It is 2048, crime has risen by 400%, weapons and drugs flood the streets by way of criminal organizations, and the police force integrate android partners to aid in the takedown of crime. “Almost Human” is the second show produced by JJ Abrams (“Lost Star Trek”) and J.H. Wyman to air on FOX, the first, being “Fringe.” This sci-fi-drama in particular stars quite the ensemble cast and boasts an interesting plot to boot.
When Detective John Kennex’s team is ambushed by a crime syndicate, his partner dies and he undergoes a two-year rehab which impairs his mind as well as his grasp on reality. His wife, Anna is also out of the picture. Her present whereabouts are unknown. After returning to the force, he is granted an android partner who he is not exactly happy with. A quick shove out of the car onto the freeway (which could have caused immense damage) and he is outfitted with a new partner as they track down Kennex’s lost past and the criminal organizations who run the city.
If you have seen “I, Robot”, you’ll have a very good idea of where this show takes place and where detective Kennex comes from. Karl Urban (Bones McCoy in “Star Trek”) as Detective Kennex is very similar to Will Smith’s Detective Spooner in that they both abide by old-school tactics of police work and their tendency to stray from the robot opposition. He even sports a robotic limb like Spooner. Whereas one android decides saving one life is not logical enough in terms of the success of the mission, Kennex goes against this notion. The end result is his partner dying and the mission going down the drain, but it is his pride, which remains unscathed.
The show itself is very “JJ Abrams” in how it is produced. While it does not have the ensemble cohesion “Lost” did, it has the proper personable characters that are relatable. The cast set forth is one that is pretty high up on the list of show business. Karl Urban has been making a name for himself with supporting and lead roles in “Star Trek” and “Dredd” and Lili Taylor has had great success as of late with “The Conjuring” and “Hemlock Grove”. Taylor plays the chief of police, and Minka Kelly (“Parenthood”, “Friday Night Lights”) plays a detective on the force who is adjusting to Kennex’s reinstatement. Finally, Michael Ealy plays Kennex’s synthetic partner, Dorian, who is unlike the rest of the androids that fill the department. He is more human than the others but just mechanical enough to get on the good side of Kennex.
Almost Human airs every Monday at 8pm on FOX (so far, it has yet to be determined how many episodes will be created) and can be found on HULU as well. This is a very intriguing show and has an outlandish network budget to keep it unique and very cinema-like; a big feat for television.
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