PILOT REVIEW: Almost Human

ALMOST HUMAN

Starring: Karl Urban, Michael Ealy, Minka Kelly, Mackenzie Crook, Michael Irby, and Lili Taylor

Created by JH Wyman
Written by JH Wyman, Directed by Brad Anderson

Almost Human is set in the dystopian future of 2048 Los Angeles where crime is up 400% and in order to combat the crime, each police office is partnered with a lifelike android. John Kennex (Karl Urban) has been in a coma for over a year following a devastating ambush that killed his human partner. When he awakens and rejoins the police force, he must be with an android but he picks the long dormant Dorian (Michael Ealy) who has more human emotion than some androids. Rounding out the main cast are Minka Kelly, Mackenzie Crook, and Michael Irby as co-workers, and Lili Taylor as Kennex's boss, Captain Sandra Maldonado.

THE GOOD: Almost Human paints a really interesting picture of a futuristic world that seems, in some ways, like it could be possible although 2048 seems awfully soon. They did a good job of using classic crime drama issues but giving it them new twists with the setting, gadgets, etc. An early standout is Michael Ealy as the android partner. After a very brooding and serious start to the episode, Ealy brought some levity to the show and some much needed comedy. He has a good dynamic with Karl Urban's skeptical human partner. The show has the potential to be in the same family as The Blacklist and Person of Interest where they blend the case of the week format with a larger mythology. That would be the best way to go.

THE BAD: Other than Urban and Ealy, I don't think we really got to know any of the other characters. I love Minka Kelly from Friday Night Lights and she was the best part of the short-lived Charlie's Angels reboot, but they didn't seem to really have anything for her character to do here. In fact, the other characters seemed to almost be secondary to the technology. The gadgets and futuristic look is obviously a key element of this show but they need to be careful to not let it be the focus. While Urban is good in the lead role, he did seem to resort to just staring too often. I didn't find myself rooting for him yet.

BOTTOM LINE: Almost Human is the opposite of my type of show, yet I was engrossed enough by the pilot that I'll at least try another episode. I like yet another new twist on a cop drama because it's a tried and true format but needs some updating once in awhile. Also, while interesting, I certainly hope 2048 is not actually the way its depicted!