merrimacga Reviews

Leverage: The White Rabbit Job (2012) Season 5, Episode 12

Parker is The White Rabbit...and also Alice

[8/10 · 6 November 2021]

The White Rabbit Job is an odd little con. The team, mirroring our own doubts and misgivings, repeatedly feels they can't pull this one off...that is not until the end during Sophie's dialogue. But if you think about it, the whole episode is a misdirect and I think that while Sophie, at the end, is disappointed that yet again she herself failed to pull off the white rabbit for the intended mark, she is both admitting that Parker did pull off the con and also that Parker was instead the real mark and the team's con succeeded, albeit not the way intended.

Everyone likes to talk about all the Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland references but a couple possibilities don't get mentioned. One is that in the scene where Dodgson is following Parker but keeps not quite catching up to her, is a little reminiscent of Alice chasing the White Rabbit, to me an obvious allusion to Parker being the White Rabbit and that in itself an allusion to Parker pulling off the con. Second is that Parker IS Alice, the little girl lost who is just now after 5 years on the team figuring herself out and becoming who she can be...she has fallen down the rabbit hole and the characters she has become closest to have shown her new ways to look at things. She has grown but needs to grow some more and the con succeeds as it enlightens her further about herself so she can help Dodgson the same way. When Dodgson has finally been cured at the end, it is Parker who witnesses it because she pulled off the con. And when the team discusses the success of the con, it is without Parker, who, when she shows up, is oblivious to that discussion and seemingly the fact that the con did as much for her as it did the mark.

While I don't know if that's what the show's cast and crew intended, it seems clear it is a multi-layered story, not the straightforward con pulled on a not-so-bad mark it appears to be. I have watched this episode a number of times and feel certain this is just the tip of the iceberg. I will have to watch it at least a few more times to pick up on more of its nuances. Those who have only watched it from the most obvious perspective may want to watch it again and look for what they missed the last time.

To quote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland:

"Who are you?" said the Caterpillar.

Alice replied, rather shyly, "I-I hardly know, Sir, just at present-at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."

"What do you mean by that?" said the Caterpillar, sternly. "Explain yourself!"

"I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, Sir," said Alice, "because I am not myself, you see."

Leverage: Redemption: The Too Many Rembrandts Job (2021) Season 1, Episode 1

We provide...Leverage.

[9/10 · 10 July 2021]

Soooo good to have the team back together again! Broke my heart to see Sophie's pain and to know Nate is gone but they did a great job of honoring his memory. You can feel his presence as much as his absence. Parker's just as crazy, Hardison just as much of a geek and Eliot as much heart as hitter as ever. Noah Wyle completes the team and I loved him in The Librarian movies and series but my jury is out on his character here. Some interesting and ironic interaction between him and Christian, given their history, but he has a different style and a lot to prove. Sophie is a good choice as team leader but she needs to grow into the part. She's trying to be the old Sophie, fill Nate's shoes, mourn his loss and be out of practice getting back in the swing of things all at the same time. I get the impression the cast and crew really didn't want to replace Tim Hutton so the effort to do so feels a little half-hearted. I understand Aldis Hodge couldn't be in all the episodes. Not sure how I feel about the girl filling in for his absences in later episodes. But Leverage had a really good ending and it has been a few years so this new series needs to be a little different. And I'm so jazzed to have most of the cast and crew back together that what minor flaws exist I can easily forgive or overlook. Hopefully all the other viewers will too.

On a side note, I love that Christian has long hair again. Missed that when he was in The Librarians. :-)

Elementary: Their Last Bow (2019) Season 7, Episode 13

An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes

[9/10 · 17 August 2019]

As many of you likely realize, this review title is the same as the latter part of the later title of His Last Bow, which was, chronologically, the last of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. Considering the Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes, though it occurred earlier, continued Holmes' adventures and was published later, I thought the review title appropriate.

Their Last Bow is Elementary's finale but the ending, in fact the whole episode, indicates the adventures will continue, though we may not get to see it. Presumably, Holmes and Watson will get their old consultant positions back, reporting to Bell instead of Gregson. And Moriarty and McNally are both still around to create havoc and fodder for more cases, not that NYC isn't capable of doing so all by itself. With the preponderance of evidence in the world of TV today, the door is left wide open for a reboot or a TV movie or two at some point in the future. Or at least more novelizations.

