Series 1, Episode 6 (Humans)
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"Episode 6" is the sixth episode of the first series of ''
Humans Humans (''Homo sapiens'') or modern humans are the most common and widespread species of primate, and the last surviving species of the genus ''Homo''. They are Hominidae, great apes characterized by their Prehistory of nakedness and clothing ...
'', a show based on ''
Real Humans ''Real Humans'' () is a 2012 Swedish television, Swedish science fiction/drama series set in an alternative near-future version of Sweden where consumer-level android (robot), humanoid robot workers and servants are widespread. The series follow ...
'' and co-produced by
Channel 4 Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation. It is state-owned enterprise, publicly owned but, unlike the BBC, it receives no public funding and is funded en ...
and
AMC AMC may refer to: Film and television * AMC Theatres, an American movie theater chain * AMC Networks, an American entertainment company ** AMC (TV channel) ** AMC+, streaming service ** AMC Networks International, an entertainment company *** ...
. It aired in the UK on 19 July 2015, and was watched by 3.926 million viewers; it aired on 2 August 2015 in the US to 1.03 million households. The episode received positive reviews.


Plot

Edwin tells Fred he has found out about the program David left in the group of conscious synths; Fred escapes. Niska is hiding out at George's with a broken Odi. Laura reveals to Mattie that Tom is not someone she is having an affair with, but her late younger brother whose fatal childhood accident was blamed on her by her mother. Jill and Simon's relationship turns sexual (although this scene was not broadcast on AMC). Pete and Karen have sex, too, after which Karen reveals to Pete she is really a synth and he runs away. On their way, Anita lets out a huge gasp for breath causing Laura to veer off course. Mia briefly gains consciousness again and gives Mattie a hint how to recover her from Anita. She tells Laura that she too lost somebody important to her; her adopted son, before Anita regains full control, causing Mia's personality to become dormant again. Mattie finds Leo who reveals his past: Mia, the first ever synth built, was created by David as Leo's nanny and adopted mother when Leo's real mother fell mentally-ill and was sectioned. Then David created three more synths, Max, Fred, and Niska. At age 12, when Leo's mother escaped from the ward and drowned them both, Mia rescued him too late from the lake. David brought him back to life by adding synth technology to his brain and body. Eventually, David chased all of them away and committed suicide. Joe reconciles with Laura when Leo and Max arrive with the Hawkins children. Leo is able to restore Mia and then leaves with Max to meet Fred, but Joe calls authorities on them. Cornered by Edwin and police, Max, low on power, sacrifices himself to help Leo escape.


Reception


Ratings

Airing in the UK on 19 July 2015, the episode received 3.926 million viewers on Channel 4 and 0.387 million viewers on its timeshift service. It was the most watched programme on Channel 4 that week, and the second-most watched on Channel 4 +1. In the US on 2 August 2015, the episode was viewed by 1.03 million households.


Reviews

Brandon Nowalk of ''
The A.V. Club ''The A.V. Club'' is an online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was created in ...
'' gave the episode an A−, describing the "tragedy of the Elster kids" as the "real heart of the episode"; Nowalk "teared up" when Leo brought Mia to the surface, saying that it was "an exciting payoff to a story that hasn't been that compelling until this episode". Matt Fowler of
IGN ''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa district and is headed by its former e ...
rated the episode 8.4 out of 10 and opined that it was "the best episode of Humans to date". Fowler complimented the episode's "staggering amount of answers" and the "sad, pivotal death" of Max; however, he criticised Joe, who he claimed had gone from "complicated to cliche", and Toby, who was described as a "shaky character". Paul Dailly of ''TV Fanatic'' said that ''Humans'' "is really playing with our emotions", called Joe a "complete idiot" and said Max was "a really interesting character". Neela Debnath of ''
Express Express, The Expresss or EXPRESS may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Film * ''Express: Aisle to Glory'', a 1998 comedy short film featuring Kal Penn * ''The Express: The Ernie Davis Story'', a 2008 film starring Dennis Quaid * The Expre ...
'' wrote "Episode six moves away from being a psychological thriller and a debate about artificial intelligence becomes more of a human drama" and described Max's bridge scene as an "unexpected tear-jerker", "devastating" and "nothing less than upsetting", as Max was "the only likeable character". Kyle Fowle of ''
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American online magazine, digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, ...
'' said that the reunion of Mia, Leo and Max was "genuinely touching" and that Max sacrificing himself was "a beautiful moment". Hannah Verdier of ''
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
'' said "there are plenty of hocksthis week", describing Anita's change of persona as "skillful and chilling".


References


External links


Episode 6
on AMC's official website
Episode Guide for ''Humans''
on Channel 4's official website * {{Humans (TV series) Humans (TV series) episodes 2015 British television episodes Television episodes about androids