Content Warning: This article contains spoilers for Upload Season 2 on Amazon Prime Video.
With Upload having been renewed for season 3, fans are ecstatic to see what the writers will have in store for the future. Greg Daniels’ virtual afterlife series goes outside of his typical realm of comedy, crossing the genre with sci-fi, suspense, and romance.
Upload features relevant social issues, intriguing mysteries, and light-hearted humor which keeps viewers hooked. However, as Nathan, Nora, and their friends take more risks in the third season, there are several things fans would like to see when Upload returns.
Future Technology
For a show that takes place in 2033, the concept of uploading human thoughts and memories to a massive server in order to mimic immortality seems far-fetched. However, some of Greg Daniels’ other ideas have come to life since the first season aired in 2020 (such as Facebook’s virtual reality platform being named, Horizon Worlds, while the VR company that hosts Lakeview is called Horizen).
Fans would like to see how new futuristic devices will advance the plot in season 3, and how the A.I. guy and his human doppelgänger, Boris, might cause some confusion. Since Nora, Nathan, and The Ludds are on a mission to stop Freeyond, new weapons or gadgets might be introduced, which could affect their strategy to stop the launch.
Freeyond Launch
Underprivileged people want the chance to have a wonderful digital afterlife at no cost to them or their families. Receiving anything for free seems idealistic, but when Nathan designed the code for his app Beyond, he considered people like his mom, who struggle to pay their rent. Nathan couldn’t have anticipated his murder or the fact that his stolen code would eventually lead to Freeyond.
In one of the best episodes of Upload, the season 2 finale takes place a few days before the launch of Freeyond, as Nora, Nathan, and The Ludds board a hyperloop and plan to save the disenfranchised population from giving up their life on Earth (and their right to vote). The cliffhanger ending leaves fans wondering if their plan will succeed, or if something or someone will get in their way.
The Ludds
According to The Cinemaholic, this mysterious group is based on Luddites. The Ludds in Upload share common philosophies with their historical counterparts. Both groups prioritize quality over quantity. They believe a person with proper skills can accomplish a task better than a machine, and that the machines must be destroyed.
In addition to a strong work ethic, most of The Ludds, like Matteo, strive for class equality. However, their muddled intentions make them want to delete the rich, even when it doesn’t help the poor. It appears The Ludds are working with Nora and Nathan in the finale, but fans would like to see where The Ludds’ true loyalties lie when Upload returns.
Villain Alliance
It has been speculated on-screen and off-screen that Oliver Kannerman and David Choak worked together, stealing Nathan’s code from his Beyond app, and using it to create Freeyond. Towards the end of season 2, it was revealed that the guy who broke into Nora’s apartment and subsequently tried to kill her was one of Choak’s minions (which makes sense since Choak is revealed as Nathan’s killer).
The devilish duo of Choak and Kannerman could be working with The Ludds behind the scenes since Oliver previously played racquetball with Pastor Rob. If this unholy alliance is revealed in season 3, the money and influence of Kannerman and Choak, combined with the resources of The Ludds, could be a disastrous combination.
Real World Repercussions
Most of the anarchy and rebellious activities in Upload primarily affected Lakeview or the digital afterlife as a whole. However, the political connections uncovered in season 2 reveal that there is a much grander scheme at play that would not only endanger Uploads but potentially kill thousands, if not millions of Americans, in order to win an election.
In addition to the violent scam that Freeyond is planning in a matter of days, the major risk that Nora and The Ludds take by downloading Nathan could change the course of humanity if it succeeds, or make them infamous criminals if it fails.
Aleesha’s Promotion
During Nora’s leave of absence at Horizen, Aleesha picked up the slack. Most customer service employees would just do their work and keep their heads down, but, by speaking up about her extra workload, Aleesha’s honesty and tenacity earned her two promotions (and a temp to train). Her authenticity has always made Aleesha one of the most likable characters, but her newfound work ethic is inspiring.
Aleesha’s encouraged by Lucy to take a second promotion because the larger salary will pay for a luxurious apartment. But Aleesha exudes double-agent energy, and fans believe it’s only a matter of time before she reports all of the shady behavior she witnesses at Horizen, (including the blackmail videos she has on Lucy).
Luke’s Suspicions
Since Luke is usually viewed as the clever and comedic sidekick to Nathan, or thorn in Aleesha’s side, it’s easy to forget that he was a decorated military veteran who experiences PTSD from all of the traumatic events he witnessed at war.
When Luke is unable to sleep because he feels like he is being watched, he starts to wonder if his dreams are being stolen and if his privacy is being invaded. He comes to these eerily accurate conclusions immediately after The Ludds attack Lakeview. Luke’s keen observations and military skills might stay in hyperdrive for season 3, and fans would like to see how much he will uncover on his own, without Nathan’s help.
Nora & Nathan’s Relationship
Despite the challenges they have faced and the fact that timing is rarely on their side, one of the best duos of Upload is Nora and Nathan. The finale of season 2 shows Nora, Nathan, and The Ludds racing to stop the launch of Freeyond and save millions of people from uploading.
Tensions will undoubtedly continue to rise between these lovebirds in season 3, when they realize they must try to save humankind, while getting to know each other (under an unknown time limit when Nathan could expire). Although they have undeniable chemistry on-screen, fans are curious if their new relationship will survive when they face real issues as a couple.
Multiple Nathans
The fast-paced finale of season 2 shows the possibility of three separate versions of Nathan in season 3, which might include: Download Nathan in a human body, Reboot Nathan, who Tinsley is reinstalling in Lakeview, and quite possibly, Clone Nathan since Ingrid is shown with Nathan’s hairbrush.
Although the plans Ingrid has for Nathan’s DNA are uncertain, fans have speculated that it could lead to her illegally cloning Nathan, or using it to possibly make her own child with his DNA. The future of technology and the plotlines for the third season are unknown, but even the actor who plays Nathan, Robbie Amell joked about playing multiple roles when Upload returns.
Ingrid’s Happiness
One of the most controversial characters among Upload fans is Ingrid Kannerman. On the surface, Ingrid is an entitled rich woman who refuses to tip. However, if fans lined up all of the Kannermans, Ingrid would appear the most sympathetic. She has shown compassion for Nevaeh in the first season and tried to prevent Nathan’s driverless car from killing him.
While there is still a long way to go before she can be redeemed (as fans are struggling to forgive her for gaslighting Nathan into believing that she was Uploaded for him), some would like her to realize the error of her ways and find happiness in something that will not hurt anyone else.
