Androids Have Feelings Too, Almost Human “Skin” 

Is it so bad to want to be remembered? To prove that you existed? Dorian’s model was discontinued because of its “emotional” problems; that model’s ability to empathize was determined to be a design flaw. Why have a computer or artificial being that can feel anything? When Kennex and Dorian discover that someone is making sex bots that contain human DNA, they know they have to shut it down. Not only is it illegal, but they can’t figure out how it’s possible. How are the scientists harvesting the DNA from real women?

The case: Sebastian Jones was a high-end sex trade bot maker. He had 23 patents to his name and was an inventor and pioneer in his field. But he went bankrupt and had all his merchandise seized. But why would that make someone want to kill him? Why would he be on a “date” with something he created? He was an artist and wanted to create the next big thing in sex bots. He sank all of his and his partner’s cash into new tech, but it backfired on them when their biggest client – the Albanians – canceled their contracts. Sebastian and his partner Lorenzo Shaw were considered “middlemen” and taken out of the equation. And when Sebastian discovers that the Albanians sex bots have human skin, he must be killed. When it looks like they won’t find the skin lab, Dorian figures out a way to find it. When his model is “born” or activated it gives off a GPS signal. All they have to do is determine when Vanessa was born and they’ll have the location of the lab.

Why are these bots different? The sex bots with human DNA are like Dorian; they have an empathy chip. They can connect with humans on a deeper level, but the side effect is that this bot can also miss someone. Vanessa asks where Charlene is because she hasn’t seen her recently. And she wants to know where she was born. There are certain questions she’s not programmed to understand like “where were you made” or “who owns you?” And because she’s illegal and must be destroyed, Dorian goes to watch Vanessa “die.” He tells her she’s going to a better place. He’ll remember her.

This episode got to me on a few levels. I like that despite (or because of) all this new technology in the future it’s easy to forget about emotions. Do we all need love? Even androids? Dorian is worried enough about Kennex that he creates an online dating profile for him. He’s scanned his body and found his testicles at full capacity. Maybe it’s time to start dating again. And when Kennex describes the kind of woman he’d like to date, of course he describes Det. Stahl. No surprise there.  I think we all saw that coming. And the scene where Rudy is basically pulling the bot apart right in front of Dorian ? So uncomfortable. He knows he’s an android, but to be confronted with his own mortality has got to be tough. Dorian wants to make it seem as though he’s not affected, but he clearly is. Kennex joked about Dorian getting a girlfriend, but I wonder. Is that something he even wants? Does he want that sort of connection?

Best line:

Kennex: “Don’t scan my testicles ever again.”

Cool Gadgets of the future

DNA Bomb – It’s exactly what is sounds like. It’s a device that compromises any and all DNA left behind at the scene of a crime.

Absorption round, third generation – a bullet that doesn’t make a sound when fired. The sign of a pro.

Flash mask – obscures someone’s face on a screen, but in person you can still see them.

Animal toys that animate. So cool. Where can I get one?

Almost Human airs Mondays at 8/7c on Fox.