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Violence Doesn’t Stop: Buckle Up for the Ride

Editor’s note: The following recap includes significant spoilers for Murderbot Episode 7.

Last week’s episode of Murderbot took a dark turn, leaving the character of Murderbot (Alexander Skarsgård) filled with a chilling sense of satisfaction, while its emotionally shaken clients grappled with the unsettling reality of whether their growing bond and trust with the Security Unit had been entirely misplaced. With only three episodes remaining until the season finale, it’s clear that the unfolding story will be anything but straightforward. Episode 7, titled “Complementary Species,” crafted by the talented duo Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz and directed by Roseanne Liang, effectively intertwines deep character reflection, charged interpersonal dynamics, and exhilarating action sequences. Let’s get ready to explore the intricacies of this episode.

The episode begins with a compelling cold open that transports us back a month, featuring the crew from the Preservation Alliance enjoying dinner at Port FreeCommerce prior to their survey mission. They engage in a heartfelt yet thought-provoking game where each participant shares a cherished memory along with a painful one about another team member. This exercise serves as a blend of trust-building and party game fun. Bharadwaj (Tamara Podemski) bravely reveals her unreciprocated feelings for Pin-Lee (Sabrina Wu), illustrating her bittersweet experience when Pin-Lee chose to skip a much-anticipated concert to support her by attending Bharadwaj’s lecture instead. Misinterpreting this act of kindness as romantic, Bharadwaj confesses her feelings, creating a moment of vulnerability that resonates with the group.

Next, Gurathin (David Dastmalchian) hesitantly takes his turn, expressing his unease. He reveals a deeply troubling secret: he once found himself coerced into working as a spy for the Corporation Rim. His unwilling participation highlights the manipulation he faced, as they exploited his addiction to substances while withholding them unless he provided valuable intelligence against their adversaries. Overwhelmed by shame and despair, Gurathin contemplated suicide until he met Mensah (Noma Dumezweni), who represented a glimmer of hope and connection. After confessing his harrowing truth, Mensah welcomed him with open arms, offering a new beginning within the Alliance. Gurathin reassures the group that he no longer associates painful memories with Mensah and quietly removes himself from the table, followed by supportive murmurs and a gentle withdrawal of the bitter memory regarding their upcoming mission from Mensah. Her commitment to pursue their goals remains steadfast, despite the dangers ahead.

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Murderbot Chooses to Remain with the Human Crew in Episode 7

Returning to the present moment, Murderbot hurriedly attempts to usher everyone out of their habitat before the late Leebeebee’s (Anna Konkle) associates arrive, intent on violence. The group is still reeling from the shock of Leebeebee’s betrayal and the dramatic event of Murderbot eliminating her, leading to an atmosphere of unease. Despite having saved their lives, Murderbot feels a lingering resentment due to the lack of gratitude from its human companions. Nevertheless, it genuinely desires to protect them, prompting it to lower its face shield and plead with them to hurry. This act propels the group forward, even as they quietly express their concerns and uncertainties regarding Murderbot, including Gurathin’s persistent distrust, Arada’s (Tattiawna Jones) moral questioning, and Ratthi’s (Akshay Khanna) friendship overtures becoming increasingly strained. Despite their attempts to keep their conversation private, Murderbot is acutely aware of their doubts.

Upon arriving in a wooded area, Murderbot steps outside to survey the surroundings. As it grumbles about the group’s attitudes, the humans debate the merits of abandoning Murderbot for the Company to retrieve, weighing the risks of retaining it (such as the potential for violence against them) against the benefits of having its protection against armed enemies. Mensah asserts that she wouldn’t fault the SecUnit for walking away given the history of abuse and violence it has endured. As Murderbot wanders through the trees, it finds itself contemplating the same dilemma. The constructs are not merely divided into organic instincts and robotic programming; Murderbot’s internal conflict arises from being a singular, complex entity. While the idea of leaving its clients behind to binge on media until its battery runs down is tempting, Murderbot recognizes that this is not the most constructive solution to its emotional turmoil.

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Mensah inquires about Murderbot’s well-being upon its return to the hopper, and it lies without a hint of guilt, stating it is “fine.” Meanwhile, Ratthi, joined by Arada and Pin-Lee, rushes outside to demand explanations regarding Murderbot’s intentions. With its hacked governor module now exposed, Murderbot retorts with sarcastic comments, sparking a lively yet unproductive exchange. No one seems to have a solid plan, and the group is overwhelmed with stress-induced adrenaline. Eventually, Murderbot agrees to Mensah’s request to lower its face shield, as she wishes for the others to perceive it as the entity she knows it to be: a being that genuinely wants to help.

Unexpected Mating Insects and a Hostile SecUnit Disrupt the Crew’s Heartfelt Conversation in ‘Murderbot’ Episode 7

At the most inopportune moment, two enormous insects burst forth from the ground. One of them is recognized as the species that previously attacked Bharadwaj during the premiere, while the other is significantly larger, boasting armored scales and an even more menacing jaw structure. Murderbot swiftly guides everyone back into the hopper for safety, yet the creatures manage to crawl atop the vehicle, seemingly engaging in a battle — until it becomes evident they are actually mating. The crew exchanges nervous glances, oscillating between anxiety and scientific curiosity as they witness the peculiar behavior of the local wildlife. Once the insects have moved on, they cautiously emerge to find that the amorous pair has left behind a rather unsettling gift: a sac filled with slimy eggs attached to the hull.

As if that weren’t enough, a state-of-the-art SecUnit, programmed to evade Murderbot’s threat detection, plummets from the sky and delivers a vicious drop-kick to Murderbot upon landing. A chaotic skirmish ensues, with Murderbot striving to protect its human companions while they reciprocate by throwing themselves at the hostile SecUnit. Despite their reservations about its past behavior, they instinctively defend their SecUnit. Although their efforts to assist are more chaotic than beneficial, as Murderbot reflects, “I kind of appreciated it.” The enemy SecUnit inadvertently damages the egg sac during the fray, and soon after, the original enraged insect reappears, swiftly decapitating the invading SecUnit before reclaiming its offspring.

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As the survivors try to recover from yet another harrowing and violent encounter, Gurathin, who has appeared increasingly shaky throughout the episode, suddenly collapses, feverish and unconscious. The members of the PreservationAuxers unanimously decide that he requires immediate medical assistance in the habitat’s medbay, despite Murderbot’s warning that returning could seal their fate. However, their choice is made; the only question remaining is whether Murderbot will join them, risking its own safety, or abandon them to their fate.

New episodes of Murderbot are released every Friday on Apple TV+.

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Murderbot

Murderbot Episode 7 expertly blends character introspection, intense dynamics, and breathtaking action.

Release Date
May 15, 2025

Network
Apple TV+

Directors
Aurora Guerrero, Roseanne Liang

Pros & Cons

  • The cold open provides enlightening and empathetic insights into Gurathin’s character.
  • Both Murderbot and the humans take time to reflect on their intricate emotions.
  • The chemistry among the cast remains exceptional, showcasing their deep-rooted affection, compassion, and emotional tension.

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Sarah Parker is a research analyst and content contributor with a strong interest in business strategy, organizational behavior, and social development. With a background in sociology and public policy, she focuses on exploring the intersection between research and real-world application. Sarah regularly contributes articles that bridge academic insights and practical relevance, aiming to foster critical thinking and innovation across sectors.