Exploring the Weight of Nathan's Dilemma and Aleesha's Identity: A Conversation with Upload Season 3 Director Tom Marshall

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Upload season 3 on Prime Video has recently added two fresh episodes, and fans can expect more thrilling episodes leading up to the season finale on November 10. In a desperate bid to save Nathan's life, Nora frantically rushes him to see a doctor.

Tom Marshall is in charge of directing episodes 3 and 4 of Upload season 3. Following Nathan's download, the relationship between him and Nora experiences real-world obstacles, while a fresh romance for Aleesha is introduced.

Tom Marshall is the director for the third and fourth episodes of Upload season 3. Marshall has directed other shows such as Ted Lasso and Space Force, and has various writing and producing credits. Robbie Amell leads the ensemble cast of the Prime Video show, portraying Nathan, alongside Andy Allo, Kevin Bigley, Allegra Edwards, Zainab Johnson, and Owen Daniels in starring roles.

Tom Marshall Talks Upload Season 3

Tom Marshall was exclusively interviewed by our website to discuss the potential implications of the show's unpredictability on Nathan and delve into Aleesha's blossoming romance with Karina. Additionally, we explored the unique experience of working in Upload's futuristic environment.

Our website: What stood out to you about Upload and made you want to get involved in season 3?

What was particularly exciting about working on episodes 303 and 304?

After watching the show, I was excited to have the opportunity to create and develop various worlds and settings for my episodes. In just two episodes, we were able to construct unique sets, such as call centers of the future and shared living environments resembling windowless prisons with cramped pods. Additionally, we created a frightening and glitch-filled version of Lakeview, previously unseen in the series. As a director, it was exhilarating to make my mark on these distinct environments, which translated well on camera and felt like shooting mini movies. I was incredibly pleased with the creative freedom I had and the results I achieved.

Nathan is reunited with his mom, and Nora seamlessly becomes a part of their family. What were you trying to convey about their interaction?

Tom Marshall: Our main focus was on Nathan's transition back to the real world after spending two seasons in Lakeview. We wanted to explore his reintegration into normal life, including real-life interactions and relationships, and the fatigue that comes with it. In Lakeview, sleep is automated and easily accessed, but now Nathan has to make the effort to sleep on his own and wake up at inconvenient times.

He is forced to share a bed with his mom and her new partner. Transitioning from a blissful period in heaven to the harsh realities and problems of the real world is quite jarring. Nathan's mom's new boyfriend is not an ideal match for her, adding to the difficulties. It's a classic case of "Be careful what you wish for." Nathan has longed to be human again and reunite with Nora, but facing the practical challenges of reality was an interesting experience for him.

Among the episodes, my favorite moment was when Aleesha attempts to teach AI Guy how to chew. I'm curious, was it a challenging scene for you all to shoot?

Tom Marshall expresses his delight at someone mentioning a particular moment, which he believes is the funniest in his block. The moment he refers to is when the AI Guy struggles to eat cheese, which he finds to be highly amusing. As a director, Tom explains the process of working on a project, collaborating with the editor, and then handing it over to the producers and other professionals. Typically, he doesn't see the final result until it airs on TV. Despite expecting the cheese eating scene to be trimmed down, he believes they actually added more footage because they enjoyed it as much as he did. Tom acknowledges that Owen, the actor, played a significant role in making the moment funny, and they focused on capturing multiple takes to ensure its quality. Despite other exciting elements in the show, Tom was confident that this particular moment would be one of the funniest. He recalls shooting it with enjoyment and dedicating multiple takes to perfect how AI Guy would eat small cheese cubes.

I'm sure you shot out of order, but given how abruptly 303 ends, were you glad that you were able to dive right into 304 and pick that story back up?

Tom Marshall: Definitely. In season 2, there was initial talk of me joining, but ultimately, it didn't happen. That was reserved for the previous season's finale. However, this experience turned out to be much more fulfilling. Across these two episodes, it truly felt like a meaningful journey. The promises made in episode 3 were successfully followed up in episode 4. Despite being just two episodes, it felt like shooting a mini-movie. I had the opportunity to read some of the upcoming season's material, and there were a few moments that I thought, "Wow, I would have loved to be a part of that too." Nonetheless, I'm extremely satisfied with the role I played. Now, I get to enjoy the show as a fan. I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing how the rest of the series unfolds, both as a viewer and someone who was involved in its creation.