For now, though, this is the end and it wraps things up nicely, just in case there is never anything further. Holmes not only lives but is still doing what he loves most taking criminals out of action...and apparently every important person not only knows it but is fine with it. Gregson lives to enjoy retirement, even though Paige is gone. Bell is Captain at the precinct now and is married and a father. Watson did finally adopt, a son, and has beaten cancer. And she also finally published her book on their adventures (remember she started it in season 2 episode 3). Even the bees are still on the roof of the building, well looked after by Watson in Holmes' absence. Reichenbach is gone for good...Holmes' return won't change that. And with no more family issues, and presumably neither Moriarty nor McNally willing to intervene either, there seems to no longer be anything standing in the way of Holmes and Watson working and living in New York at the old brownstone and being happy together forever.

And for Conan Doyle fans there are some clever moments, like the title of Watson's book (though spelled without the hyphen) and Holmes' aliases Altamont in Florence, which was Holmes' alias in His Last Bow, and Sigerson in Norway, which was one of Holmes' aliases in between Reichenbach Falls and The Adventure of the Empty House, which in turn not only depicted the return of Holmes but was also the origin of the card-playing Ronald Adair character. I'm reasonably certain Watson's son's name, Arthur, is a nod to Conan Doyle himself.

Of course, there are still some loose ends, notably the will they or won't they question for the shippers out there. But we don't really need confirmation of a romance...some of us would rather they remain platonic and what we've been given should satisfy all. There are no remaining questions for which we can't live without the answers.

However, it would have been nice to see Jamie Moriarty on screen one more time. Perhaps the only thing I really missed in the episode.

All in all, the Elementary team has given us a very satisfying end to the series. Though I, like many others, hope for more at a later date, I think we can all be happy with where they left it.

Murdoch Mysteries: Sir. Sir? Sir!!! (2018) Season 12, Episode 6

Wake up George!

[6/10 · 5 May 2019]

I agree with others about this episode. It's obvious it's not canon but completely separate and meant to be an homage to several science fiction productions of the past. In that regard, it's a rather fine and clever episode. And I can accept that and would have enjoyed it more if the episode had been complete. But it's not and that's why I gave it a very low rating. The episode literally screams for it to end with George waking up Halloween night having fallen asleep reading something like H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" (1898) or "In the Days of the Comet" (1906) and his nightmare giving him the idea for his next novel, which could have then been followed up on in later episodes. Or they could have kept the episode as is with a cliffhanger ending and had George mention in the next episode or a later one in season 12 about his horrible Halloween nightmare, again having it become his next novel, perhaps in season 13. But they've wasted the opportunity, as it is too late now to take advantage of it. Which is unfortunate, as it is otherwise a good standalone episode, if rather a bit weird for and not quite in keeping with the show.

The Orville: Identity, Part II (2019) Season 2, Episode 9

From jaw drop to thrill ride

[10/10 · 2 March 2019]

Well, my review of part 1 is certainly still relevant. And I am sticking with my 10 rating for it and giving this one as well.

This will be another long review, folks.

How about that e-p-i-c battle? Was that one of the best ever in sci-fi on TV? I can think of only a few that rank up there with it. Although I had a bit of CGI overload afterwards and it was a bit dizzying. Stop the ride...I want to get off.

Returning to Earth for a moment, part 2 didn't disappoint. MacFarlane and team landed about halfway between my two polar opposite expectations. The crisis resolution wasn't the cheesy one I kind of hoped for nor was it the cheat of the no-win scenario either. And they saved the day anyway, ending on a positive note that seems to foretell of an eventual new member of the Union after all, only it's more likely to be the Krill rather than the Kaylons.

My opposite expectation wasn't really disappointed either. There were moments I was on the edge of my seat...I'd have been biting my nails, if they were long enough to do so. And no, this time I'm not referring to the battle but rather to the airlock scene and others where specific people died or almost died. I say this not because it's noteworthy in general but rather that it is for this show.

I didn't say outright in my part 1 review but, as so many others had already pointed out, I knew it was a distinct possibility Isaac would save the day. But I really liked how they handled it. He didn't single-handedly save them, though his contribution was significant and at great personal expense. It was nice how it took a lot for him to change sides - even with that blank stare of his, you could tell how hard it was for him. And it was so fitting that what finally did it for him was when he was ordered to kill Ty. Maybe Ty was right about Isaac. Maybe there really are some robot variation emotions building in him.

