Humans - Episode 1.06 - Review : "We Become One"

After five tantalizingly tense episodes, Humans almost takes a subtle step back this episode, and focuses on the emotional beauty within and how that beauty shapes both Humans and Synths alike. The episode, as it neared its conclusion, stunned in the subtlest of ways - suggesting that we, Humans and Synths - can become one. Another highly successful episode for the series - the sixth episode showed us how electric the connection can be between two, whom are so similar - and how those connections could proceed to allow the co-evolution of both creations in the world today.

With the shock twist concluding last episode that Hobb was in fact, someone who wished for the more-than-Synth Synths to continue evolving and living in modern society, it seems the tables have now turned. With Fred using his capabilities to be on the run, Hobb is now the one chasing him again to persuade him he is for the good of humanity. Some of the lines here were so fragile and honest, further implying that Humans is an outstandingly unique show in its reputation to fascinate and inspire us to learn about the possibilities of the future. Once again, the writing on Humans is award-winning, and when the time comes, I'll be shocked if this doesn't pick up a few golden trophies.

Niska battling with her comforts as she warms to George was another tender step to the relationship that could occur between Humans and Synths, whilst there were currents of tension underlying these scenes, I'm almost glad they decided to make this episode more about this key development and how this could mould the future for generations to come. Planning for the show must have been crucial in the elegant production of each episode, the story is natural and pacing slight when it needs to be, for George's calm understanding balances upon Niska's child-like mentality, almost acting as George is a fatherly figure - teaching Niska, that, in fact, mostly all humans are not as evil as those she has encountered in her short, 9 year life. Some really, really interesting ideas about body language here too, and of course, more revelations about George's past, only making us care for his teachings more. Finally, Odi popping up again further questions his role in the show to come - will he have a place within Leo's group?

(Side Note - Emily Berrington (Niska) and William Hurt (George) continue to give staggering performances - actually, all the cast continue to shine in their equal ways.)

Karen Voss finally revealed her identity to Pete - but was it a wise move? This plot was largely unexpected when it was revealed, thus it's hard to give any detailed analysis, especially as it links to the other plots only vaguely - in terms of Voss isn't in the Synth group, yet is a Human-like-Synth, so the biggest secret remaining for the final two episodes is where she fits in regarding the group? Was she made by Hobb? Her further intrigue on Niska, whilst her confidence in revealing to Paul, may suggest she is for the good of these Synths. Let's hope so.

The Hawkins family really are quite a dramatic family aren't they, with Joe serving his punishment after his dirty scandals, the house is in reckoning and the children filled with scattered emotions. Humans works so well, because, it's all so very personal to each family anywhere - no, we may not all have a Father who cheated with a piece of technology, but we do all have arguments and secrets - and the integration of this 'parallel Synth world' doesn't let the producers get distracted over how a family would actually react. Laura's scenes with Mattie were, truly emotionally engaging (I'm sure many let the tears slide), and tied up all the thoughts of why this family were ever fractured.

This emotional fragility may have cryptically led to Mia waking from Anita's grasps, which obviously then made Leo wake from his dubious slumbers to decode and decipher how to bring Mia back A stand out during these scenes was Mattie - she had some witty lines and Lucy Carless(Mattie) showed off some flexible acting during this episode, having to portray many different emotions. As well as this, we began to understand more about Leo's past and where that drowning came from that has been hinted for weeks. For me, this was an absolutely incredible reveal - for I hadn't expected any of the information that was leaked, but I was still so interested in everything that was uncovered, especially how the group was created and that Anita was, in-fact, a Mother, rather than a girlfriend (Did anyone really expect that?). Whilst I am glad Mia is back from Anita, I'm sad we won't see anymore of Anita's sincere smiles or overly-long eye contact which made for hilariously tense television - but still, everything is happy, the Hawkins and the Synth Group have become one, rather than separated by their prejudices, and we can go and meet the others? Right? Right?!

Well, of course not.

Max's teasing observations when he looked over on the humanity that he saw could have been a foreshadowing of the death to come as he gazed over flowers and cards left for someone who had recently died. Whether Max's death is actually an end to the character, I'm not totally sure. Surely we need him to get the conclusion we all want? Or is he really gone, lost in the water? His sacrifice for Leo only further implicated his sense of Human awareness - how, in fact, he'd risk his life for someone to live and that his death was marked as both an end, and a beginning. Hope gone, a sense of dread rumbling - how will the group ever reconnect?

The sixth episode of Humans continued to represent its emotional and physical understanding within society today, with a beautiful, subtle step back, the show proceeds to removing its riddles and secrets, whilst deepening the wounds between each character - allowing the audience to really react when the tragic and unforgivably heartbreaking conclusion suggests death is so easy to come by - for anyone. But, with Humans and Synths now working hand in hand, is this a step forward in technology and human nature being together as one? The gaps between machine and man continue to dissolve...

What did you think of the sixth episode of Humans? Do you think Max is really dead? And where do you think Voss fits into the story? Please let me know in the comments below!

About the Author - Owen Bush

Owen likes to regard himself as a reviewer, photographer, graphical designer and obssessor over a large range of TV shows. He also takes large interest in acting and drama - so if you see him in a TV show in 2050, let him know. In The Flesh will always be dear to his heart.

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