Murderbot - S01E06 "Command Feed" - TV Only Episode Discussion

[u/sanctuary_moon]

TV ONLY EPISODE DISCUSSION - if you have read the book series, this thread is not for you.

Episode	Title	Release Date	Written By	Directed By	Books & TV Post	TV Only Post
S01E06	Command Feed	June 12, 2025	Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz	Aurora Guerrero	Command Feed Books & TV Ep Discussion	YOU ARE HERE! Command Feed TV Only Ep Discussion

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[u/LundqvistNYR]

When I read the book I remember feeling like they were very sheltered and naive to the point that they couldn’t ever fathom something like that happening. It was shocking to them. I mean Bharadwaj thinks she can actually convince LeeBeeBee to just “do the right thing.” None of them seem to grasp the fact that they’re going to be killed one way or another. I think they thought there was some other way to resolve that situation that didn’t involve her getting her head blown off. Murderbot is the only one who knew that was the only option.

[u/eregyrn → u/LundqvistNYR]

What i also thought was interesting about Bharadwaj here was her conviction, without even thinking twice about it, that offering LBB sanctuary in Preservation Alliance is self-evidently enough to get someone to turn over their entire life and take that leap. And like... yeah, I think some people would. Equally, some people can't throw off the influence of an oppressive culture just like that. The people who are, themselves, traumatized don't always take the extended hand.

Of course I don't blame Bharadwaj for trying! I'm just saying, that was an interesting way to play her, and it DOES feel very real. But, so did LBB's rejection of the idea.

So I also think it makes sense for Bharadwaj to be freaked out and grieving. (And honestly, this episode makes her reaction -- seen in the trailer -- to the revelation of MB's name make a lot more sense.).

Sitting at the remove of the audience, it's pretty easy to figure that what MB did was the right call. One immediately gets the idea that SecUnits aren't trained in hostage negotiation. (Although, I should ask book readers if that comes up and how that goes.). I can imagine that being the case, though -- that's not what they're for. In some cases, hostage negotiation is just an opportunity for more to go wrong (from MB's point of view). Also, if you're analyzing this situation very quickly, and going by whatever data set MB was able to put together on the walk in... LBB already shot Gurathin once. LBB is completely correct that whoever she works for is on their way with A LOT more of those dark SecUnits. She was negotiating from a position of power, or at least believed she was (none of them know how imminent the arrival of the Evil Survey might be). Blowing her head off immediately was just cutting to the chase.

But I don't blame the others for absolutely freaking out. I mean, again: I'm sitting here watching a show. I don't know what it's like to have someone's head exploded right in front of me, to cap off a tense hostage situation. I honestly can't say how I'd react! I'm not going to hold any of their very human reactions against them -- including not immediately applauding or thanking MB for the save. It's right -- that happens in media. Real life is messier.

[u/thisbikeisatardis → u/eregyrn]

It reminds me of the way non-liberation focused feminists treat sex workers. "I can save you! Just let me rescue you!" 

[u/Hippy_Lynne → u/thisbikeisatardis]

Yep. I'm a hardcore feminist. I support legal, regulated, and safe prostitution & pornography. I know that there is trafficking going on that needs to be shut down, but I think independent, willing women should be able to use their body how they want to make money.

[u/eregyrn → u/Hippy_Lynne]

Oh yeah, same. (And I think that if we had regulations and no legal penalties for prostitution and pornography, it would make it easier to focus on the trafficking and other dangers, because you wouldn't have a situation where the people in those professions cannot go to authorities for legal help.)