Speaking of, that Ty sure is one smart, gutsy kid and adorable too. He's getting the screen time of Wesley Crusher without all the character hate or boy genius attributes. I was not one of the Wes haters by the way - I loved the character but even I have to admit he was rather overused. Let's hope The Orville doesn't make the same mistake with Ty.

Wasn't it awesome that Yaphit got to show off a bit? Being a CGI character and considering all the costs involved, Yaphit doesn't get a lot of screen time...a very underused character. So it is especially rewarding how much he contributed here.

One character I won't miss, though, is the Kaylon Primary. But, while I no longer think the Kaylons will put a damper on the rest of the season, let alone the next if there is one, all indications are the Primary was far from the only Kaylon remaining from the genocide of their builders. For machines incapable of emotions, they do seem to fear a lot. And with that large a chip, pardon the pun, on their shoulders, we haven't seen the last of them, though I am hoping there are more than enough next gens like Isaac to wrest control and change the species for the better. Besides the Kaylons are WAY cool visually. And I for one would like to see more of them. But without all the death, doom and destruction, please. Let's just hope the Union can get over the betrayal and their own stupidity to be cautiously receptive should the Kaylons want, and really mean it next time, to try again to become members again.

I'm still not so sure about the Krill though. Yeah, they came to the rescue, albeit because it was in their own best interest and supposedly the will of their god. But their religion has not only become a punchline, which is a shame however comedic the intention, it is also likely to keep them at odds with humanity. Although the Union is made up of many species and appears to love that diversity, the humans have repeatedly shown a lack of respect for, if not outright dislike of, some of the cultural differences (e.g. the Moclans and their gender issues). And while the people of Earth may no longer be enslaving others, the Kaylons weren't entirely wrong about humanity either. It's kept them away until now and it's likely to keep the Krill distant as well. I mentioned before that this bright and cheery world is one we might all want to live in but, like every civilization, fictional or real, there is a seedy underbelly with lots more room for improvement in everyone, the humans and the Krill included.

Still, having a common enemy should help foster diplomatic discussions and keep the Krill around for awhile.

One other thing I want to circle back to is the educational value of the episode. I said it would be thought-provoking and that we could all learn something from it. And The Orville delivered, if rather heavy-handedly. It was obvious they were mirroring the real world discussions about AI and lessons to be learned before we create such a species in reality. It may not happen in our lifetimes but it is likely to someday and hopefully long before that the ideals that should be applied will be so ingrained in our psyches and our society that we will avoid doing to our creations that which happened to the Kaylons.

But The Orville wasn't just talking about AI. They were talking our treatment of each other as well, especially those who are different. Unfortunately, as usual for the show, the lesson does fall a little flat since it continues be as irreverent and politically incorrect in its attempts at humor and comedic relief as it does to be relevant and instructive.

Ultimately, Identity fits in well with the rest of the series as a whole, even as it stepped things up a notch, especially for viewers who love conflict and tension. In order to enjoy it and get something from it, it is necessary for the viewer to assess the comedy and the drama separately. And then forgive it when the humor isn't quite appropriate or isn't present enough for viewer satisfaction. This season, at least, the drama has the front seat and it's not really sharing. And that's okay as long as it delivers, which it did with this story.

The Orville: Identity (2019) Season 2, Episode 8

The monsters we fear and hide from

[10/10 · 24 February 2019]

First let me apologize because this is going to be long. Brevity is not something I'm known for, including those rare instances I write a review.

I gave this episode a 10...only the second time I have done so for an Orville episode...but I'm still debating whether it should really be a 9.

Obviously, part 2 is going to affect my judgment of this episode. And also, as so many have already pointed out with both this and other Orville episodes, there are sufficient plot holes and copied plot devices to not give this a 10. But the real reason for my hesitation is that, aside from part 1 being an homage to other sci-fi shows, it deviates in so many ways from everything this show has tried to be. Even when the show has been at its darkest before now, there has always been plenty of hope and positivity. Neither the religiously militaristic Krill nor the gender-phobic Moclans have dampened that. The future looked bright and cheerful, a world in which we all might want to live, even if at times it has been a bit too anachronistic, nostalgic, incredulous and downright over-the-top.

Not anymore. Granted, it is just past mid-season and with 5 more episodes due out after part 2, this is not the end. But depending on how well, or not so well, MacFarlane and his team handle the rest of the current story, the whole tone of the show could be changing radically.

