Humans Heartbreakers and Heartwarmers
Ellie Patten| 04th August 2015
Photo Credit: Facebook
Series 1 of channel 4’s humans has come to an end, and what a series it was. Here, we look back at some of the most shocking and heart-breaking moments of the series. Naturally, this article is full of spoilers, so don’t read if you’re not prepared.
1. The Brothel
Easily one of the most disturbing and horrifying scenes of the series, in episode 2, Niska is presented with an elderly client who asks her to act like a frightened child. This is the final straw for Niska, and she kills the man, before moving on to take down the brothel’s receptionist, delivering the haunting line “everything they do to us, they want to do to you.”
2. Joe and Anita
Very few TV moments have evoked such a horrified response as this one. As if having sex with a synth isn’t weird enough, us viewers knew that Anita wasn’t just any synth, but a conscious one, trapped inside the mind of an obedient robot, who could do nothing but lie back and watch as the horror unfolded. It was in this moment that viewers truly lost all faith in Joe’s character, and even a little bit in mankind.
3. Max’s Sacrifice
Of course, if anyone was going to sacrifice themselves, it was going to be Max. The permanently smiling synth would do anything to protect Leo, even, it seems, throwing himself from a bridge whilst low on power, and falling into a fast-flowing river. While Max’s character isn’t the most fleshed-out in the series, this was a touching moment, giving us a glimpse into Max’s humanity and how much he really cared for his family. Thankfully, Max is later found and by the final episode, undergoes a complete recovery.
Photo credit: Facebook
4. Dr Millican’s Death
A bittersweet moment for everyone, no-one saw George Millican’s death coming. When he is shot by Karen, and Niska doesn’t stop to help him, it’s Odi who comes to comfort George in his dying moments, and tells him that his deceased wife “is in the next room”. Now if that’s not a heart-wrenching metaphor, then what is?
5. Karen’s Betrayal
Not once, but twice does Karen betray her family of synths. First, she convinces Leo to trust her, only to lead Hobb straight to him and his family. Then, in the final episode she betrays them as they join together to find the code for making more synths “like them”. Luckily, Anita convinces her not to kill her family, and she eventually helps them to unlock the code and save Max, meaning that the synths are safe…until next series.
Photo credit: Facebook
And the moments that could warm even a synth’s circuitry…
1. Niska and Sophie
Although Niska initially disregards Sophie’s idea of playing with dolls as stupid, she soon warms to the little girl and we even see a rare smile upon Niska’s face. This scene is a testament to the best of human (and I suppose, artificially intelligent synth) nature. Even after all that Niska has gone through, all the abuse she has suffered and the mistrust she harbours as a result, there is still a part of her that is kind, caring and can break a smile even under dire circumstances. With season 2 confirmed, we will undoubtedly see more of Niska’s complex nature in the future.
2. Pete's Acceptance
In the final episode, we see Pete finally overcome his prejudices against the synths and accept Karen for who she is. Although he still seems a little uneasy about the whole thing, his character has undergone a huge transformation, from the moody, unaccepting detective, to a much more open-minded and accepting man. In this one scene, we see some of the best in human nature, and even after all the horrible crimes committed by the humans throughout the series, we’re left with a glimmer of hope and the feeling that maybe, humans aren’t so bad after all.