"A masterclass in buddy-cop dynamics, blending futuristic noir aesthetics with a poignant exploration of what it means to be alive."
Produced by J.H. Wyman and J.J. Abrams, Almost Human remains a high-water mark for science fiction on broadcast television. Set in a 2048 Los Angeles where human officers are paired with android partners, the series explored the blurred lines between biology and technology. The chemistry between Karl Urban’s grizzled John Kennex and Michael Ealy’s soulful Dorian anchored the procedural format with deep philosophical inquiry. Despite its short thirteen-episode life on FOX, the show built an expansive world filled with genetic hacking and synthetic ethics. Its cancellation left a void in the genre, as it managed to balance big-budget action with a grounded, human heart. It is remembered today as a cult classic that predicted the modern obsession with artificial intelligence and digital consciousness.
| Watched? | # | Air Date | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Nov 17, 2013 | Pilot | |
| E2 | Nov 18, 2013 | Skin | |
| E3 | Nov 25, 2013 | Are You Receiving? | |
| E4 | Dec 02, 2013 | The Bends | |
| E5 | Dec 09, 2013 | Blood Brothers | |
| E6 | Dec 16, 2013 | Arrhythmia | |
| E7 | Jan 06, 2014 | Simon Says | |
| E8 | Jan 13, 2014 | You Are Here | |
| E9 | Feb 03, 2014 | Unbound | |
| E10 | Feb 10, 2014 | Perception | |
| E11 | Feb 17, 2014 | Disrupt | |
| E12 | Feb 24, 2014 | Beholder | |
| E13 | Mar 03, 2014 | Straw Man |
Franchise Status: Officially cancelled after one season; currently exists as a cult classic with no active revival projects in development.
Almost Human remains a definitive pillar of science fiction television, having concluded its influential run on Fox. The series carved out a unique space in the cultural landscape by blending high-concept cyberpunk aesthetics with a grounded buddy-cop dynamic that explored the blurred lines between humanity and artificial intelligence. Its portrayal of a futuristic Los Angeles felt lived-in and prophetic, utilizing top-tier visual effects and a synth-heavy score to establish an atmosphere that rivaled big-budget cinema. Fans continue to champion the show for its philosophical depth and the undeniable chemistry between Karl Urban and Michael Ealy, which served as the emotional anchor for its complex world-building.
As a rewatch staple, the series thrives due to its procedural accessibility paired with an overarching mystery that remains tantalizingly unresolved. The show anticipated many modern conversations regarding robotics, data privacy, and the ethics of automation, making its narrative feel more relevant today than at the time of its original broadcast. Its legacy is defined by a passionate following that revisits the thirteen episodes as a masterclass in what could have been, representing a high-water mark for network genre storytelling. Despite its short lifespan, the series continues to influence the visual language of televised sci-fi and remains a poignant reminder of the creative potential within the android-human trope.