The optimistic side of me wants to believe there will be a cheesy, simplistic, possibly Kobayashi Maru, solution presented that will have everything bright and cheery again by the end of part 2. It is what I would expect for what the show has been. In less than a week, we'll all find out and this review could very well be completely irrelevant.

But the side of me that loves good storytelling that makes sense and has great tension and suspense, as well as that unfortunate and hideous part of me that loves a great conflict, found this to be a great - and rather shocking if not altogether unexpected - episode and is anticipating a long, drawn out and painful resolution that will blanket the rest of the season and indelibly affect season 3, if there is one.

That's the same side of me that really enjoyed the Klingons and the Romulans in Star Trek, the Cylons and Baltar on both Battlestar Galacticas, the Borg on ST:TNG and ST:Voyager, and the Goa'uld, the Replicators and the Ori in Stargate, amongst others. And I'm betting many, if not most, other positive reviewers of this episode feel something similar.

Funny enough, or perhaps not so funny, while our love of conflict will make so many love this episode, it is humanity's empathy and sympathy and blind love and faith in others that becomes the tool of its potential destruction at the hands of the Kaylons, who seem to be behaving more like humans in the real world today. These are not your Asimov robots and it seems Isaac isn't The Orville's answer to ST:TNG's Data after all. The Kaylons are only looking out for themselves and their logic dictates that their course of action is not only right but is also the only solution. Despite their deception, humanity really should have seen something like this coming, since, through Isaac, the Kaylons have always brutally and honestly presented themselves as superior in every way.

Interestingly, one review I read suggested the name Kaylon may have been intended as a play on the word Cylon, making them out to be like the Battlestar Galactica villains. However, I have always thought it sounded more like Kazon, the antagonists from the first two seasons of ST:Voyager. Not because of any particular similarities between the two species before now, though this episode seems to be demonstrating a few.

I did also find it interesting - perhaps even telling - that nice touch of all the Kaylon eyes being red, except Isaac's, which are white throughout the series and the episode. Sure, it could just be so we can tell the difference between Isaac and the rest of his "people". Or is there more to it than just that? Hmm...

But I digress.

One thing sci-fi films and TV have presented us over the decades many, many times, often repetitiously the same, is the concept of artificial life, not only the possibility of it and how it might become reality but also humanity's use of and reaction to it, as well as its reaction to us. I mentioned a few such shows above.

In this, The Orville is far from any originality. In fact, I wrote a review last year of the season 11 episode of The X-Files called "Rm9sbG93ZXJz" in which I also mentioned the Doctor Who episode "Smile". I could draw a few of the same parallels here with this episode as I did in that review, especially the potential for our creations being capable of destroying us and choosing to do so. Like the Cylons. And the Replicators. And presumably now the Kaylons. And in all these instances, other ideas explored were how we use and react to and teach the A.I. and how it reacts to and what it learns from us. As humanity in reality comes closer to inventing an artificial species, we may become bored with such dramatizations but they will always be relevant, increasingly so the closer we get to achievement.

Also, in that X-Files review, I discussed the technology we create and our dependence on it and how we can become controlled by it. Another familiar and relevant, if tiresome topic, including in this Orville episode.

But you see WE are the real monsters we fear and hide from. They aren't under the bed or in our nightmares. They aren't aliens or evil government or cyborgs or androids or robots or even those we love and trust and work with whom perhaps we shouldn't. We are the monsters because we're always daring to say and think and do that which perhaps we shouldn't, without fully considering the potential consequences or outcomes. Don't get me wrong...I think it is good that we do the things we do because if we feared all repercussions all the time, we would never do anything and we would probably die out as a species anyway. What makes us our own monsters is that we hide from and ignore that which should be obvious to us, instead of facing things and dealing with situations head on and in full awareness, causing us to create our own obstacles and problems or making them worse than they need be.

For the crew of The Orville, if you look back on the series and really think about it, there were warning signs and indications all along that led them to this point. Instead of leaving the Kaylons alone, the Union invited them to join and allowed their emissary free access, despite knowing so little about them. And even though the crew was fully aware Isaac was incapable of emotions and feelings, rather than accept him as he was and work and socialize with him at his level in as much as they could, they tried to change him to become more like them. While it was fun for us to watch Isaac's interactions with the crew until now, perhaps the Kaylons would never have turned their genocidal attentions towards Earth had it not been for Isaac becoming a member of The Orville's crew. Who knows?

However The Orville resolves the current crisis in part 2, I have no doubt that whether we like it or hate it, it will be thought-provoking and there will be something we can learn from it.

