Thoughts on Episode 6 *rubs hands together gleefully*:
About the thematic connection between the Sanctuary Moon episode and Murderbot’s reality: I think what we’re supposed to notice is contrast, if anything.
Captain Hossein is trying to emotionally connect with Nav Bot 337 Alt 66, and humanises it in the process. (using it for now but please correct me if there are any official pronouns)
Murderbot sees the show as an unrealistic escape from reality.
Hossein insists that Nav Bot should sit down (sound familiar?) and that it also has inner feelings that should be listened to and validated. (PresAux does this often)
He finds Nav’s quirks like the robotic laugh and odd mannerisms endearing. Murderbot actually possesses these quirks, but is also anxious, awkward, (not in the funny/cute way) and ultimately a SecUnit made and contracted to kill.
Unlike in Murderbot’s reality, the expectations for Nav’s ability to feel and act like a human seem to actually apply. It has feelings, romantic ones even, and its roboticness is not seen as very dangerous, at least to Hossein. There is no “dark truth” to uncover, only hidden kindness and humanity.
Murderbot, on the other hand, defies these expectations. Yes, it sat down when requested and can be very kind, but it also very clearly defies the humanness PresAux has applied to it throughout the series. It does this textually (the last scene at the end of the episode) and physically (blowing Leebeebee’s head clean off) proving its violent nature.
Murderbot, as we know, isn’t a danger to PresAux, but it isn’t a bot like Nav Bot 337, with romantic feelings and a desire to engage with humans “normally.”Maybe this is a stretch, but perhaps Murderbot is also using the show to (at least subconsciously) escape to a reality where it does have the desire and ability to fit in.
This obviously isn’t something it truly wants, but if you look at it through an autistic lens, I know that many autistic people (including me) can end up dreaming about fitting better in by changing fundamental parts of ourselves, even if that truly isn’t what we want or are able to do, at least without losing our true selves in the process.
I ultimately think that if it means something, it symbolises the disconnect between expectations (Sanctuary Moon) and reality and Murderbot defying the humanity applied to it.I think that the last line (“And that… felt good”) is about the satisfaction of living up to its own name, proving that it is what it is. It isn’t all that it is, but it’s fundamental and shouldn’t be ignored.
Yesssss this makes so much sense! Great analysis!!