Almost Human premiered in 2013 as Fox’s attempt to ride the wave of The Walking Dead and other post-apocalyptic dramas. Set in 2043, the show follows John Kennex (Karl Urban), a detective who returns to the force after a near-fatal attack that left him scarred and mistrustful. He partners with a human-shaped robot, Dorian (Michael Ealy), to catch a serial killer targeting cops. The premise sounds like a smart science-fiction idea. In practice, the show struggles to balance its action, drama, and sci-fi elements, often settling for a middling mix that never quite coheres.
John Kennex Returns to the Force
Kennex is a damaged man, and the show leans on his PTSD and paranoia to build tension. Urban plays him with a weary intensity, and the character’s arc from bitter loner to tentative team player is the strongest thread running through the season. His return to duty is rocky, and he clashes with his new partner, Dorian, who has been assigned to monitor him.
The show uses Kennex’s past to drive its central conflict. His fear of betrayal is a constant presence, and it shapes how he interacts with everyone around him, including Dorian. The show does not fully resolve this fear by the end, which leaves the character’s arc feeling unfinished.
Dorian’s Prototype Origins
Dorian is a human-shaped robot designed to mimic human behavior. He lacks empathy and social skills, which creates friction with Kennex. The show uses their partnership to explore what it means to be human, but the exploration is often muddled by competing tones.
The show presents Dorian as a blank slate, a machine learning from scratch. That setup is promising, but the writing never fully commits to the idea. Instead, Dorian’s growth is treated as a flaw rather than a strength, which creates a tonal inconsistency that undermines the character’s purpose.
The Serial Killer Case
The central case revolves around a serial killer who targets police officers. The killer leaves behind evidence suggesting a robotic origin, which forces Kennex and Dorian to investigate the larger question of whether robots can be trusted. This plotline is meant to be the show’s core, but it gets lost in the shuffle of side stories about:
- Corporate espionage
- Rogue AI
- Government conspiracies
The killer’s identity is a mystery for most of the season, but the reveal feels rushed. The episode that finally solves the case spends more time on Kennex’s personal trauma than on the killer’s motives, which dilutes the impact of the resolution. The show wants to make a statement about technology and humanity, but the execution is too busy to land that punch.
The Partnership Between Kennex and Dorian
The relationship between Kennex and Dorian is the show’s most interesting dynamic. The two men start as wary partners and slowly grow closer as they face danger together. Their scenes together carry the emotional weight of episodes that otherwise feel thin.
The show’s best moments come when it focuses on the two leads. The chemistry between Urban and Ealy is genuine, and their interactions are the most engaging part of the series. When the show trusts this partnership, it succeeds.
The Sci-Fi World of 2043
The world of Almost Human is visually distinct, with sleek cityscapes and advanced technology that feels both futuristic and grounded. The show’s production design is a highlight, and the sets and costumes create a sense of place that most sci-fi TV shows struggle to achieve. The show also does a good job of establishing its rules, even if it doesn’t always follow them consistently.
The technology is impressive, with humanoid robots, flying cars, and augmented reality interfaces. The show takes time to explain how its world works, which helps ground the audience in its logic. However, the storytelling sometimes gets in the way of the world-building. Episodes that could have explored the implications of a society where robots are commonplace instead focus on car chases and shootouts.
The Supporting Cast
The supporting cast is uneven. Lili Taylor plays Maldonado, a captain who supports Kennex, and she brings a quiet strength to the role. Kevin Rankin plays Maldonado’s partner, and his performance is solid but underwritten. The show’s villains are forgettable, with few memorable performances outside of Urban and Ealy.
The show also includes a subplot involving Kennex’s ex-wife, played by Lake Bell. Her storyline adds some emotional depth, but it is ultimately resolved in a way that feels convenient rather than earned. The show tries to juggle multiple threads, but it rarely manages to tie them together satisfactorily.
The Tone Problem
The show’s tone is its biggest weakness. It wants to be a gritty police procedural, a tense sci-fi thriller, and a thoughtful meditation on artificial intelligence all at once. The result is a show that never commits to any of those modes. The action scenes are competent but forgettable, and the drama is hampered by inconsistent pacing.
The show also suffers from a lack of continuity. Characters make decisions that contradict what they said earlier, and the show frequently resets its stakes without warning. This lack of consistency makes it hard to care about the characters or their goals.
The Season Finale
The finale attempts to wrap up the season’s major threads, but it fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion. The serial killer is caught, but the show rushes through the aftermath, leaving many questions unanswered. The cliffhanger for the second season is set up, but it feels like a bait-and-switch rather than a genuine payoff.
The finale also tries to resolve Kennex’s relationship with Dorian, but the resolution is rushed and unsatisfying. The show has spent the entire season building tension between the two men, only to resolve it in a way that feels superficial. The finale is a letdown, and it leaves the audience wanting more closure than the show is willing to provide.
What Works
Despite its flaws, Almost Human has moments of genuine quality. The relationship between Kennex and Dorian is the show’s best asset, and the actors play it with real conviction. The production design is a visual treat, and the show’s commitment to its futuristic setting is admirable. The show also raises interesting questions about what it means to be human, even if it doesn’t always answer them.
The show’s strengths are real, but they are overshadowed by its weaknesses. The writing is inconsistent, the pacing is uneven, and the show’s ambitions outstrip its execution. The result is a show that is watchable but forgettable, a shadow of what it could have been.
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