Created by Greg Daniels for Amazon Prime, Upload is a darkly comedic sci-fi drama series set in 2033, where human beings have the ability to upload their consciousness into a digital after-life. Much of the drama concerns Nathan Brown (Robbie Amell), a computer scientist who opts to enter virtual heaven and meets various people who help him figure out how and why he died prematurely.
After the 10-episode first season aired in 2020, Upload returned in March of 2022 with a truncated 7-episode run. At first blush, it appears that IMDb users favor the first season more than the second, with each season tending to grow stronger as it progresses.
The Sleepover (S1E6)
While it’s worth noting that two episodes from season 2 (“Mind Frisk” and “The Outing”) both share an equal 7.7 rating, “The Sleepover” has more total votes than them combined. The story concerns Ingrid (Allegra Edwards) inviting Nathan’s niece Nevaeh (Chloe Coleman) over for a slumber party and Nora (Andy Allo) going on a Nitely date. Both instances shake Nathan to the core.
Marking the halfway point of the first season, one IMDb users note that the installment feels like a filler episode in the first half and gets noticeably better in the second half. Another praised the increased presence of Luke (Kevin Bigley) and the adult hijinks Nevaeh witnesses.
Bring Your Dad To Work Day (S1E7) – 7.7
The battle between Uploads and Luddites ensues in “Bring Your Dad to Work Day,” in which Nathan takes Nora’s dad Dave (Chris Williams) on an upload-decision tour on the well-received Amazon Prime original series. When anti-tech hackers throw a wrench in Lakeview’s system and halt the tour, Nora snoops around for answers to Josh’s death and Nathan’s past.
Despite earning 1.4k votes, only one IMDb voter commented on the episode, noting how well the character beats moved and how wonderful the relationship between Nathan and Dave was. However, due to the annoying side characters, the voter isn’t keen on rewatching it.
The Sex Suit (S1E4) 7.7
Things get awkwardly racy in a hurry during “The Sex Suit,” a hilarious and tender episode in which Nathan and his girlfriend Ingrid discuss the challenges of romantic intimacy between a human and an upload. Ingrid refuses to use a VR suit to have sex with him, prompting major impotence insecurities that Nathan must deal with. Meanwhile, Nathan and Nora begin to make a deeper connection.
While the episode advances some of the romantic storylines, one IMDb user noted Fran’s (Elizabeth Bowen) awkward investigation of Nathan’s accident as a high point in the episode.
Five Stars (S1E2) – 7.7
According to IMDb, there was no sophomore slump for the second episode of the beloved Amazon Prime original drama show. Written and directed by showrunner Greg Daniels, the focus of “Five Stars” is clear. As Nora works to increase her ratings so she can orchestrate her father’s upload process, Nathan adjusts to his crazy new environs, including his Labrador Retriever therapist.
While one IMDb voter notes the improved writing from the pilot episode, another thinks the pilot had more laughs while also praising the crackling dialogue. Yet another gave the episode a 5/10, noting Dave’s death via vape lung as downright ludicrous.
Welcome To Upload (S1E1) – 7.7
The novel premise of the stellar streaming sci-fi comedy show’s pilot episode is too compelling to omit from the fray. With far more votes than any other episode (2.1k), the opener sets the stakes, establishes the characters, and frames the entire series with its absurd sense of humor. Plot-wise, Nathan suffers a fatal self-driving car accident, only to wake up in Lakeview, digital heaven of sorts.
While most episodes adhere to the 25-30 minute sitcom format, the pilot opens with 46-minutes of content for fresh viewers to enjoy. IMDb users are quick to note the similarities with The Good Place, while others consider it a unique take on a well-worn subject.
Shopping Other Digital After-Lives (S1E8) – 7.9
As the title suggests, the antepenultimate episode of season 1 finds Nathan considering a different afterlife plan following his rejection from Nora, which really came from Lucy (Andrea Rosen) in a disguised avatar. Meanwhile, sunny Los Angeles takes center stage when Nora goes to help Ingrid prevent Nathan from fleeing Lakeview.
In a markedly romantic episode that furthers the dynamic between Nathan and Nora, the common IMDb refrain suggests that the protagonist’s interactions are sweet-natured and touching, with compelling characterizations taking precedent over the overarching plot in a somewhat maddening way.
Download (S2E7) – 8.0
The season 2 finale of Upload, aptly entitled “Download,” left audiences with a massive cliffhanger to drum up fervid anticipation for season 3. Nathan broke up with Ingrid when she revealed she was a clone, opting to enter the cloned body to access the Freeyond backdoor code. Plot and character converge in the most riveting ways.
Elsewhere, Nora teams up with the Luddites to hyperloop back to L.A., where she and Nathan finally consummate their budding romance. Of the six IMDb comments on the episode, most agree it was a great episode that also felt rushed, while others felt cheated by the cliffhanger that will take a long time to resolve.
The Grey Market (S1E5) – 8.0
The title of episode 5 refers to an illegal hackers’ bazaar located deep in cyberspace, a place Nathan and his new friends travel to deal with a teenager’s uploaded body that is not complying with their age. Meanwhile, Dave’s vape lung continues to deteriorate.
Despite the high rating, the three IMDb comments about “The Grey Market” are pretty critical, labeling it a filler episode at best, forced and overrated at worst. However, the overarching mystery of Nathan’s fatal accident remains compelling, and the intimate interplay between Nathan, Ingrid, and Nora is still heartfelt and moving.
Update Eve – (S1E9) – 8.1
On the day before Lakeview makes major upgrades to its system, Nathan and Nora hunt for the former’s missing memories in the penultimate episode of season 1. As they work together through the night, Nathan and Nora continue to grow closer, providing some of the show’s most romantic moments and best quotes of the entirety of Upload.
Whereas some criticized prioritizing character over plot in certain episodes, the lone IMDb commenter calls “Update Eve” the number one episode overall in terms of quality precisely because it advances the plot more than most.
Freeyond (S1E10) – 8.2
According to IMDb, the season one finale of Upload is the best to date. Indeed, “Freeyond” finds Nora in grave physical danger as a result of Nathan’s repressed memories coming to the surface and causing him great emotional confusion. Feeling guilty, he pretends to have never known Nora, a mistruth he cannot stand by once an assailant attacks her in a lift.
With far more comments than any other episode, most praised the brilliant cliffhanger that ended the season, leaving them wanting more immediately. A few detractors aside, most IMDb users voiced their intense desire to continue watching as soon as season 2 aired.
