‘Almost Human’ Mid-Season Premiere: All Fun, No Heart

[This is a review forAlmost Humanseason 1, episode 7. It contains SPOILERS.]

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Almost Human was one of the last new shows to premiere in the fall, so its only fitting that its one of the first back (for the next two weeks, at least). In its comeback episode, Dorian (Michael Ealy) finds a new home, and Kennex (Karl Urban) learns to keep his most important electronic device charged.

This weeks episode, Simon Says, written by series producer (and mid-season finale scribe) Alison Schapker, pits Kennex and Dorian against a faceless nemesis who uses live streaming remote explosives and a deadly game to systematically kill those who once wronged him. When a victim is saved and the killers identity is revealed, Kennex is forced to stare death in the face, alone, while Dorian finally understands humanitys annoyance with low battery warnings.

Simon Says is not one of the missing episodes still yet to air, nor is it an explanation-filled adventure that helps us better understand the mysteriously missing storyline involving Kennexs ex-girlfriend, yet its still an exciting return for one of Foxs strongest shows. Though this weeks episode is pointed more toward helping viewers discover and enjoy the show in the new year, those who pay close attention will notice a nod to the ex-girlfriend storyline perhaps a hint at whats to come next week when Almost Human finally airs its second episode made, You are here, which was replaced with the fifth episode, Skin, during the two-night series premiere event.

Aside from the questions and/or qualms about the overall series story which is understandable given televisions comfort in mysteries that go nowhere this weeks episode builds up the already strong bond between Kennex and Dorian even more by allowing Ealy to step out from behind his robot character and combat Urbans gruff demeanor with even more playfulness, which allows Kennex to lower his guard and befriend his synthetic partner even more in his time of need.

Now 7 episodes in 9, including the 2 missing episodes and Almost Human is still keeping up its end of the bargain, as far as future-themed devices are concerned. Yet still, with all of the impressive technology, visual effects and witty banter presented to audiences, theres one big thing thats missing, and its beginning to show: its heart.

Each episode puts Kennex and Dorian front and center for whatever the case is on-hand, and the series masterfully wraps the tale even its smallest parts around the two, which allows them (or whoever the focus of the episode is) to fully inhabit the futuristic setting which has been painstakingly (in terms of time and money) established over and over again in each new episode; however, with Dorians lack of true emotion and Kennexs inability to convey his, whatever exciting thrilling, even story thats put before the viewer is more or less a twist on familiar video game tropes. The journey including any middle bosses or princess saving serves one purpose only: to get the boss battle at the end.

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‘Almost Human’ Mid-Season Premiere: All Fun, No Heart