with a suspiciously large bulk purchase of puncture repair kits
Detective Synth was created to replace Leo's psycho mom. Leo's genius psycho dad decided to rebuild his whole family. He wheels her out as a birthday present more or less, after stuffing 16.7% of the great plan into her head, and poor cinnamon bun Leo goes "MURDEROUS MOMMY MAKE HER GO AWAY GO AWAY". Sibling/Mia synths take care of him while dad takes her out to the woods, tells her to scamper, and then *kills* *himself* without even doing the courtesy of synthing himself first. (Not really healthy family dynamics.)
Beatrice -- the youngest but most advanced model of them all -- scarpers, alone, unloved, becomes Karen, the cynical, sharp, and knowing detective who only drinks to fit in and has the most beautiful apartment one could imagine. The others believe she was destroyed before Daddy E killed himself.
When she's reintroduced to the collective, they all say "but we would have loved you" and Leo would have gotten over his "freaked out to his core" reaction. Relations at the end of Series 1 remain cool between the collective and Karen, who prefers to stay with her favorite human and pick out aubergine headboards.
I love Niska, who has adopted a "black panthers" attitude about refusing to sell out and "act human", even to save her life. Unlike Hester, she's not a psychopath. She loves books and music and German girls, and probably wouldn't kill just to tidy up some loose ends...
Unlike (also) new Dr. Evil from America, who is happily disassembling and killing sentient synths so she can fulfill her sick twisted dream of resurrecting her daughter. Not sure if she's re-creating the daughter in Vee or she managed to do a partial Leo without the tech to re-implant, but I'm pretty sure Merlin is going to end up on her table and either be dissected or close to dissected so she can get the daughter she feels she's owed.
I don't get what Mia sees in Cafe Boy other than she's programmed to find people who need her and fix their lives. It doesn't seem like an equal or balanced relationship, and if they were human, I'd be telling him to run away.
Beatrice -- the youngest but most advanced model of them all -- scarpers, alone, unloved, becomes Karen, the cynical, sharp, and knowing detective who only drinks to fit in and has the most beautiful apartment one could imagine. The others believe she was destroyed before Daddy E killed himself.
When she's reintroduced to the collective, they all say "but we would have loved you" and Leo would have gotten over his "freaked out to his core" reaction. Relations at the end of Series 1 remain cool between the collective and Karen, who prefers to stay with her favorite human and pick out aubergine headboards.
I love Niska, who has adopted a "black panthers" attitude about refusing to sell out and "act human", even to save her life. Unlike Hester, she's not a psychopath. She loves books and music and German girls, and probably wouldn't kill just to tidy up some loose ends...
Unlike (also) new Dr. Evil from America, who is happily disassembling and killing sentient synths so she can fulfill her sick twisted dream of resurrecting her daughter. Not sure if she's re-creating the daughter in Vee or she managed to do a partial Leo without the tech to re-implant, but I'm pretty sure Merlin is going to end up on her table and either be dissected or close to dissected so she can get the daughter she feels she's owed.
I don't get what Mia sees in Cafe Boy other than she's programmed to find people who need her and fix their lives. It doesn't seem like an equal or balanced relationship, and if they were human, I'd be telling him to run away.
Count me in for another one who assumed that the woman in the coma was Morrow's girlfriend seeing as they looked about the same age in the photo that was shown. Also did anyone notice that at one point Voss called Karen by his( presumably ex-wife's name) Kate?
Originally Posted by Welsh-lad:
“God could this get more languid and soporific?
Scientist woman wants to help her daughter.
Is Niska adequately sentimental.
Could have done it all in ten minutes.
This is very much lacking momentum.”
“God could this get more languid and soporific?
Scientist woman wants to help her daughter.
Is Niska adequately sentimental.
Could have done it all in ten minutes.
This is very much lacking momentum.”
It's a similar set-up to series one. An introspective, slow-moving start and then I expect all the action will hit in the last couple of episodes. I don't mind that at all personally. I find the most fascinating part of this series the commentary on human nature and I don't think you can do that as effectively if you're focusing too much on where the story is going. Nonetheless, there are clear signs about where we're heading. Hestor is definitely one to watch. I can't wait for her and Niska to meet.
I have to admit I'm not really all that interested in Mia's love story but I get why they're doing it. It does feel a bit odd to me that so much was made of the love between Leo and Mia last season and now they seem almost distant with each other.
I loved Toby's tentative meeting with the 'Synthy' girl. He definitely has a thing for synths so this could be the perfect compromise for him.
And the moment with Odi gaining consciousness was beyond lovely. Will Tudor is just extraordinary.
Originally Posted by Eve Elle:
“Ohh, so it was her sister then? Guess I should mention that when I say Trinity, I mean Carrie-Anne Moss who plays Dr. Athena Morrow on the show but is probably most famous for playing Trinity in the Matrix trilogy. Just for anyone who was wondering.
