Murderbot: Journal d'un AssaSynth

Murderbot was actually better than I expected. I thought it would be an entertaining series since Alexander Skarsgård was starring in it. He's a very good actor who usually stars in stuff I enjoy. I'm also a sci-fi fan and this has an original story I've never seen before. Even though it's a good show that was a lot funnier than I expected, the main reason it worked was because of the performance from Skarsgård. That's not saying the rest of the cast wasn't good, the show wouldn't be nearly as good without the solid performances from the supporting cast. It's just that Skarsgård was perfect for this role. Murderbot builds a very unique and interesting world that you will have fun watching.

Great story, very good cast, high production value on screen; sadly, these 20-minute episodes are the letdown. I was delighted watching the first three episodes and the wait for the next week made me realize how short 20 minutes truly is. The story could have greatly benefited from a longer runtime. I believe the narrative would have been more engaging and satisfying if the show had been produced as a feature film, allowing for deeper engagement with the plot and continuing a strong character bonding for the audience. The brevity of each episode feels cut off and leaves the audience hanging to soon.

Update after all 10 episodes: This is a really good show and a great adaptation, in many ways. The episodes still feel too short, but Murderbot, Mensah, Gurathin (maybe especially) and Ratthi contributes really well to making the show even better. It's been confirmed for season 2, and I'm looking forward to the introduction of a very important character...

In summation: Wait until all episodes are out and binge it in one go.

Big fan of the books, and a lot works for this adaptation. But trying to make a whole season out of the first novella (!) is quite crazy, and results in 20 minute episodes where episode 3 literally is about travelling somewhere. Where is the proper story arc and goal of each episode? It doesn't make sense. If it had a short season of longer episodes, or combined the first few novellas for a longer season, it would be fine, but this just doesn't make sense. You don't get to settle into the episode before it's over. The only way to watch this properly is to binge it. I'll watch them as they come out, but I'd prefer to have them all available already. I love severance and other great apple TV-productions, so this is a let-down to a great universe with lots of potential. The adaptation in itself would benefit from more in-depth coverage of the corporate system etc., something the books doesn't focus much on, perhaps due to it being from Murderbot's perspective (and it doesn't care)...

Also, as others have said, Murderbot should have its helmet on.

This should be an amazing show. The humor, writing, and acting are all top-notch, and the visuals are fantastic. However, with only 10 episodes per season and each one running just 22 to 24 minutes, it feels frustratingly brief.

I doubt we'll ever return to the good old days of TV seasons with 22 to 26 episodes, but let's be honest-this feels severely limited. In terms of total content, it's the equivalent of just five full-length episodes. That's even less than what typical UK series offer. (Personally, I even find 10-episode seasons too compressed-it takes me a while to get truly invested).

Unfortunately, my review focuses more on this structural aspect than the creative side, simply because I believe it's the most critical (and maybe only) flaw. In my opinion, this is a misstep. Time will tell if others feel the same.

P. S. If this series were a person, I'd rename it M. Short Shorty McShortface. From ... This would be an amazing show. The humor, writing, and acting are all top-notch, and the visuals are fantastic. However, with only 10 episodes per season and each one running just 22 to 24 minutes, it feels frustratingly brief.

I doubt we'll ever return to the good old days of TV seasons with 22 to 26 episodes, but let's be honest-this feels severely limited. In terms of total content, it's the equivalent of just five full-length episodes. That's even less than what typical UK series offer. Personally, I even find 10-episode seasons too compressed-it takes me a while to get truly invested.

Unfortunately, my review focuses more on this structural aspect than the creative side, simply because I believe it's the most critical flaw. In my opinion, this is a misstep. Time will tell if others feel the same.

P. S. If this series were a person, I'd rename it M. Short Shorty McShortface.. from Shortistan..... on planet Shortia.

Murderbot may not be the exact adaptation I envisioned, but it's still a standout sci-fi series that deserves your attention. While I originally hoped for a tighter season that combined the first two novellas, the choice to expand the world and focus more deeply on the supporting characters was a bold-and ultimately rewarding-move.

The series smartly gives more weight to the human (and non-human) characters surrounding Murderbot, which adds richness to the universe and raises the emotional stakes. Moments like seeing Sanctuary Moon brought to life? A genius inclusion for longtime fans-and a clever entry point for newcomers.

That said, I do wish the pacing were sharper and that the show leaned more into what makes Murderbot, well, Murderbot: that sarcastic, deadpan, and deeply relatable internal monologue. It's one of the highlights of the books, and dialing that up in future seasons could take the show from great to unforgettable.

Still, the foundation is strong, the themes are smart, and the potential for Season 2 and beyond is massive. If you're into character-driven sci-fi with soul, heart, and the occasional awkward robot feels, Murderbot is absolutely worth the watch.