TV Review: Is Amazon’s Sci-Fi Comedy Series “Upload” Worth Watching?

I’m going to say upfront that the Amazon Prime Video service is one that I’ve never really “loved.” 

Sure, there are a couple of the service’s original series — “Bosch” and “Jack Ryan” — that I’ve really enjoyed the past few years. 

But a lot of the original content failed to grab me. 

I’m sure that’s an unfair sentiment on my part. I’d imagine many of you have worthwhile recommendations you could make. 

Bridget and I decided to try the new sci-fi comedy series “Upload” based on a number of commercials we’d seen for the show on network television. 

“Upload” was created by Greg Daniels, the mind behind the U.S. version of “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “King of the Hill.” He is also the creator of the Netflix series “Space Force.”

“Upload” takes place on Earth in the near future (2033 to be exact) and tells the story of a world where people have the ability to upload a digital version of themselves into a digital afterlife of their choice. 

Some people are better able to afford a comfortable afterlife than others (similar in concept to varying funeral ceremony and burial arrangements of the present). 

The show’s protagonist is Nathan Brown (Robbie Amell, who I’d describe as a “low rent Tom Cruise”), a 27-year-old computer programmer who sustains fatal injuries in a freak car accident and ends up in Lake View, a ritzy resort world that is considered one of the best afterlife options. 

His girlfriend Ingrid Kannerman (Allegra Edwards), a wealthy socialite, foots the bill for Nathan’s stay, hoping they’ll be able to eventually spend all eternity together in Lake View.  

Much of the first season of “Upload” is dedicated to Nathan adjusting to “digital heaven.” 

The immersive afterlife is something akin to the world featured in the Kristen Bell comedy “The Good Place.” In fact, the whole vibe of “Upload” is similar in nature (except it leans more toward the sci-fi end of the spectrum and is less fantastical). 

Nathan initially feels listless in his new environment, but soon forges a special bond with his afterlife handler (referred to as an “angel”) Nora Antony (Andy Allo) — an employee at Horizen, the New York City company that owns Lake View. (I get the sense that Horizen is modeled on Verizon, what with the references to data caps vs. unlimited data.)

Throughout “Upload’s” 10-episode first season (each episode runs about 30 minutes) the narrative veers between Nathan’s existence in a computer and the real world exploits of the people he interacts with. 

While the show is far from perfect — and appeals to a very specific taste — it is pretty entertaining. 

The cast is also likable. I wasn’t sure initially whether Robbie Amell could capably carry the show as the main protagonist, but I grew to like his character as the season wore on. Nathan’s arc in the story is somewhat predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. 

I thought Andy Allo did a nice job as the “angel” Nora. Her performance struck the right balance, and you could feel her inner conflict as she dealt the moral dilemma of what exactly defines a relationship in 2033. 

I should also note that a subplot is introduced early on about a business venture Nathan was involved in with his friend Jamie (Jordan Johnson-Hinds) that would provide afterlife services free of charge to the populace. 

Something I didn’t think was necessary was some of the more gratuitous “grown up” content in the season (the show is rated TV-MA). While various cable and streaming outlets give creators more “freedom” with content, sometimes the resultant effect can “cheapen” a show. 

I think of all the iconic episodes of “Seinfeld” that successfully navigated the network standards and practices personnel. If “Seinfeld” had been on an outlet like HBO, an episode like “The Contest” might not have been as compelling. 

It’s a minor quibble, but I think the show (which has been renewed for a second season) would benefit from some judicious trimming. 

Overall, I enjoyed the first season of “Upload.” While it would benefit from some tweaks next season, it is a program worth installing into your viewing lineup. 

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TV Review: “Bosch” Season 4 is Taut Noir Cool

A couple of months ago I had a blog post titled “You Should Be Watching Amazon’s ‘Bosch’." Not only do I believe it is the finest show in Amazon’s Prime Video lineup, I think it is one of the best detective procedurals today. 

Season 4 of “Bosch” debuted on the streaming platform on Thursday, April 12 (earlier than the announced release date of April 13). Bridget and I stayed up until 1 a.m. last night finishing all 10 episodes. 

The latest season doesn’t dissuade my effusive feelings for the show. In fact, the fourth season of “Bosch” might be the best of the series. 

Detective Harry Bosch is back...and on the case. 

This season finds our protagonist investigating the murder of a lawyer named Howard Elias (Clark Johnson) who was prepping for a court case involving brutality claims against the LAPD. 

Elias has a reputation for taking on the department. As such, there is concern that a cop gunned down the unwary attorney on “Angels Flight” — a quaint tram located in the Bunker Hill district of Los Angeles. (This season is based on Michael Connelly’s novel “Angels Flight.”) 

Bosch is put in charge of a task force working to dig up clues and bring the murderer to justice. Their job is made all the more difficult by civil unrest in the community, politics within the police department, and issues in Harry’s personal life. 

What I find so refreshing about “Bosch” is the fact that the show works to “keep it real.” Authenticity is a hallmark of Connelly’s novels. 

In an era where police procedurals have become somewhat lazy as it regards “rapid forensic proof” and “super computers” that churn out ludicrous results, it is nice to have a detective show that deals authentically with the “analog realities” of police investigations. 

Like the previous seasons of “Bosch,” the fourth outing in the series features multiple threads twisting, turning, and ultimately converging into an intricately woven plot that requires thoughtful analysis from the viewer. 

It is wonderful to see a show so deftly work to hook viewers into the investigation. You feel like you’re right there alongside the terse and dogged Bosch as he questions suspects, slogs through boxes of evidence, analyzes security camera footage, and puts shoe leather to pavement in pursuit of the truth. 

At the show’s core is Titus Welliver — a perfectly cast actor who was hand-picked by the author to play the titular character Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch. 

Welliver brings a sensibility to the show that adds to the authenticity. 

Being reliable is the name of the game for each season of “Bosch.” The show is stylish because it is inherently unstylish. This isn’t a tome that relies on fancy transitions or extreme color grading in its execution. 

Instead, “Bosch” goes for the lived-in look, presents Los Angeles as it is, and chooses actors who look like regular people. 

Other standout performances this season include Madison Lintz (as Bosch’s daughter Maddie), Paul Calderon (as the feisty Det. Santiago Robertson), Lance Redick (as Deputy Chief Irvin Irving), and Jamie Hector (as Det. Jerry Edgar). 

But what makes the show such an interesting tapestry is the small roles and supporting players stitched into the various story arcs. 

For example, we gained more insight this season into the “Koreatown Killer” (a thread started in the third season). 

If you haven’t watched “Bosch,” I encourage you to check it out. It is available for Amazon Prime subscribers (for all you videophiles out there, all four seasons of the show are also available to stream in 4K). 

“Bosch” is taut noir cool. 

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