TV series explores the sexual politics of robotic romance.  

In recent years, pop culture has developed a fixation on sex robots. Films like Her, Ex Machina, and Automata (or even the more low-tech Lars and the Real Girl), have all discussed the idea of sexual attraction between humans and robots.

Now a joint production from American network AMC and British public broadcaster Channel 4 is looking to continue the conversation with the exciting new TV series Humans (stylized as HUM∀NS).

Adapted from the earlier Swedish series Real Humans, the story takes place in a near future where humanoid robots (known as Synths) are widely available to consumers. Over eight hour-long episodes, Humans goes on to examine the effect an industry of service robots would have on society.

Captivated viewers have also been driving Humans to trend on Twitter, expressing a variety of complicated feelings about the show—many of which revolved around issues of consent:

Which means I went to bed last night worried about the moral grey area of vibrator use, because of course I did. #Humans

— Janet ? Lynn (@Weez) July 6, 2015

As far as I'm concerned, that really was not consensual sex. #Humans is certainly thought-provoking… and scary!

— Pollypoptart (@Pollypoptart) July 5, 2015

Commanding a synth to have sex with you is just a slippery slope #Humans

— Millie (@MillieSansoye) July 5, 2015

Featuring a blend of philosophical examination, narrative intrigue, and emotional drama, Humans has become Channel 4’s highest rated drama since 1992, with The Guardian describing it as being “one of 2015’s dramatic hits.”

However, beyond the critical acclaim and social commentary, Humans has caused a stir online for more titillating reasons. It seems that the show’s continued focus on robotic sex is proving fascinating to viewers. This culminated in an outsized reaction to last week’s episode, when husband and father Joe Hawkins sleeps with his recently purchased Synth, Anita.

But rather than positioning it as an erotic fantasy, the camera’s gaze depicts this encounter as clinical and awkward. Isolating angles and blocking are used to emphasize Joe’s lonely desperation, and the coldly impersonal nature of their tryst.

"How do I turn you off?" I don't think you ever turned her on in the first place Joe so don't worry about it #Humans

— Helen ? (@helerrrn) July 5, 2015

Most awkward after-sex scene goes to #Humans

— The English Simmer ⋄ (@EnglishSimmer) July 5, 2015

This house sharply divided on whether sex with robot butler = an affair, or just advanced wanking. #Humans

— Jim Martin (@JimSpim) July 5, 2015

The episode also continued its examination of robots and sexual politics with a sequence following Joe’s teenage children as they attend a friend’s underage house party. Rebellious daughter Mattie stops a Synth from being sexually assaulted by a buffoonish classmate in an overt parallel with date rape.  Meanwhile, her brother Toby chooses to reject the flirtations of a friendly classmate due to his burgeoning crush on Anita.

The original Swedish series also features robotic sex in a prominent fashion, portraying it as taboo, yet widespread. People who choose to engage in physical or romantic relationships with Hubots (as they’re known in the Swedish version) are mocked with the derogatory slur “Hubbies.”

Real Humans takes this idea to its logical conclusion, featuring robot prostitution, trafficking, and even Hubot sex clubs.

It’s also worth noting that in comparison to Humans, the robot relationships in films such as Her and Ex Machina have received significantly muted responses from the public. It’s unclear if this is the result of a greater focus on sex instead of romance, or Humans’s resistance to glamourizing its own subject matter.

While much of the controversy surrounding this week’s episode has fixated on questions about objectification, consent, and rape culture, for others it might simply hit too close to home. It’s becoming increasingly common for people to develop sentimental feelings for their devices, and modern culture is replete with examples—from smart phone separation anxiety to the fandom for Siri’s voice, or even the way we confer personality onto our cars.

While robotic sex is often treated as fodder for comedy, the success of Humans is proving that viewers want to know what will happen when the sexbots arrive.

What did you think about the episode’s robot sex scene?

Image Source: Channel 4