I didn’t want to subscribe to AppleTV+. Just one more stupid streaming service to take my money every month. However, I kept seeing all these great science fiction shows on this channel, and some of them were based on books I had read.
My friends kept saying, “Subscribe and cancel when you’re done.” So, I gave in.
And I haven’t cancelled it yet, because AppleTV+ keeps churning out great science fiction series. Those bastards.
It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed any science fiction and fantasy shows, so here are some I’ve watched recently on AppleTV+.
Murderbot
A security bot bypasses its governing module and attains free will. If the company that owns him finds out, however, they will melt him down. So, he hides his true nature from the “hippy scientists” who are his latest clients as they research a dangerous planet full of “hostiles.” While the scientists call it SecUnit, the robot has named itself “Murderbot.” Enemies all around reveal themselves, and Murderbot and his scientist clients begin to uncover the deadliest menace of all.
I’ve read a few of The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. They’re the short, quick reads this show is based on, and I enjoyed them. The show has fleshed out the personalities of the team of scientists, as well as the show within the show, called ‘The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon.’ Despite each episode being only 30 minutes, they accomplish a lot.
The subtle comedy of the books comes through brilliantly in the narration of SecUnit, which is performed perfectly by Alexander Skarsgård. His sardonic and monotonous tone cracks me up. The team of bumbling scientists endear themselves to the viewer with their naivety. Murderbot calls them “idiots,” but he has to protect them from the dangers of the world they’re studying. Or does he? He has free will after all.
Noma Dumezweni as Menzah, the leader of the science team, gives an excellent performance. She brings the character from the book to life in a warm and caring way. Menzah offers friendship and solidarity to SecUnit in both the show and the books.
One thing that bothers me about the team of scientists is that they don’t listen to the robot when it warns them of danger. I mean, that’s what he’s there for. Compare this with a classic sci-fi show. When the robot in Lost in Space threw up his arms and yelled, “Danger, Will Robinson!” that little punk scurried away as fast as possible. Over and over, the SecUnit tells the humans to get moving because they’re going to die. However, they are like, “Whatever.” This kind of drives me crazy. Maybe this is part of their nature, and perhaps a deliberate choice by the show’s writers. But I thought they’d learn by the fifth or sixth episode to haul ass when the SecUnit warns them.
That’s the only thing about this show that bothers me. So, if you like Firefly–I can’t believe it’s been over twenty years since that show aired–you’ll find a similar vibe with Murderbot. The final episode of season one is on its way, and I’m eagerly anticipating it.
Silo
Ten thousand humans live in a deep underground tower, a silo, where everyday life is carefully regulated and the history of their culture is kept secret. Anyone who decides to leave the claustrophobic society is free to do so. However, leaving the surface and going outside always leads to certain death. Whatever toxins or radiation exist in the air outside kill these ‘traitors.’
Whenever a rebellion occurs, it is usually squashed by the silo’s authorities. The show begins with a new rebellion, but this one is different. This one may actually overturn the city that has been built on these hundreds of levels below the Earth’s surface.
Silo was the reason I subscribed to AppleTV+ and the first show I watched on that streaming platform. After all, I read the books years ago. I also became a fan of Rebecca Ferguson after seeing her in the role of Jessica Atreides in the latest Dune films. What did I have to lose?
One thing I will say about the Silo show is that they capture the mood of the books. The sound stage is almost exactly as I pictured the scenes in Hugh Howey’s novels. The show and the books do a great job of unpeeling the mystery of whatever cataclysm forced the humans into the underground town.
At a few points, the show was a little slow, but that did serve to help build the rebellion boiling beneath the surface. There is a lot of great acting in each episode. Rebecca Ferguson continues to give great performances in her role as Juliette. Some other familiar faces show up: Tim Robbins plays a controlling leader who wants to keep tradition no matter who dies; Ian Glenn plays Juliette’s estranged father, a conflicted physician; and Rashida Jones plays Allison, who triggers everything in the first episode.
This show does a fantastic job of bringing the novellas to life. Even if you haven’t read them, you’ll appreciate Rebecca Ferguson’s starring role. The first two seasons are now complete on Apple TV+.
Foundation
The Genetic Dynasty rules the galaxy with a solid grip. When Hari Seldon, a brilliant mathematician, creates a branch of science called psychohistory, he proves that the Foundation will eventually fall. Of course, the ruler of this dynasty, a group of clones, collectively known as Cleon I, tries to squelch this nerdy scientist and his disciples. The result? A war that stretches across the galaxy.
Like Murderbot and Silo, I read the novel this show is based on, Isaac Asimov’s Foundation. Now, don’t hate me, but I read the first book in the Foundation series when I was pretty young. I found it boring, but I did finish it. With all due respect to Asimov, one of the best-known science fiction writers of the 20th century, books in the sci-fi category were developed differently back then. They were more plot-driven than character-driven. But I’m getting off track. The show is very different from the book I read. And that’s okay for me, but I’ve read that a lot of Foundation fans don’t like this. Now that I’m older, I plan to give the Foundation books another try.
But, back to the show. Lee Pace plays Brother Day and steals every scene he is in with his smarmy charisma and good looks. His character reminds me of Julian McMahon’s (RIP) character in Nip/Tuck: loveable and sexy on the outside, but dark and crisis-ridden on the inside. The same can be said by the mathematician played by Jarred Harris. Who is the hero in this show? Who is the villain? These two actors do an excellent job of keeping the audience guessing.
As can be expected, a show about a galactic war has a cast of thousands. Lots of fun characters playing science fiction tropes. I recommend approaching Foundation with an open mind and simply enjoying each episode.
If you haven’t watched the first two seasons of this show, now is a good time to catch up before the third season begins soon.
Severance
Employees of a large corporation, called Lumen, offer themselves to undergo a controversial procedure called ‘severance.’ While at work, they only remember their lives within the building, but once they leave the property, they resume their lives at home in the small town where Lumen resides. Neither their work selves nor their home selves remember or know anything about the other. The question is raised: have they become two different people?
To be honest, I felt that way for some of the big companies I’ve worked for over the years, even without a severance package. But enough smart-aleckiness. The premise behind this show raises some other questions: why would any employee want to undergo such a horrific experiment? And why is Lumen even doing these crazy things?
Unlike the other AppleTV+ shows I’ve reviewed in this blog entry, Severance is not based on any novel. I had heard some good things about it, so I gave it a shot. It was a little disorienting at first, but the show grew on me. The idea behind Severance could have been easily confusing to viewers. Still, the show’s producers and writers did a great job of making Severance make sense.
I have seen Adam Scott and Patricia Arquette in other shows, and I appreciate their performances in each episode of Severance. I also enjoyed the characters played by Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, John Turturro, and Tramell Tillman. Two seasons have been released for Severance, and the second one is even better than the first. That second season ends on a fantastic cliffhanger.
If you enjoy dark comedy, Severance has that and more, all in a nicely packaged format.
No, AppleTV+ isn’t paying me to review these shows, and I admit I didn’t want to pay for one more streaming service. In the end, Apple is churning out some great sci-fi, and for genre fans, these shows are well worth the subscription.
More reviews of my favorite SF & fantasy shows and movies.
Andrew M. Friday 
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