What Makes 'Upload' Season 3 Hilariously Terrifying

Article Summary

In Upload, technology and capitalism's future progress are a source of both amusement and terror. This is evident in instances like the presence of digital infants and virtual reality outfits designed for simulated sexual experiences.

In Season 3 of Upload, the episode "Cyber Discount Day" accentuates the extravagance and commercialism of festive occasions, resembling Thanksgiving and Black Friday. This is achieved through the portrayal of three-dimensional printed meals and enticing bargains.

The show delves into the concept of side hustles and the undeniable influence of capitalism, even within the virtual realm of Upload.

Upload, a Prime Video series, revolves around a deceptively simple question: What if you could conquer death? The story follows Nathan Brown (played by Robbie Amell) as he is transferred to Lakeview, a digital afterlife, after a fatal car accident. Within Lakeview, Nathan encounters "Angels," who serve as customer representatives, with Nora (played by Andy Allo) becoming someone he forms a special connection with. The residents of Lakeview can enhance their living conditions, including access to better food, lodging, and other perks, by purchasing paid upgrades. This creates a noticeable divide between those who can afford these luxuries and those who cannot. Throughout Upload, the show cleverly uses the advancements of the future, which cater to late-stage capitalism, as a source of humor. Whether it involves the concept of digital babies (yes, a real plot point) or a virtual reality suit that enables simulated sexual experiences, this digital dystopia showcases both amusing and frightening technological progressions.

That satire reaches new heights in Season 3 of Upload. At the end of Season 2, Nathan's consciousness is successfully transferred into his repaired body, complete with a new head, allowing him to finally pursue a relationship with Nora. However, there's a problem: his body is deteriorating and his head is on the verge of exploding. This is compounded by the fact that his death was not accidental, and a copy of his consciousness is still residing in Lakeview, living a life with Ingrid, Real Nathan's ex-girlfriend, but lacking some of his memories. The show delves into the intricacies of the relationships between Real Nathan and Nora, Backup Nathan and Ingrid, as well as the misadventures of Luke, Nathan's Upload friend. Additionally, we witness Aleesha, Nora's friend and co-worker, navigating the corporate world in her quest for success. Along the way, Upload Season 3 takes a hilariously exaggerated approach in depicting futuristic technology and its impact on society in the 2030s.

Upload

A man has the ability to select his own afterlife following his premature demise by having his consciousness transferred into a virtual realm. As he adjusts to his new existence and forms a bond with his real-world handler, who is an angel, inquiries about his death begin to surface.

Scheduled for release on May 1, 2020, this comedy series stars Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Kevin Bigley, Zainab Johnson, Allegra Edwards, and Owen Daniels. It falls under the main genre of comedy and blends elements of science fiction. With three seasons, the show is written by Greg Daniels.

'Upload' Season 3 Presents Cyber Discount Day

Image via Prime Video

A prime example of this can be seen in Upload Season 3, Episode 3, titled "Cyber Discount Day," where the show takes its satire to new heights. The majority of the episode revolves around Nathan and Nora spending the national holiday with Nathan's mother Viv (played by Jessica Tuck). They desperately try to gather enough money for a special dinner for the commune they reside in. Meanwhile, Aleesha is forced to work in Lakeview while hosting her family for Cyber Discount Day, and Ingrid grapples with her family cutting off her financial support. This episode vividly showcases the absurdity of the holiday. Instead of cooking, people rely on 3D printers to create their meals, a recurring theme in the series. Aleesha hilariously prints a ham and her family sprays ham flavoring onto it. Nathan even manages to procure a printed turkey that tastes like ham for his loved ones. At the same time, Lakeview offers a range of dining options, from extravagant buffets to low-budget "Penny Pincher" meals that resemble cafeteria food.

Ultimately, Cyber Discount Day feels like the culmination of a holiday season overrun by consumerism, and the Upload writers cleverly exploit this concept. The notion of coming together and sharing a meal evokes strong Thanksgiving vibes; in fact, it is heavily implied that Cyber Discount Day has replaced Thanksgiving altogether. The 3D-printed food and relentless pursuit of deals also reflect the chaotic nature of Black Friday, a symbol of excessive capitalism. After all, why bother with cooking or spending quality time with family when you can snatch up the latest discounts? Cyber Discount Day also serves as a thinly veiled satire of Prime Day, the annual event where Amazon Prime members can indulge in exclusive bargains. Even on the set of Upload, there are Amazon boxes strategically placed (albeit without the visible logo), and Lakeview's residents are encouraged by the AI Guys, specifically Owen Daniels, to make upgrades through purchases.

Nobody Is Safe From The Side Hustle In 'Upload'

Image via Prime Video

The depiction of side hustles in Upload is one of its most impactful connections to the real world. Nathan, Nora, and Aleesha all take on additional work to support themselves, highlighting the struggle to balance financial needs with personal relationships. Even the Uploads, who are meant to live perpetually in the digital realm, face similar challenges. Luke's discovery that a program allowing veterans to stay in Lakeview is ending forces him to become a telemarketer in the Grey Zone, illustrating the desperate measures Uploads may take to maintain their lifestyle. This reality is made even more terrifying by the fact that working is strictly forbidden for Uploads. The thought of being financially dependent even in death is a haunting concept, although it provides rich material for humor and storytelling.

'Upload' Season 3 Continues to Find Funny and Terrifying Ways to Comment on Capitalism and Technology

Upload's depiction of the future of society manages to be simultaneously darkly funny and alarmingly plausible. Even within the confines of virtual reality, the dreams of the Uploads are not safe—they can be downloaded and traded as forms of entertainment. Aleesha experiences the harsh reality of this when she discovers that her colleague Lucy has been profiting from Luke's erotic fantasies involving her, breaching the boundaries of consent and ethical standards once again. The existence of this future society poses some unsettling questions on a larger scale. If printed food is now the norm, how many individuals, like Ingrid's family, still consume actual, physical food? Furthermore, in a scenario where one's consciousness is both alive and existing as a copy in a virtual paradise, it becomes difficult to determine the authenticity and reality of the copy in relation to the original.

Upload creator Greg Daniels has clearly been pondering over something, especially regarding the transformation Season 3 is undergoing. "Season 3 delves into a storyline where Aleesha takes on the responsibility of handling the machine, acquainting herself with AI, and instilling a sense of humanity and values into it," he revealed in an interview with Our website. Daniels' intuition was spot on; as Aleesha assumes more duties in her new role, she witnesses the extents to which her colleagues are willing to go for financial gain, and how little they value the Uploads they are tasked with assisting. Daniels has also hinted at the likelihood of a fourth season, indicating that Upload's unique blend of humor and horror is set to persist as long as the series continues.

New episodes of Upload Season 3 are available every Friday on a weekly basis.

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Editor's P/S

Upload Season 3 is a hilarious and terrifying look at the future of technology and capitalism. The show's depiction of a world where everything is for sale, even life itself, is both funny and thought-provoking. The episode "Cyber Discount Day" is a perfect example of the show's ability to blend humor and horror.

The episode takes place on a national holiday that celebrates consumerism. People are encouraged to buy as much as they can, and the episode shows the lengths that some people will go to in order to get the best deals. One character even goes so far as to sell her own organs in order to buy a new virtual reality suit. The episode is both funny and disturbing, and it raises important questions about the role of capitalism in our society.

Upload Season 3 is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in the future of technology and capitalism. The show's unique blend of humor and horror will keep you entertained from start to finish.