The story of android freedom and Alexander Skarsgard’s emotional performance in the finale of Murderbot
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The Android’s Unique Journey
Alexander Skarsgård’s Murderbot finally found freedom in the season finale, but not without emotional turmoil.
After narrowly escaping an acid bath, regaining his memories, and being removed from the company’s inventory, our favorite secret agent made a shocking decision.
The Story Behind the Acid Bath Scene
When asked about shooting this tense acid bath scene, Skarsgård explained his unique approach: “I saw myself as an animal going to the slaughterhouse.”
They wanted to show Murderbot as empty, not anxious, after being wiped out.
“When all the memories and individual characteristics are removed, what’s left? This hollow skeleton of an android,” Skarsgård explained.
The scene touches viewers even more because it’s our Murderbot, but without his distinctive parts.
That touching goodbye
The final scene between Murderbot and Gurathin (David Dastmalchian) wasn’t just emotional on screen — it was actually the final day of shooting.
“I probably can’t talk about it without crying,” Skarsgård admitted. “It was our last scene after six months in Toronto.
It was hard to stop crying. I’m a damn android, I shouldn’t cry!”
The new meaning of “check the perimeter”
That simple sentence — Murderbot’s excuse to be left alone — became a perfect sweet-bitter goodbye.
“Throughout the show, ‘check the perimeter’ has been a way for him to walk away from the group. But this time it means something else,” Skarsgård said.
Despite loving humans deeply, Murderbot must find its own way.
What will be the next step for our favorite android?
With the confirmation of Season 2, Skarsgård hinted at new directions while acknowledging the original material.
“I remember when we did True Blood, the first book was very accurate, but then we went down a slightly different path,” he explained.
“Some things work better in the book and some on TV.”
Though fans of the books know ART might show up next season, Skarsgård hinted that the show might keep some of the “great relationships” from Season 1 around longer than the books do.
After all, who wouldn’t want to spend more time with the galaxy’s coolest clients?