And it was finally looking up for our awkwardly contrasting families... The seventh episode of Humans is, yet again, one of high standard and melodramatic intrigue that leaves you either biting your nails in frustration or feeling your eyes wobble in emotion - and it was a bit of both this week. With subtle theatrical tricks that support it's philosophical nature, the show is deceptive in it's techniques to show themes that are only vaguely interpreted in many shows, such as what home really means, and why trust is such a fragile and meticulous within culture, as shown as the connection just continues to fail between relationships, both Human and Synth alike.
Ahh! After weeks of mystery, we finally know how and why Karen Voss fits into this maze of persistently interesting concepts, and within the first 5 minutes? Geez, you'd think the writers had read our
comments last week - of course, that wouldn't make sense because they wrote the episode long before I wrote my review, but don't deny our spectacular thoughts. Karen being a mission by Elster gone critically wrong was a reveal that made complete sense, and yet, I never imagined that this would be the outcome for the character. Hidden, in this episode specifically, are tiny, insidious moments that are so ambiguously suggested, such as the fact that Voss became so manipulative in her actions due to her rejection that it drove her to insanity - almost implying that her rejection by Pete, reminded her of the banishment from her own kind, sparking the irresponsible and treacherous actions that would soon follow to a foreboding and deadly conclusion (but more on that later).
The Hawkins family really aren't your average English family right now are they, however, even with their quirky technology, they still are abnormally empathetic and relatable. (
Side Note - that terrible awkward double-family breakfast situation was a glamorous comedic step away from all the pessimism occurring). Furthermore, the Human-Synth interaction that mounted throughout the episode, possibly indicated the connection between them that was possible, in a desperate attempt of the writers to show hope for the future, however, of course, that all came down to honesty in the end - something that fell short within Joe's capabilities. Specifically, Anita + Laura's and Niska + Sophie's connections were especially touching as well as spellbinding with their emotive complexity, Anita, after her roller-coaster time with the Hawkins family, allowed to make comments on what human family life is like (and some detailed comparisons here suggested they're not too different from Synth families). Furthermore, as Niska battled her fear of humans, she, like Sophie, began to understand the world more as she came into it - a frightening and terrible place it can be, as we know, and it only once again showed Humans ease with conveying deep and contemplative themes.
Elsewhere, we see the end of another glorious character, unfortunately, this one doesn't have super rebooting skills or code to be hacked with - which is slightly disappointing. My attempt at trying to be funny aside, it really was a shock as both George and Odi (and let's not forget Vera) bit the dust as Voss (or Beatrice, not really sure anymore) went on her menacing rampage against those whom she thought had betrayed her. Humans, although working with a slightly smaller characters (kinda) death last week, continues to really pour the sense of dread at character's deaths, which really is an art in itself. As well as this, characters don't just die for the need to have a climatic response from the audience, but rather, for a reason, to signify that death is so planned in it's execution. Throughout a mere seven episodes, compared to seasons and seasons for some series', Humans delicately has warmed us to it's characters through sophisticated and understated quirks in their personalities. A massive applause for William Hurt (George Millican) as well, his work continues to stun me. (
Side Note - Congratulations to whomever decided to write Odi's lines this week as you managed to literally make my heart rip out my chest, good on you!)
Whilst mayhem continues to unravel in every direction, for me, the centre of this episodes plot was that of connecting Max back to reality. You know, I had a bugging feeling last week that it wouldn't be the last we saw of Max, for his naivety and honesty allowed him to just continue to make us root for the Synths, and well, here he is (nearly) -
Why am I not writing for this show yet? Once again, it seemed like the connection between humans and Synths were making a technological breakthrough, as they worked to solve Max's failures, with death once again being for a plot-developing reason rather than dramatic effect. "Your family are looking after you" - another key message this week, about family and home, and what that means for any species. Does it need saying again? Which other shows on TV right now go into this much depth with such fascinatingly diverse and complicated ideas, the only one I've ever seen cover as many themes as this is In The Flesh - which, if you're a fan of Humans, I'm sure you'd enjoy In The Flesh's smart moral context. Following this, Humans, very interestingly, tested the dynamic between the families as Max was proceeding to life again, for example, as Joe, Fred and Toby play a game of football, we see Joe test the normality of his life against the abnormality that he suggests is what a Synth family is like and once again, the similarities are bold.
Humans shows this massive sense of "coming together as one" as well as forgiveness, within such a ordinary situation - balancing the subtle undertones of some major topics with the familiarity of a game of football.
Just before that jaw-dropping finale, the connection that we had been building throughout the episode between humans and Synths well and
truly fails, as truth and honesty is the most important thing that needs to be stable during a relationship, and that was lost in the fragmented distortions going on inside Joe and Leo's minds. These parallels are especially significant in this episode, for example : Niska and Sophie, Leo and Joe and Anita and Laura are the key ones that stood out to suggest something more than just similar personalities, but a sense of a shared amount of awareness and knowledge for certain situations. These families are more affiliated that what we may have thought originally.
Finally, let's talk about that snappy, punchy and most certainly spectacular slow motion conclusion. This may have been the best moment ever for me in the series so far - not because I was happy they all got raided, but because it was so stylized with the intrigue being just at the right level for the audience, to be screaming for more. Also, whilst Colin Morgan hasn't shined as my favourite actor in the series so far, his emotional breakdown here was tragically honest and brutal to watch - a child, whom, reaches for his dead mother again, is lost in the manic that is betrayal. Slow motion really fuels the adrenaline when used right, and this was the perfect moment.
Primed for a sensational series finale,
Humans continues to delve deep into social and moral themes whilst perfectly adding the severe sense of dread and uncompromising intensity. Brilliantly structured, every tie seems to be woven into a glorious mess of intelligence and sophistication, whilst the mystery still roams beneath in subtle gestures (such as, what was up with Fred?). As we fly into the series finale, Humans baffles me to why it hasn't been confirmed for another series, and Channel 4/AMC should (pretty please) hurry up with that confirmation.
What did you think of the seventh episode of
Humans? What do you think was up with Fred? And how do you think this season will conclude?
Please tell me all your thoughts 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.
