Valerie 23

Not just enjoyable because we get to see some full-frontal female nudity (that's really just a bonus, especially as Sofia Shinas is stunning anyway) but also because we get to see William Sadler (who's always a joy to watch on screen) and Robocop's Nancy Allen.

The story IS predictable - a wheelchair-bound scientist working on synthetic human skin gets the chance to 'test run' a robotic companion the company he works for is also working on, he and his physiotherapist get unethically closer, the robotic companion gets jealous - but it's well-acted and well-written, and maybe I'm just a bit biased because being a bit of a shut-in myself I like the idea of having a robotic companion like this one, even without the intimacy.

I'm very disappointed until now on Outer Limits new series, the pilot episode was a bad introducing, the Valerie 23 also is an average attempt to bring to life the fabulous original concept, perhaps l've been nostalgic or something, however the new series wasn't a match the forerunner, the plot is quite promising, the science create a new kind of Android with emotional feelings, soft skin, fed like humans that provides everything that it needs and most important, will be available every time to make sex without complaints, no headaches, unwillingness, whatever a perfect companion that the man can buy, sadly it wasn't so easy, it will be collateral effects, should be better as expected, an alternative ending with Karen Allen being an Android neither, it will be unpredictable ending, just a suggestion!!

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First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 6.5

I am watching this episode 25 years after it was made and am impressed how accurate this OL prediction is turning out to be. Already there are some very humanoid companions available and AI is becoming more and more indistinguishable from real people. I give it another 10 years before a close approximation to "Valerie" becomes commercially available. Although tempting, I think I will stick with my very human female companion for now.

I run hot and cold with this series. The good ones are exceptional, the weaker ones are an utter waste of 46 minutes. This is one of the best.

If you are a straight male, your first watch will leave one singularly overriding impression: the physical perfection of Sophia Shinas (the titular Valerie 23.) Subsequent views (and first views for those not enslaved by their glands) will treat you to a dive into several themes: isolation, what is "life," jealousy, the ethics of AI, and a brief detour into the ethics of dating your patients. For me, as a semi-shut in, the biggest theme of all is bigotry.

Frank, played by the great Bill Sadler, is an embitterred paraplegic, handed the perfect companion, yet he can not put aside his preconceptions, and see her for herself. Then he takes up with his physical therapist (Nancy Allen). The rejection makes Valerie jealous, which makes her a LOT less perfect.

Good story, GREAT cast (I've been a hard core Bill Sadler fan since his villainous Col. Stewart in Die Hard II), and one of the highlights of the series!

There is one very good reason for watching this distaff version of "Frankenstein": our protagonist, a wheelchair-bound scientist (Sadler) has sex with a comely android creation (Shinas). Shinas is absolutely gorgeous, and fulfills an anatomically correct living doll in the closet fantasy all hetero males share. And unlike "Jeannie" and "My Living Doll," this stunner gets completely nekkid before doing the dirty deed with her master. Nothing new plot wise here, but it is definitely entertaining for an adult male audience. This OL episode, like so many others, contains female nudity (using the most stunning looking women imaginable) and soft core sex scenes -- which certainly also must have entertained young boys everywhere. Highly recommended for the sensuality, even when you know where the plot will end up.