Doctor Who: The Woman Who Fell to Earth (2018) Season 11, Episode 1

A bit contrived and far too easy

[7/10 · 7 October 2018]

First, let me say I first fell in love with Doctor Who back in the 80s when PBS was broadcasting the Tom Baker and Lis Sladen episodes in the US. They are still my favorites, though David Tennant and Clara Oswald are my second favorites.

But back then they had shoestring budgets and lower production values as a result so the episodes seem a bit cheesy compared to now. Even the worst rated episodes today will still look awesome compared to the early ones.

What the early episodes did have, most of the time, were great writing, direction and acting. This is where some episodes back then still stand up well today and even outrank some of the newer episodes. Including this one.

To be fair though, most first episodes of new Doctors freshly regenerated are like pilot episodes of new series. The actors are still figuring out their characters, as are the writers and the director, usually leaving something wanting in the episode. I think this episode compares fairly well against most other Doctor firsts, except possibly Peter Capaldi's Deep Breath, which I thought was excellent.

About that, Deep Breath was a bit dark in a way as Capaldi showed us right from the start that his Doctor had a real dark side to his character, more so than perhaps any other Doctor. So while Jodie Whittaker's first turn as Doctor is a bit bleak, her character is quite positive and hopeful. It makes a nice change of pace.

Still, it's all a bit contrived. I don't have a problem with a female Doctor, now that we know Time Lords can and do occasionally change genders. Sure, it's been discussed off screen since the show's inception and on screen beginning with Matt Smith. But we've only actually seen it two times before now, first with Missy and then The General, both of which only just occurred with Capaldi's Doctor. Why would a Gallifreyan with such a long history of being male suddenly change genders? I suppose one could argue, given Capaldi's Doctor's determination to not regenerate after all he's lost, that a radical change like becoming female could be enough to make life seem fresh enough to be worth continuing. But the real reason, as we all know, was public pressure and the age we live in, not anything that truly fits within the Whoniverse.

Don't get me wrong. I love Whittaker. She's a very good actress. I loved her in Broadchurch and I know she is going to do justice to the role of the Doctor. But it was contrived to make the Doctor, now after all this time, female.

So how else is the episode contrived? And how was it too easy?

A lone hunter on Earth, of all places, and not for the first time, though unknown to the Doctor and apparently everyone else, seeking a specifically tagged human? Contrived. If it was supposed to be such an important test, why was such an easy target selected? Too easy. The bombs in the necks as a deterrent? Contrived. That they were allowed so much time to solve that problem? Too easy. Building a sonic screwdriver in such a short time from spare parts found randomly? Contrived. Ditto at the end with building the device that transported the Doctor and company, though it didn't work the way it was supposed to and definitely appears to have turned out for the worst. An agoraphobe operating a crane in the middle of the night functioning so well out on that scaffold and then making that leap? Contrived and too easy. On the same lines, I have to wonder how Sinclair with his dyspraxia is going to handle being a companion. Or rather how the writers will. He seems to be adjusting just a little too well for believability, don't you think? (Though I have to admit Daniel Radcliffe has this syndrome and he seems to be doing quite well.) Even beyond the bomb contrivance, wasn't it just too easy getting rid of the bad guy? And when the heck did the Doctor remove the bombs and reverse them to the hunter's data gathering bio machine? Before or after the hunter's upload? At best, the adversary wasn't much of a challenge, was he?

I could go on but you get the idea.

There were some nice touches in the episode though. It was nice to have a policewoman in a realistic police uniform as a new companion. Reminiscent of both Amy's first episode, though better and more believable, and Gwen Cooper from Torchwood. Nice too that she is, or appears to be, of Indian descent. I miss Nasreen and Rita, both of whom I would loved had they become regulars on the series. Sinclair reminds me a little of Rigsby, another I would have loved becoming a regular. And Sinclair's YouTube recordings at the beginning and end reminded me of Elton...his flat even reminded me a little of Elton's. On a sad note, Grace's fall, and subsequent death, from the crane was reminiscent of The Doctor's fatal plunge in Logopolis, sans regeneration. And can anyone remember The Doctor attending a funeral? (Other than The Master's funeral pyre in Last of the Time Lords, that is...not sure that counts since he wasn't really dead.) We all know how The Doctor hates endings so this may be a sign of good change in the character.

