I found this to be one of the most intriguing of the Channel 4 series dramatising selected Philip K Dick short stories. It started off like a routine post-apocalyptic masses against the classes uprising as the last outcrop of humanity sought to wage guerrilla war against the controlling A.I. facility manifested in the all-powerful Autofac distribution centre. But then, through clever editing and layered story-telling gradually emerged another typical Dick-ian dissertation on free-will in the future and the irresistible rise of the machine overtaking our everyday lives.
Prominent amongst the rebels is a bright young scientist-type female called Emily. Just when it seemed as if she and her gang of three, in breaking into the shall we say, Amazonian Autofac complex, would next light up the piece with some cliched flashy action sequences as humans battle androids it became actually became a much more serious piece as Emily discusses humanity with the "female" android they initially captured to get inside but who later turns the tables on her and her colleagues. Only then does the shocking truth about her own existence come to light and sense is at last made of previously inserted scenes of firstly her younger self witnessing the end of days and also her bloodily forcing an implant into her own head.
The ending is suitably enigmatic closing on a memorable last line, spoken by Emily. Juno Payne is good as the central anti-hero but the most kudos must go the director for stylish work, two scenes of which stand out especially, one the efficient killing of one of Emily's fellow rebels inside the Autofac and the second when Emily's visions finally make sense to her and so fill in the gaps in the narrative.
I really enjoyed this episode even as I continue to wonder about the continuing Pink Floyd references in the series as we see Emily play but miss the (Zabriskie) point as she commandeers the mission...
Prominent amongst the rebels is a bright young scientist-type female called Emily. Just when it seemed as if she and her gang of three, in breaking into the shall we say, Amazonian Autofac complex, would next light up the piece with some cliched flashy action sequences as humans battle androids it became actually became a much more serious piece as Emily discusses humanity with the "female" android they initially captured to get inside but who later turns the tables on her and her colleagues. Only then does the shocking truth about her own existence come to light and sense is at last made of previously inserted scenes of firstly her younger self witnessing the end of days and also her bloodily forcing an implant into her own head.
The ending is suitably enigmatic closing on a memorable last line, spoken by Emily. Juno Payne is good as the central anti-hero but the most kudos must go the director for stylish work, two scenes of which stand out especially, one the efficient killing of one of Emily's fellow rebels inside the Autofac and the second when Emily's visions finally make sense to her and so fill in the gaps in the narrative.
I really enjoyed this episode even as I continue to wonder about the continuing Pink Floyd references in the series as we see Emily play but miss the (Zabriskie) point as she commandeers the mission...