With last week's chilling finale, Humans left me waiting day by day to see what's next. It certainly did not disappoint! In this phenomenal episode written by Daisy Coulam and directed by Ben A. Williams, we discover the true extent of Anatole's plans.
One thing I always give credit to the show for is how real it is. Despite it being set in an alternate reality where robots are conscious, Humans delivers a rawness that is all too rare for television. The characters are often put in situations that many of us might find familiar. We see a mom struggling to connect with her kids. We see all these people and Synths alike just trying to find a place in the world. We see a side of these characters we've fallen in love with that we wish hadn't come to light. Realistic situations with realistic reactions — that's part of what makes Humans such an amazing show. Yet, I was still shocked when the pregnancy storyline was thrown into the mix.
On the side, I just want to point out that none of the Hawkinses seems to know that these two are together. How is the family going to react when they find out not only about the blooming romance, but also the fact that they're having a baby? It probably won't be a priority to care too much, given everything else that's going on, but it's still a comical thought. Also, with Mattie's friend, Audrey, snooping around, the baby's future does not seem too promising.
Niska finds herself at a bar in her search. She comes across an awkward, but kind, man who rambles on about how he thinks Synths deserve rights. After seeing so many nasty humans (apart from the Hawkins family) the past few episodes, it's a bit of a breath of fresh air. Not all humans are bad (I think)! There, she meets a man who claims he can take her to the Synth Who Sleeps. There's no knowing as of now if the man was telling the truth about the Synth Who Sleeps being from a research facility, but there's an interesting thought there. Last time we saw Fred, he was left to be taken by some researchers. It could also have something to do with Athena Morrow and her studies. Perhaps it is something entirely new, though I believe that the writers wouldn't build so much anticipation over something that isn't meant to be too shocking.
Agnes heads over to the Day Zero Memorial to honour her part of the plan. Perhaps it is seeing the humans grieve over their kind just as she grieves about her own, but Agnes warns a girl to leave the area. It's almost as if she actually cares about human lives! Back at the Dryden Commission, Stanley shows his own hesitation. It's also time for Max to find out the truth about Anatole. I have to say, I felt some joy in him being found out. No more manipulation!
Niska continues on with her journey, which leads her to an eery shipping container which is said to contain the Synth Who Sleeps. Instead, it contains a ripped apart Synth who spends the last of her energy to warn everyone about the dangers inside. Cue epic fight scene! We don't get those too often, yet this was the second one this ep!
It takes only a brief few seconds for the Dryden Commission to see the smoke outside, and immediately get that it's Synth terrorism. And with that, Basswood is activated. Uh oh.
Stanley may have spared the Dryden Commission, but it comes with a price: Laura's family is now in danger. It's a rush back to the Hawkins home to keep everyone safe. For a minute, it seems like they got there in time, but as they're rushing to the door, Anatole makes his sudden appearance...and with an unwilling guest.
Remember that raw and real aspect of Humans I mentioned earlier? "Realistic situations with realistic reactions?" That comes back in full force during the scene where Laura is forced to choose between the old man and Sam's lives. In a heartbreaking moment, we find out that Laura puts the lives of humans over Synths. It was an impossible choice with no right answer, yet I couldn't help but feel a little betrayed when she said Sam's name — the same Sam who vowed to protect her just moments before. Her family evidently felt betrayed as well.
Niska, on the run from the humans trying to harvest her parts, gets picked up by that awkward guy at the bar. He claims that he knows the Synth Who Sleeps (for real, this time). She portrays a rare show of faith when she turns herself off in the presence of this near-stranger. Considering that she has every reason to distrust the humans in the area after her recent incident, it's obvious that this is how much trust she places in the Synth Who Sleeps. Now, that meeting is something that I look forward to in the episodes to come!
After my second rewatch (it was just too much to process in one go!), I can say with certainty that this is my favourite episode to date. It was more intense than I ever would have thought, and to be quite honest, I still have goosebumps. I have to applaud everyone that worked on that episode; they did a phenomenal job in breaking the viewers' hearts.
What did you think of this episode of Humans? Do you think Laura made the right choice? Who do you think is the Synth Who Sleeps? And what exactly is Basswood? Let me know in the comments below!
