Amazon Video’s Upload is funny, creative, and even complicated at times. A love-story and a murder mystery rolled into one, what more could you want?
From the moment my husband and I watched the trailer for Amazon Video’s Upload, we knew it was a show we would want to watch. It immediately reminded up of Westworld and Altered Carbon, but not in a copycat kind of way. There is the similarity of continuing on after death that Altered Carbon has, and the AI that Westworld has, however Upload is still it’s own thing.
Personally, I love Science Fiction shows. Even though my mind often runs away with the concepts thinking that I am a robot, or in a simulation. It took me a couple episodes to really get hooked on Amazon’s Upload, but once I did, there was no turning back. We binged all ten episodes in about three days. Honestly, it is one of those shows that just gets better and better.
Sure, the beginning is a little bit slow as they set up the characters and world for us. The story? Long story short the main character, Nathan, is in a self driving car accident. And apparently that NEVER happens. As he is rushed through the hospital he has to make a choice — upload to the afterlife or take his chances in the operating room.
A Love Story
His long time girlfriend is quite wealthy and has a spot at Lakeview, one of the best (and most expensive) Heavens that money can buy. Nathan opts to be uploaded there instead of possibly die for real. His “angel”, Nora, is his customer service representative and it is her job to help him acclimate to his new home. Over time, she starts to develop feelings for him.
This is a really complicated situation because not only does he have a girlfriend (who is paying for him to “live on”), she is in the real world while he is in a computer generated afterlife. On top of that, it is against policy for them to have a relationship, and Nora’s boss seems to basically be looking for a reason to fire her.
A Murder Sub-Plot
Just when you think things cannot get any more complicated, Nathan realizes that he might have been murdered. I don’t want to give too much away, but more and more things start to point in that direction. But why would he be murdered? Well, Nathan and his friend were trying to create a free afterlife. And of course a billion dollar industry wouldn’t be too excited about that.
I am sure you are thinking that this show sounds quite serious with the two main plots being love and murder. But I assure you, it is anything but. Upload is also so insanely funny. There are many moments that you are sure to be laughing out loud.
Overall Thoughts
Is Amazon Prime’s Upload perfect? Not at all. But this is the first season and I feel like that needs to be kept in mind. The show is funny, creative, and complicated — there is real depth to it at times. The first season is a love story with a murder as subplot — could you get any better than that?
Each and every character plays their role well in this show, and the acting is spot on. I found myself wanting to dive into the back story of more supporting characters, and I hope eventually we get there. Amazon Prime’s Upload season one is complicated, hilarious, and a lot of fun. Nothing is really solved this season, which sets us up for a fantastic season two, that I for one, cannot wait for.
About Upload
From Emmy-Award winning writer Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Recreation) comes Upload, a new sci-fi comedy series set in a technologically advanced future where hologram phones, 3D food printers and automated grocery stores are the norm. Most uniquely, humans can choose to be “uploaded” into a virtual afterlife when they find themselves near-death.
The series follows a young app developer, Nathan Brown (Robbie Amell), who winds up in the hospital following a self-driving car accident, needing to quickly decide his fate. After a rushed deliberation with his shallow girlfriend Ingrid (Allegra Edwards), he chooses to be uploaded to her family’s luxurious virtual afterlife, the Horizen company’s “Lakeview.” Once uploaded in Lakeview, Nathan meets his customer service “Angel” Nora Anthony (Andy Allo), who at first is his charismatic concierge and guide, but quickly becomes his friend and confidante, helping him navigate this new digital extension of life.
Binge Upload on Amazon Video today!
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.