The Apple TV+ brand new science fiction series, released only a few days ago, is already making waves and claims to be the next big hit. Standing along the network’s sci-fi hits, such as Silo and The Foundation, the sarcastic and socially awkward Murderbot is leaving fans wanting for more.
With only 10 episodes in season 1 but 7 books, and maybe an 8th one in the works, fans of the show are already asking and hoping for a second season. However, since it is closely based on the books, the second season (if it happens) will not be exactly as you expect it.
Murderbot Potential Season 2 Issues
Murderbot is already a hit among many fans and critics. Almost every review and critic is giving it very positive reviews.
- IMDB: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes
- 98% Avg. Tomatometer
- 75% Avg. Audience Score
- Decider: 80
- IGN: 80
- Vulture: 70
- Entertainment Weekly 67
- and many others
With raving reviews such as these, we are highly expecting Apple TV+ to renew the show for another season. However, there is a possible problem with adapting the second book into season 2 of the show.
Recently, the showrunners, Paul and Chris Weitz, have spoken to the NPN network about the show and its potential second season and mentioned a possible change from the order of the books.
When asked about a possible season 2 of Murderbot, Paul said:
.. we might end up using shuffling the deck a little bit, using some stuff from, say the 3rd or 4th book with stuff from the second book, but we don’t know yet.
His brother Chris echoed the sentiment by reinforcing the idea that losing the main characters of the first season would be a shame, and that they would have to change the order of the books to fit the narrative of the show.
I think the second book for people who are familiar with the series doesn’t really have the same team members, and I think it would be sad if we didn’t have some element of that. It’s not likely to be a book for book.
Of course, all of that is dependent on the author, Martha Wells, and her involvement in the show and acceptance for future seasons.
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What Is Murderbot Book 2 (Artificial Condition) About?
If you are familiar with The Murderbot Diaries book series, which features 7 books (so far), you will know that in book two, things change. Artificial Condition of the second novel of The Murderbot Diaries, directly following the first book, All Systems Red. However, adapting the show in order of the books poses a problem.
In Artificial Condition, the story still follows our favorite SecUnit, Murderbot. He is done with the events of the first book and is on a mission to uncover the truth behind the traumatic incident: the massacre of the RaviHyral mining facility.
The RaviHyral mining facility is where he hacked his governor module to become autonomous. However, as we’ve seen in the first episode of the show, he has some faded memories of some past events where murder and mayhem are happening.
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This does not sit well with him, and he goes to investigate what has really happened to him and why he decided to name himself Murderbot.
To reach RaviHyral, he partners with a sentient research transport ship he nicknames ART (Assholes Research Transport), due to its sarcastic demeanor (and for our viewing pleasure of course).
Murderbot has to infiltrate the facility by joining a group of scientists and understand what has really happened to him in the past.
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So What Is The Issue?
If season 2 of Murderbot follows the same story as the books, this creates an issue where a whole new cast of scientists needs to be introduced into the world. This, of course, is a production nightmare that requires new characters to be written, new actors to be cast, etc.
This would not be the best way to film a TV show that requires continuity and progression of the characters.
We are more likely to see Murderbot season 2 jump straight into the events of book 4, Exit Strategy, where Murderbot reunites with the crew of the first season. In Exit Strategy, Dr. Mensah is kidnapped by GrayCris Corporation, and Murderbot has to go on a rescue mission in order to save her.
This is a more likely outcome and scenario for Murderbot season 2, if it is greenlit in the future.
