Karl Urban’s Almost Human Is a Misunderstood Cyberpunk Sci-Fi Series

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Despite lasting only 13 episodes, the cyberpunk drama Almost Human, starring Karl Urban and Michael Ealy, has gained a reputation as a hidden gem. The show was set in the futuristic city of “New Pittsburgh,” where androids were commonplace, especially within the police force. Urban played John Kennex, and Ealy portrayed Dorian, an android whose ability to experience emotions is central to the series’ theme.

The series, created by J.H. Wyman and produced by Bad Robot with music by J.J. Abrams, showed early promise. Unfortunately, like many science fiction shows on Fox, it was cancelled before it could fully develop. Despite this, the 13 episodes that aired are enjoyable and, similar to shows like Firefly, stand as a reminder of what could have been.

Almost Human Featured Mythology and Mystery, But Not Too Much

After a disastrous raid where he lost his leg and partner, John Kennex developed a deep distrust of androids. The android assigned to support him during that raid coldly calculated their chances of survival and refused to help. This experience explains why Kennex is hostile towards robots and immediately destroys his first robotic partner in the show’s first episode. Fortunately, his new partner, Dorian, is different – he’s equipped with a form of emotional intelligence, which is a key reason why Almost Human was so engaging despite its brief time on air.

Following a near-fatal incident that left him in a coma for over a year, Kennex woke up with a cybernetic leg – a replacement he deeply dislikes, almost as much as he dislikes androids. Despite this, and as any dedicated detective would, he continues to pursue the InSyndicate, uncovering a link between them and his former girlfriend, Anna.

The show’s lingering questions about its backstory weren’t the most compelling part. What really stood out were the connections between the characters, especially Kennex and Dorian.

As a film fan, I really connected with Kennex’s perspective – it’s easy to see why he thinks these logic-based android cops have issues. Honestly, logic doesn’t always explain people very well, does it? But Ealy’s character, Dorian, brings a totally different angle to things. He’s angry about how everyone sees androids, and that anger, combined with his emotional programming, creates some serious internal conflict – which is great drama, but definitely doesn’t help him survive. What makes Dorian unique is that he actually wants to live, even though his particular model has already been shut down.

Almost Human Took a Traditional ‘Case of the Week’ Approach That Served Its Characters

Most TV shows have ongoing storylines, but this series, which started in 2013, follows a more classic format with self-contained episodes. One week you might see a thrilling hostage crisis, and the next, a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be an artificial intelligence.

People are just now finding the show Almost Human, and it’s great for a weekend binge! While it doesn’t have a fully resolved ending, it still feels complete and enjoyable.

Unlike shows like Lost that rely on cliffhangers, Almost Human tells complete stories within each episode. However, these cases gradually develop a detailed picture of the world in 2048 New Pittsburgh and, more importantly, the characters, especially Kennex and Dorian. Their evolving relationship is the show’s strongest point, and it explores thought-provoking themes about humanity – a hallmark of good science fiction.

It’s hard to say exactly what makes a great series finale, but “Almost Human” pulls it off. While not the most groundbreaking or action-packed episode, it’s a smart and well-crafted story that provides a truly satisfying conclusion to the show.

The show doesn’t really end; it sets the stage for what happens next with the characters, letting their stories continue in the minds of those who watched. This is a key reason why Almost Human deserves to be considered a hidden gem.

Almost Human Has Almost Zero Chance of Revival, but That Just Makes It More Special

Many fans consider Firefly the most well-known sci-fi show Fox canceled before its time. While it’s hard for new shows to succeed, streaming services often give them a second chance. Unfortunately, Almost Human probably won’t be one of those shows. With only one season and 13 episodes, it seems unlikely we’ll see more stories with these characters. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It actually makes the series stand out and feel more special in a television landscape dominated by long-running franchises.

The world created in Almost Human had the potential for a vast and ongoing story. However, just because something can continue doesn’t mean it should. Sometimes, ending a show, even if it’s before its time, is the best thing for its legacy – especially when further episodes might diminish its quality or lead to poor creative decisions. Almost Human was unfairly cut short, and knowing it could have been so much more makes the episodes we do have even more impactful.

Despite showing a lot of promise in its first two seasons, the TV show Almost Human was unfortunately canceled. While it didn’t attract enough viewers to continue, it never really had a chance to become truly poor in quality. What made it special was how well it combined self-contained episodes with an overarching story – a balance that’s uncommon in television.

Once people start watching this show, they’ll probably be eager for more once the 13 episodes are over. That strong desire to continue is a sign of a truly great series that didn’t get the attention it deserved when it first came out, and it’s what makes rewatching it so enjoyable.

You can buy Almost Human on DVD, Blu-ray, or digitally, but it’s not available to stream on popular streaming services right now.

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2026-05-21 02:07