It makes sense that Upload, a show about a digital afterlife, would have some profound quotes about mortality and living life to the fullest. But some of the best quotes from the Amazon Prime original are also quite funny, while others are ominous, and some even touching.
From Nathan to Nora, Ingrid and Aleesha, and even supporting characters like David Choak and Matteo, each is responsible for a few of the best lines from the series. With two seasons under its belt, there hasn’t yet been confirmation of a third season renewal. But considering how well the show has been reviewed by critics and viewers, alike, chances are that there will be many more great Upload quotes to come.
Life Is Magical
“Life is the most magical gift there is, and if there’s God, he’s amazing because he gave us life and the gratitude and creativity to keep it going as long as we possibly can.” —Nora
Given that Nora spends her days tending to the needs of the uploaded consciousnesses of people who have passed on in the real world, she has come to appreciate the value of life. Dealing with her ill father who likely only has limited time left, and the struggle of not being able to afford to upload him to a lavish place like Lakeview also teaches her to make the most of what she has. One of the things fans love about Upload is Nora’s bond with her father.
So, it makes sense that she would speak this line, and it came at a time when Nathan needed comfort after having just lost his own life.
L.A. Douchebag
“You know, for an L.A. douchebag, you’re the best L.A. douchebag I’ve ever met.” —Nora
While Nora was initially quick to judge Nathan as being a self-centered muscle head from Los Angeles with a wealthy girlfriend and a massive ego, she quickly learned that there was a lot more to him. He was kind and sincere, generous and caring, and fiercely smart. He loved his niece and mother and found it tough to break up with Ingrid even though he no longer wanted to be with her.
Nora expresses the fact that she is warming to him in the best way possible by noting her first impression of him and how it turned out not to be true.
Sure, It Was An Accident
“Yeah, you just threatened a $600 billion a year industry and no one murdered you.” —David
Ironically, it’s David Choak who speaks these words to Nathan in the first season before fans learn that Choak was responsible, at least in part, for Nathan’s murder. It was like he was trying to clue Nathan into the truth without fully revealing it.
Choak, after all, had nothing to lose. He was already dead and, as a billionaire, had the power and means to ensure his time at Lakeview was never disrupted. Yet, in this quote, he told Nathan exactly why he was killed before Nathan even accepted that was the truth.
Life (And Death) Is Short
“Even if we last for a thousand years here, it’s gonna feel short when it’s over and we’re out of time with the people we care about.” —Nathan
Nathan knows all too well how short life is after having seen his end, but he also appreciates that even his time in Lakeview is numbered. It doesn’t matter if he were to spend thousands of years there, the time would always feel like it wasn’t enough.
After all, one of the things that make fans not want to upload to Lakeview is the thought that uploads would likely outlast their living relatives, having to watch them each pass on and grow old while they stay the same. Unless an entire family uploads, the experience, and the money to pay for the experience, would eventually run out.
We Can Be Together Forever!
“I’m here now. Now and forever. I uploaded for you.” —Ingrid
Season one ended in the best possible way when Ingrid popped into Lakeview to advise Nathan that she uploaded for him so they could be together for all of eternity. The look on Nathan’s face was priceless as he had already fallen for Nora and was getting ready to be rid of Ingrid for good.
Of course, fans who watched season 2 know that Ingrid didn’t upload but had been spending an inordinate amount of time in her bathtub in the suit, trying to pretend that she was a resident and not a visitor.
What Do They See In Him?
“I don’t know what it is in this human bowl of oatmeal everybody keeps falling for.” —Aleesha
Only Aleesha could come up with such a clever and puzzling line. After realizing that Tinsley had developed a little crush on Nathan after working as his angel for a short period of time, she expressed this sentiment. She saw both Tinsley and Nora fall for the young, new upload, but couldn’t figure out what was so great about him, especially as a dead guy.
But her description is what makes the line so funny: she compares him to oatmeal, presumably because it’s typically considered a bland meal with little substance.
Walking On Water
“You know you can walk on water whenever you want, right? All I have to do is hit a button.” —Nora
One of the funniest scenes in the first season, and the first time fans got a glimpse of the playful, flirtatious nature of Nathan and Nora’s relationship, was when she revealed to him as he was discovering Lakeview that he could walk on water.
As soon as he attempted to do so, she let him fall deep into the water. It was a cute moment that helped Nathan adjust to his new life and made Nora love him even more. It also made fans love the Nora and Nathan romance on Upload.
Snail Mail
“It’s an envelope. It’s how your ancestors got spam.” —Matteo
Hilariously, Matteo is delivering a speech to a new bunch of Lud recruits and explains to them how they can live off the land and communicate with family and friends without needing technology. He pulls out a white paper and says this line, both facetiously and with a bit of truth behind it. After all, some of the new generations may have never actually mailed a letter to someone.
He finds the most hilarious way to show them, mocking or not, that it is possible not to be connected 24/7 via electronic devices.
Dearly Departed
“A month ago, I wasn’t even planning on attending my own funeral, but I really never would’ve guessed that it would suck this hard.” —Nathan
Many people have tried to imagine what it might be like to be a fly-on-the-wall at their own funeral. Nathan actually got the chance to do it, showing up in upload form with a corny-cropped green suit.
Of course, nothing went as he had hoped, and no one seemed particularly distraught about his death beyond his immediate family. What’s more, one of the things that don’t make sense about Upload is the way Ingrid treated him at the event, particularly once fans learned that she didn’t have anything to do with his death. Nathan’s disdain for the event is perfectly encapsulated in this quote.
Delete The Rich
“Revolution has come to Horizon. Delete the rich.” —Computer Program
This quote was repeated over and over again through a hacker program Matteo convinced Nora to bring into Lakeview. It took down all the systems, shouting this message throughout the community in protest to the fact that a place like Lakeview even exists.
The Luds were not only against technology in general, they also believed that places like Lakeview perpetuated the economic divide, providing a safe and lavish place for the consciousness of the wealthy to go after death while the poor don’t have the same option.