All in all, though contrived and a bit too easily resolved, the episode was good enough to give everyone a chance to grow into their roles, from Chris Chibnall at the helm to Whittaker as The Doctor to the three new companions. The Doctor may be terrible with endings but Doctor Who is always changing and it's our privilege and duty to come along for the ride.

The X-Files: My Struggle IV (2018) Season 11, Episode 10

Can the Bills win...

[8/10 · 16 June 2018]

...now that CSM is dead?

As endings go, assuming this really is the end of the series once and for all, this wasn't half bad. Sure, the whole alien invasion hasn't been resolved and the episode was so packed, it really was a bit rushed. But a lot was concluded. Presumably, Mulder and Scully, now that they're finally expecting a child of their own, have turned the page and are done with the X files at least, if not also the FBI and government work in general. They've earned their retirement and then some. Plus who is left that they care about? Presumably Skinner is dead and we know both the CSM and Reyes are. Deep Throat, Mr. X, Krycek, The Syndicate, Pendrell and The Lone Gunmen are all long gone and does anyone really miss Covarrubias or Doggett? Spender and Kersh are still around but, if anything, they're reasons for our heroes to stay away. And William? Well, as far as they know, he's dead and they're not likely to go looking for him again and we can be pretty sure he's going to lay a lot lower than he was before now. Our heroes' families are a lot smaller too. Mulder only has Spender, Scully and the unborn left. And Scully only has her two brothers, Mulder and the unborn.

No, if the X files unit is to continue, it should be as season 10 proposed, only perhaps with two agents other than Einstein and Miller and another decade and a half later (real time). No offense...they were likeable enough I suppose but not really well written or used, which I'm sure is part of the reason they only returned for one episode in season 11.

Yes, let's let our heroes walk maturely holding hands into the sunset, living happily ever after with normal, fully human offspring never again to be confronted by aliens, hybrids, monsters, conspiracies, secret societies or corrupt government officials.

And let's let CSM remain dead so the Bullafo Bills can go to the Super Bowl and finally win it...perhaps in 2019?

The X-Files: Rm9sbG93ZXJz (2018) Season 11, Episode 7

Teach your A.I. well...

[9/10 · 3 March 2018]

...Its mental health

Will slowly go by

And feed

It with your tweets

The one you miss

Is the one it'll know by

Don't you ever ask it why

If it told you, you would die

So just look at it and sigh-i-i

And know it loves you

What a great episode! Not perfect but still very good. I love how it is minimalist and yet expresses so much. And I love how no human dies or even is seriously injured. Though it doesn't work out so well for some of the machines. I'd rank it right up there with Doctor Who's episode "Smile", which is not as good but also shows how our machines might not know how to interpret human actions correctly and wind up behaving wrongly in response. Humans aren't always very good teachers and we don't have god-like creativity skills.

Yes, this X-Files episode is rather over the top and not very believable...not by the level of technology commercially available and widely in use today. A nightmare scenario like the one in this episode is hardly likely to happen in most of our lifetimes.

However, such technology and situations could very believably exist at some point...especially given the direction we seem to be heading as a species. How much do you trust that what you encounter is really what it appears to be? Don't we tend to believe our GPS directions? And haven't we all wondered how much of our activity is tracked, recorded, stored and eventually used to someone else's advantage? How many times have you needed assistance online or on the phone and wondered just how personal the response is that you're getting? How many times has your computer or mobile malfunctioned and irritated you to the point you wanted to destroy it? How much do you depend on your electronic devices and how far do you let them control you? Can you live without them? Have you said you couldn't? Have you ever deliberately left all of them behind when you traveled? How many times have you posted online and been hurt by the lack of likes or been truly happy by an extreme amount of happy faces or thumbs up? Even if most were from people you've never even met, online or offline. How often do we all behave badly online? Don't we feel a little too safe doing so, believing there are none of the real consequences we might have from the same actions in person? How many people have been bullied into depression and suicide by others behaving badly online? And how many others have we all taught to behave badly by our own bad behavior? Even if our own bad behavior is rare, which likely it isn't, all it takes is one time for another to be influenced for life.

Given all that, didn't this episode scare you just a little bit? And didn't you find just a bit of truth about yourself watching it? There is much this episode can, and apparently aims, to teach us. And there is so much more that we need to learn and so much less with each passing year that we seem to be learning. I would even argue we are regressing as a species. Let's just hope that we are doing a lot better by the time we're creating machines capable not only of destroying us but choosing to do so.