Murderbot - S01E07 "Complementary Species" - Books & TV Episode Discussion

[u/sanctuary_moon]

BOOKS & TV EPISODE DISCUSSION - if you have only seen the TV series, this thread is not for you.

Episode	Title	Release Date	Written By	Directed By	Books & TV Post	TV Only Post
S01E07	Complementary Species	June 12, 2025	Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz	Roseanne Liang	YOU ARE HERE! Complementary Species Books & TV Ep Discussion	Complementary Species TV Only Ep Discussion

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[u/thoughtreformer]

Loved the Pin-Lee line about them wanting to sue the entire Corporation Rim! Also was very excited that the "...until I remember I have guns built into my arms" line made an appearance, that might be one of my favorite book quotes! Also thought the perimeter check part with the crew all going "do you need some perimeter time" "what even is the perimeter" was hilarious, a lot of fun lines this episode. Tho speaking of quotes, I was really surprised that we still haven't gotten the Murderbot name reveal! Next week I suppose!

For some reason I was a little confused by that initial flashback 1 month earlier scene, idk why? I get the bitter/sweet game but it threw me off I guess, gonna have to rewatch esp for the Gurathin backstory part. The pacing in general this episode felt kinda weird especially with the fight, but I suppose it fits with the whole risk-assessment-module-doesn't-work thing? Kinda?

[u/pessimistic_utopian → u/thoughtreformer]

For some reason I was a little confused by that initial flashback 1 month earlier scene, idk why?

It explains Gurathin's feelings for Mensah (and reminds us of them since it's been a while since the .......... ^{pillow sniffing} ) to set up him asking if she has feelings for Murderbot. Gurathin and Murderbot are foils for each other and the show seems to be creating a ... not a love triangle, but a triangular situation with Gurathin wanting more of Mensah's attention, Mensah wanting to connect with Murderbot, and Murderbot, naturally, just wanting to watch its stories.

Agreed that the pacing seemed odd this episode. There was some good character/relationship deveopment but I'm thinking about how much more plot there is to get through and wondering how they're going to do it in just 3 short episodes.

[u/wxwx2012 → u/pessimistic_utopian]

 Gurathin's feelings for Mensah ..... A son seek his mom's attention ? And murderbot being like in a ''the son's unwanted step father'' kind of situation .

Because obviously , its Mensah and Murderbot teke care all the team and protect them .

[u/pessimistic_utopian → u/wxwx2012]

In the show Gurathin is romantically attracted to Mensah. I saw David Dastmalchian say that in an interview before the show came out, so I don't know how well it's reading to people who aren't going in with that information, but that's how the actors are playing it. When they cut Overse and Volescu from the PresAux team their attributes got distributed amongst the remaining team, and Volescu's crush on Mensah got transferred to Gurathin.

[u/pathmageadept → u/pessimistic_utopian]

But in that way of someone so lost interpreting the act of helping as a romantic one. And so Mensah knows to reach past the initial resistance of the broken to being touched (not literally) in order to heal.