Real Humans (100% Humain)

Tired of the plethora of unimaginative and often shallow sci fi drama's coming out of the USA? Then take a look at the Swedish sci fi series Real Humans.

This very original, highly intelligent drama is both engaging and deep with elements reminiscent of Blade Runner but in a contemporary urban setting.

The central question the series raises as per Blade Runner is what does it mean to be human? Are humanities humanoid robotic creations any less real than the human biological creations that brought them into existence?

I wont say much more as it may spoil the pleasant surprise this series represents but suffice to say as a die hard sci fi fan this is one of the best series I have seen in a long time and comes highly recommended. Don't miss out.Nine out of ten from me.

So far, I have watched 7 episodes with a further 3 to come. What strikes me about this series is how accessible it is for non sci-fi buffs. It is about how robots can or would evolve within a human environment. With the self actuated robots, there are elements of Blade Runner, but as with most things about TV, this is a great canvas in which to explore plots and character development. I'm so looking forward to the final 3 episodes. This is sci-fi which is not too removed or unimaginable from our current time. It also explores how humans interact and use this technology from all sorts of angles. Looking forward to how the series further unfolds and hope that they don't make another series if they have nothing further to add to this current series. However, at the moment, I can't wait for the next episode.

The Swedes have achieved something unique with this show. Real Humans is about a reality where human-like robots are commonplace in today's world and perform such roles as home assistants, companions to lonely souls, workers of all types and, of course, sex toys. The show follows a selection of different people as they live in this world, from the family with the curious teenage boy, to an old man needing home assistance, and a lonely man who's job is threatened by them, and a woman in love with one. It also follows a group of obsolete and disowned "hubots" who are a quest to avoid being scrapped and recycled. The day-to-day coexistence between humans and hubots provides often amusing situations but there's also a darker side in each episode which makes you feel for them. I'm not ashamed to admit it's a soap, but a very intelligent one, and a very open one. Strictly for older kids and adults.

Don't let watching a show with subtitles put you off. This is a great show and reading the subtitles doesn't detract from watching. The show has many undertones and a great storyline. I've watched it all a few times and you pick things up each time. Well worth the watch.

There is some great acting and really nice scenery too - for those of us who have never been, and probably will never go, to Sweden, it gives you a little view of some very different places - especially compared to Australia.

If you like this, you may also like the Danish version of The Killing (the original). Also an excellent show!

What do you do when you want to make Science-Fiction like Blade Runner, set in the future, with replicants and all, but you don't have Ridley Scott's money ? You make a science-fiction series set in a future that looks exactly like our present, but that has replicants in it. Except here they're called Hubots. Apart from the name change, they are pretty similar. And the blade runners in Real Humans are called EHURB, less stylish policemen in charge of arresting any hubot that would create trouble. Humans use their hubots as modern slaves, in factories, at home, or in brothels. Need a cook who will also clean your house and take care of your children ? Want an improved inflatable doll ? Or just a companion that is more talkative than your dog ? Try the hubots. They are pleasant to be with, they never get tired, they always smile, they always agree. Some humans even start to like them better than their human partners. The problem is, hubots are machines under the law, not worth more than your car or your bike. So you can't go to a club with them, and human-hubot couples are not well considered. Fortunately, Inger Ergman, who at first was a bit reluctant about having a hubot at home, finally grew quite fond of her Anita. And as she has friends who date hubots, she's going to use all her skills as a lawyer to alter the law. Of course, hubots are not all obliging and slavish. Anita, for instance, used to be an independent robot in love with Leo, who leads a group of autonomous hubots determined to be and remain free. But if some hubots want to be free, if they can fall in love, it means that they can have feelings, and a conscience. So should we still assign them the same values as a that of a car, and throw them away when their bug can't be fixed ? Should we consider them as humans ? Should human-hubot couples still be considered an abomination ? In these tense times of debate about gay marriage, Lars Lundström's questions about what love is and about the power of feelings, are definitely well-timed.