Regarding Nathan hiding his nosebleeds from Nora, it created a false sense of security for her. Now that the truth is out, how would you describe the dynamic between them moving forward?

Tom Marshall explains that one common flaw when it comes to the "will they/won't they" trope is that once the characters get together, the story becomes dull. However, in the show Upload, this is not the case because the characters are facing competition from the afterlife, life, death, and technology. This season, Nathan has been downloaded, but there is the added pressure of limited time before death and the potential danger of his head exploding due to their relationship. The unique aspect of Upload is that this is a real possibility. In other shows, viewers would assume that the main character's head would not actually explode, but in Upload, the concept of multiple versions of people, including uploads and downloads, makes it a viable threat. The actors aimed to effectively convey this sense of imminent danger. Additionally, the relationship between Nathan and Nora had certain undisclosed truths and Nora was somewhat deceived, but the technology-driven connection they had is ultimately beneficial in its own way.

The sudden emergence of everyday problems that every couple faces challenges them. We also relied on this aspect. It is truly remarkable to encounter a genuine human being once more, but being human also means carrying baggage and possessing flaws. Nathan, in particular, enjoys the fact that he has gained some weight, sporting a significant belly. The ideal man has returned, but he is almost like the analog version of what Nora is accustomed to. There is an abundance of material to explore in this season, and I believe it will keep the story fresh and captivating for all the fans.

In these episodes, a new romance for Aleesha is introduced. What kind of first impression did you want the audience to have of that relationship?

Tom Marshall: She ends up in a relationship with a woman, and I asked Greg if we had established her bisexuality or interest in women in previous episodes. Greg confirmed that we hadn't. This idea made me realize that in the near future, it wouldn't matter what someone's preference is when it comes to relationships. It would simply be about being attracted to whoever catches your eye. It felt significant, like we were making a statement.

But in reality, we're already at a point where people's sexualities are fluid. This concept is very much aligned with that. In Upload, we've created a world where people engage in sexual relationships with technology so frequently that it wouldn't be noteworthy for her to occasionally date women. It wouldn't be a big deal for anyone involved. We had a great time exploring this storyline and I truly believe it deserved the screen time it received.

How did you approach the dynamics between backup Nathan and Ingrid compared to the real Nathan and Nora?

Tom Marshall: We had numerous conversations, primarily between Robbie and myself. We delved into the differences that the Lakeview version of Nathan experienced, where he had an exhilarating rejuvenation similar to a honeymoon phase. He developed a newfound admiration for Ingrid, resembling the glow of someone immersed in the enchantment of a honeymoon period while also rediscovering his fondness for Lakeview. It contrasted starkly with the struggles of the real Nathan, who dealt with the burdens of weight, fatigue, and hunger. We depicted him literally scavenging for food, having previously reveled in the abundance of the Lakeview eat-what-you-want spreads.

About Upload Season 3

So all those real-world factors are having an impact and providing a contrast to Nathan in Lakeview. In reality, we would apply a bit of makeup to make him appear more tired, paler, and sweatier. These details all contribute to the development of a rivalry, which is what makes it so brilliant. Real-world Nathan becomes envious and threatened by his virtual self, creating a unique love triangle where two versions of the same person exist. This setup keeps the audience guessing about which version of Nora Nathan will ultimately be with, adding a lot of fun to the story.

Upload, the sci-fi comedy series, is the brainchild of Greg Daniels (Emmy-winning writer known for The Office, Parks and Recreation, and King of the Hill). The show takes place in a future world brimming with advanced technology - holographic phones, self-driving vehicles, AI assistants, and 3D food printers have become everyday fixtures. The concept of mortality is also reimagined, as individuals are now "uploaded" into a virtual reality afterlife, enjoying all the luxuries of a top-notch resort. Of course, such a digital afterlife comes at a price, making it an exclusive experience for those who can afford it.

Stay updated for further interviews featuring the cast and crew of Upload Season Three.

Executive Producer/Director Jeff Blitz

Director Dave Rogers

Director Alberto Belli

Director Sarah Boyd

Production Designer Rachel O’Toole

Source: Our website Plus

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the new season of Upload. I think it's great that they are exploring Nathan's dilemma and Aleesha's identity. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I think it's important to have shows that explore these kinds of topics because they can help people feel less alone. It's also important to have shows that are diverse and inclusive, so that everyone can feel represented. I think Upload is doing a great job of both of these things.