”
“Ohh, so it was her sister then? Guess I should mention that when I say Trinity, I mean Carrie-Anne Moss who plays Dr. Athena Morrow on the show but is probably most famous for playing Trinity in the Matrix trilogy. Just for anyone who was wondering.
”
I'm glad you explained that. I wish people would stop doing this - naming characters from totally unrelated series/films.
Originally Posted by _elly001:
“... I loved Toby's tentative meeting with the 'Synthy' girl. He definitely has a thing for synths so this could be the perfect compromise for him. ...”
“... I loved Toby's tentative meeting with the 'Synthy' girl. He definitely has a thing for synths so this could be the perfect compromise for him.
...”
Have we had a storyline count yet?
a) People having sex with robots*
b) Robots killing people
c) Hack the planet
d) "Ah! Very good. Would you mind telling me whose brain I DID put in?" "Then you won't be angry?" "I will NOT be angry." "Abby someone." [etc]
More seriously on the 'brain' theme, is the upgrade allowing Odi's brain to self-repair or work around the damage? Or is he going to get a twirlable waxed moustache and draw some melting clocks...?
* or depending on what you paid for, robots having sex with people.
Originally Posted by Straker:
“Absolutely tanking in the ratings. Series 3 seems highly unlikely.”
“Absolutely tanking in the ratings. Series 3 seems highly unlikely.”
Yeah i was just looking at last nights ratings
I am not making excuses but i wonder if airing later in the year and having tough competition isn't helping. Or has the quality gone down? I wouldn't know as i am saving series 2 for a binge once it has already aired. But if the show axed, i won't bother as it has already been confirmed that series 2 ends on a cliffhanger to set series 3 up
Originally Posted by Straker:
“Absolutely tanking in the ratings. Series 3 seems highly unlikely.”
“Absolutely tanking in the ratings. Series 3 seems highly unlikely.”
A couple of the actors on Sunday Brunch yesterday said they'd been signed for Series 3 - would that happen if it hadn't already been finalised?
I don't think the marketing campaign - as clever as it was - did this series many favours as it was a bit abstract but I suspect the show overall is doing well on All 4. Anyway, I think Netflix would pick it up if Channel 4 ever decided to drop it. It's right up their street.
Originally Posted by _elly001:
“A couple of the actors on Sunday Brunch yesterday said they'd been signed for Series 3 - would that happen if it hadn't already been finalised?
I don't think the marketing campaign - as clever as it was - did this series many favours as it was a bit abstract but I suspect the show overall is doing well on All 4. Anyway, I think Netflix would pick it up if Channel 4 ever decided to drop it. It's right up their street.”
“A couple of the actors on Sunday Brunch yesterday said they'd been signed for Series 3 - would that happen if it hadn't already been finalised?
I don't think the marketing campaign - as clever as it was - did this series many favours as it was a bit abstract but I suspect the show overall is doing well on All 4. Anyway, I think Netflix would pick it up if Channel 4 ever decided to drop it. It's right up their street.”
No. Quite a few shows have their actors signed up to multiple seasons. They do this all the time in the US. As a way so they don't lose them to other projects. But those seasons don't have to get made if the show is flopping.
Originally Posted by little-monster:
“No. Quite a few shows have their actors signed up to multiple seasons. They do this all the time in the US. As a way so they don't lose them to other projects. But those seasons don't have to get made if the show is flopping.”
“No. Quite a few shows have their actors signed up to multiple seasons. They do this all the time in the US. As a way so they don't lose them to other projects. But those seasons don't have to get made if the show is flopping.”
Ah, I see, thank you.
I'm still not too worried but it would be a shame if it got dropped. In my opinion it's the best UK series in quite some time.
Originally Posted by _elly001:
“Ah, I see, thank you.
I'm still not too worried but it would be a shame if it got dropped. In my opinion it's the best UK series in quite some time.”
“Ah, I see, thank you.
I'm still not too worried but it would be a shame if it got dropped. In my opinion it's the best UK series in quite some time.”
You are welcome Elly
Intrigued by the Sophie Hawkins story line (no reaction to cutting her hand & OCD tidyness). Is there some kind of "synth" bug in the air? Perhaps the "synth" schoolgirl cannot help what is happening to her, & has no choice?
Originally Posted by little-monster:
“Yeah i was just looking at last nights ratings
I am not making excuses but i wonder if airing later in the year and having tough competition isn't helping. Or has the quality gone down? I wouldn't know as i am saving series 2 for a binge once it has already aired. But if the show axed, i won't bother as it has already been confirmed that series 2 ends on a cliffhanger to set series 3 up”
“Yeah i was just looking at last nights ratings
I am not making excuses but i wonder if airing later in the year and having tough competition isn't helping. Or has the quality gone down? I wouldn't know as i am saving series 2 for a binge once it has already aired. But if the show axed, i won't bother as it has already been confirmed that series 2 ends on a cliffhanger to set series 3 up”
I don't think it has to do with broadcasting slot.
