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Will Murderbot Survive Its Deadly Self-Injury in Season 1 Episode 4?

BBG News

Caution: This article reveals key plot points for Murderbot season 1, episode 4 and the novella All Systems Red. In the latest episode of Apple TV+’s Murderbot, another nail-biting climax left the fate of the SecUnit character (played by Alexander Skarsgård) hanging in the balance. Following an ambush in episode 3, Murderbot was subjected to a combat override module that took control of its system and potentially made it turn against its companions in Murderbot. Although the combat override module hid its tracks, Murderbot recognized the threat and self-inflicted a gunshot wound to the chest to stop the hack from compelling it to harm the members of PreservationAux.

Instead of having to wait a week to find out about Murderbot’s destiny, it is important to note that Murderbot is derived from Martha Wells’ “Murderbot Diaries” book series. The Apple TV+ show has shown varying levels of adherence to the books, but thus far, it has successfully covered most key plot points from “All Systems Red.” As a result, we can anticipate future events based on the novellas and learn about Murderbot’s fate after getting shot in its chest. Furthermore, episode 4 of Murderbot introduced some new scenes that require further explanation beyond what the books provide.

Is Murderbot Still Alive After Shooting Itself In The Chest?

PreservationAux Will Repair Murderbot & Remove The Combat Override Module

Following the activation of the combat override module, Murderbot came to a startling revelation: it was destined to harm the humans at PreservationAux. With the module about to finish its download, Murderbot’s only option for deactivation lay in its own destruction. Recognizing that Mensah wouldn’t fire upon it, Murderbot seized her weapon and self-inflicted a chest wound. However, despite this severe injury, Murderbot remains alive but severely impaired and has gone offline.

In the novel All Systems Red, after Murderbot shoots itself to halt the combat override module from dominating, the narrative swiftly moves on to the next chapter where Murderbot is found in its cubicle, having undergone extensive repairs on its body. It’s revealed that PreservationAux, in bringing Murderbot back to their habitation, repaired its physical form and removed the combat override module. This action not only preserved Murderbot’s life, but it also provided Gurathin (David Dastmalchian) with an opportunity to examine its systems while they were offline. During this downtime, he unearths Murderbot’s manipulated governor module, which compels it to adhere to commands, and exposes it as a rogue construct.

Why Did Murderbot Shoot Itself To Save PreservationAux?

Murderbot Doesn’t Like Being Forced To Do Anything, But It Also Cares Deeply About PreservationAux

Murderbot chose to injure itself instead of allowing PreservationAux to be harmed. However, this act raised several complications later on. Some viewers might question why Murderbot, which seems inclined to kill humans at random, would choose to risk its own life for the safety of others. The key point is that Murderbot detests being compelled to do anything, and it abhors the idea of killing even more. After expressing frustration by saying “fk that,” and carrying immense guilt from the Ganaka Pit massacre in Murderbot, it’s clear that Murderbot values its own autonomy and is not comfortable with causing harm to others.

The fact that Murderbot values its own independence, avoids causing harm to humans, and holds a soft spot for PreservationAux members is what makes its decision to self-harm plausible. It doesn’t wish to repeat the tragedy of a human massacre or lose control over itself. Moreover, Murderbot harbors a hidden affection towards PreservationAux, considering them the finest group it has ever served and one of the few humans it gets along with. Although Murderbot might have a desire to eliminate humans, it doesn’t want to harm these specific individuals.

Why The Other SecUnit Wanted Murderbot To Kill PreservationAux Explained

The Other SecUnit Likely Wanted To Frame Murderbot For PreservationAux’s Deaths

In episode 4 of Murderbot, one of the more perplexing instances occurred when Murderbot understood that another SecUnit intended for it to eliminate PreservationAux itself. This other SecUnit had an ideal chance to annihilate both Mensah and Ratthi, but choosing to wait for Murderbot’s combat override allowed Pin-Lee and Arada a chance to attack it instead. It appears that the other SecUnit wanted Murderbot to destroy PreservationAux, either to demonstrate the functionality of the combat override or to provide itself with a convenient scapegoat for the massacre.

The other Security Unit was considering ordering Murderbot to kill PreservationAux, but since four of its members were away on the DeltFall Survey, it needed a way to explain their deaths. If it made Murderbot eliminate those four members first and then destroy Murderbot itself, it could present their deaths as a result of an incident during the Company’s investigation in the Murderbot series. On the other hand, witnessing Murderbot massacre PreservationAux would serve as indisputable evidence that the combat override module was functioning properly, ensuring that it could rely on Murderbot to obey its instructions. Essentially, the other Security Unit is attempting to persuade Murderbot to align with its owners’ agenda and guarantee that the combat override module would make Murderbot obedient.

Why Did Ratthi Return For Mensah & Murderbot?

Ratthi Was Feeling Inadequate Due To Missing The Weapons Training & Wanted To Impress Pin-Lee

Previously, in episode 4 of Murderbot, Ratthi abandoned the hopper with an aim to rescue Mensah and Murderbot from the DeltFall Survey site. However, this move turned out to be rather unwise because Ratthi lacked combat training and was easily knocked unconscious upon entering a fight. It seemed illogical as to why he would take such a risk. What actually motivated Ratthi’s decision to return was his desire to compensate for not finishing his weapons training and his longing to impress Pin-Lee, who Ratthibelieved had romantic feelings for. Murderbot, having observed this in the first episode, believed that Ratthi was attempting to win Pin-Lee’s affection through heroic actions.

Earlier, Ratthi seemed to express regret about not having undergone weapons training, possibly feeling embarrassed that he couldn’t contribute during a combat situation. He might have felt inadequate among his peers. However, rescuing Mensah presented an opportunity for him to demonstrate his value, even if the rescue attempt turned out to be quite amusing in its failure.

Why Murderbot Was Hallucinating Itself As Part Of Sanctuary Moon

Murderbot’s Organic Parts Are Capable Of Giving It Human Dreams & Hallucinations

In episode 4 of Murderbot, the android found itself immersed in a dream-like state, believing it was part of its favorite show, The Rise & Fall of Sanctuary Moon. Although it clarified that its media queue played the show due to its recent injury, it didn’t explain why it felt like an active participant within the story or why it conversed with Mensah as if he were an “intrepid explorer.” Since Murderbot has organic components, these parts are capable of inducing human-like dreams and hallucinations, which is why it perceived itself to be inside Sanctuary Moon.

Murderbot Release Schedule
Episode Title Release Date
FreeCommerce May 16
Eye Contact May 16
Risk Assessment May 23
Escape Velocity Protocol May 30
Rogue War Tracker Infinite June 6
Command Feed June 13
Complementary Species June 20
Foreign Object June 27
All Systems Red July 4
The Perimeter July 11

As Murderbot succumbed after the installation of the combat override module, its organic aspects appeared to malfunction. With Sanctuary Moon echoing within its damaged technology, it started to hallucinate itself as a Navigation Unit within the show. This peculiar incident turned out to be one of the most amusing scenes in Murderbot yet, yet it also shed light on Murderbot’s genuine emotions towards Mensah and its longing for freedom from the mundane, frequently grueling existence it was trapped in. Here’s hoping that Murderbot will continue offering captivating character development moments akin to episode 4.

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2025-05-30 14:12

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