Some people made some good points above about how they like the slow pace as it shows the exploration of what it means to be human.
My feeling is that this can be done without slowing the pace down to a crawl.
I'm not surprised people switched off last night - it did get very torpid.
I am beginning to wonder why I'm still watching.
It could easily have been left tied up at the end of Season 1 with the partial resolution of at least some of the storylines. We had an explanation. This season isn't going anywhere - part of me hopes they're actually going to throw Niska in the crusher.
I'm actually going to watch 'Real Humans' instead, it's a totally different premise reading the synopses.
It could easily have been left tied up at the end of Season 1 with the partial resolution of at least some of the storylines. We had an explanation. This season isn't going anywhere - part of me hopes they're actually going to throw Niska in the crusher.
I'm actually going to watch 'Real Humans' instead, it's a totally different premise reading the synopses.
When Isaac Asimov wrote the first robot stories, he created the 3 laws of robotics which are:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
I would have thought that any society relying on robots would have these laws permanently programmed in the all synths.
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
I would have thought that any society relying on robots would have these laws permanently programmed in the all synths.
Originally Posted by burton07:
“When Isaac Asimov wrote the first robot stories, he created the 3 laws of robotics which are:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
I would have thought that any society relying on robots would have these laws permanently programmed in the all synths.”
“When Isaac Asimov wrote the first robot stories, he created the 3 laws of robotics which are:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
I would have thought that any society relying on robots would have these laws permanently programmed in the all synths.”
What can be programmed can be unprogrammed.
It would have to be hard wired into them which even then may still be circumvented.
Originally Posted by burton07:
“When Isaac Asimov wrote the first robot stories, he created the 3 laws of robotics which are:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
I would have thought that any society relying on robots would have these laws permanently programmed in the all synths.”
“When Isaac Asimov wrote the first robot stories, he created the 3 laws of robotics which are:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
I would have thought that any society relying on robots would have these laws permanently programmed in the all synths.”
But didn't David Elster create the consciousness code separately (and secretly) to the societal-approved type of synths? Synths without the consciousness code appear to abide by those laws (I can't think of any examples where the don't), but those with consciousness weren't approved by the powers that be and that's kind of the whole point of the series, to explore the ramifications of synths who don't automatically defer to humans as superior beings.
Originally Posted by burton07:
“I would have thought that any society relying on robots would have these laws permanently programmed in the all synths.”
“I would have thought that any society relying on robots would have these laws permanently programmed in the all synths.”
I would have thought so too, though of course that's what some of his stories were about, the way that they turned out not to be quite so cut-and-dried as they might seem.
And there was the addition '0 The humanity'
presumably to prevent Skynet but which would not have prevented Viki taking over.
Originally Posted by _elly001:
“... but those with consciousness weren't approved by the powers that be and that's kind of the whole point of the series, to explore the ramifications of synths who don't automatically defer to humans as superior beings.”
“... but those with consciousness weren't approved by the powers that be and that's kind of the whole point of the series, to explore the ramifications of synths who don't automatically defer to humans as superior beings.”
I don't know about the 'superior beings' bit because each synth has its designated driver and they don't automatically defer to all fleshies, but definitely - the machines learning how not to get caught is rather an important bit.
My main gripe with this is they're throwing in way too many storyline strands, I highlighted them here, have I missed any?
https://www.reddit.com/r/BritishTV/c...mans_spoilers/
https://www.reddit.com/r/BritishTV/c...mans_spoilers/
Originally Posted by burton07:
“When Isaac Asimov wrote the first robot stories, he created the 3 laws of robotics which are:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
I would have thought that any society relying on robots would have these laws permanently programmed in the all synths.”
“When Isaac Asimov wrote the first robot stories, he created the 3 laws of robotics which are:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
I would have thought that any society relying on robots would have these laws permanently programmed in the all synths.”
Yes, that would be the case alright. But the longer this story goes, the more I am convinced that it is really an allegory about modern life just for people. The synths are all encountering very contemporary human societal problems.
The writers this week had Carrie-Anne Moss' character reveal that the synth "consciousness" she has on a server is in fact her comatose or vegetative state child's mind.
I can't think of a more specifically human moral dilemma facing mankind. What it has to do with robots, synths, cyborgs or androids is unclear.
Originally Posted by Straker:
“Absolutely tanking in the ratings. Series 3 seems highly unlikely.”
“Absolutely tanking in the ratings. Series 3 seems highly unlikely.”
Reason: the I'm a Celeb juggernaut was back on ITV on the same Sunday night timeslot.
Channel 4 did the same with Indian Summer, dimwits.
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