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Attention! This article reveals SPOILERS for Murderbot season 1, episode 2 and The Murderbot Diaries. The main character in the series titled Murderbot, portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård, is frequently addressed as “it” rather than “he.” This may leave some viewers puzzled about why Murderbot prefers this pronoun. Murderbot stands out for several reasons, such as the “show within a show,” The Rise & Fall of Sanctuary Moon, and the enigmatic Company that features in the Apple TV+ series. One of the most perplexing elements of Murderbot – particularly for viewers unfamiliar with the source material, The Murderbot Diaries – is the way both the cast and the titular SecUnit refer to themselves.

In stories featuring robots interacting with humans, labeling the robot as “it” is often a sign of prejudice or disrespect. This pattern is followed in the show Murderbot, where the character Gurathin (David Dastmalchian) clearly harbors ill feelings towards Murderbot and consistently refers to it as “it.” However, this usage of “it” by Murderbot as a pronoun is not just about dehumanizing the SecUnit. Instead, it adds an intriguing layer to Murderbot, making it one of the most engaging and distinctive science fiction series available today.

Alexander Skarsgård’s Murderbot Uses “It/Its” As Essentially Its Preferred Pronouns

Murderbot Doesn’t Think Of Itself In Binary Terms Of Gender

In my recent review, I pointed out the intriguing use of “it” in the gripping series, Murderbot Diaries. Initially, one might assume that author Gurathin intended to strip Murderbot of its humanity by referring to it as “it.” However, a closer look reveals a more profound choice.

You see, Murderbot identifies as agender and prefers the use of “it” as a pronoun. Throughout the series, Murderbot expresses disinterest in being human or conforming to the rigid, binary notions of gender that humans often adhere to. By using “it,” we, the readers, avoid imposing any specific gender identity on this unique character. In essence, Murderbot’s use of “it” mirrors the preference of a non-binary individual who might choose to use “they.” It’s all about personal expression and respect for individuality.

In the novel “All Systems Red” and subsequent books, Murderbot explicitly states its identity as agender and asexual. In “All Systems Red,” Murderbot mentions, “I don’t have any gender or sex-related parts… so maybe that’s why I find sex scenes boring.” Similarly, in “Artificial Condition,” Murderbot notes, “SecUnits also have less than null interest in human or any other kind of sex.” These statements are not speculation but factual representations of the character’s identity.

Martha Wells, the brainchild behind Murderbot, openly acknowledged in the actual world that Murderbot identifies as neither male nor female (agender) and has no romantic or sexual attraction (asexual). This information was shared during one of her numerous interactions with fans on GoodReads.

While crafting my initial novella, it didn’t make sense to me that a SecUnit should possess a reproductive system or human parts not essential for its security role. Moreover, considering Murderbot’s attitude towards humans, it appeared illogical for its character to identify with any particular gender, or even express a desire to adopt a human gender. It was also unlikely that such a being would engage in human romantic relationships.

In Murderbot’s case, both the character itself and its creator describe Murderbot as using “it” as a pronoun because it doesn’t identify with any specific gender. This stems from its unique nature, lacking sexual characteristics, and also signifies Murderbot’s disinterest in being human. When presented with an opportunity to disguise itself as an enhanced human within the Preservation Alliance, Murderbot declines. Instead, it prefers to explore its own identity without being confined by other people’s perceptions of gender or humanity.

Murderbot’s Pronouns Highlight Just How Unique Of A Character It Is

Murderbot’s Feelings About Humanity & Its Status As An Agender & Asexual Character Make It Truly Unique

In a refreshing twist from stories like Blade Runner and iRobot that delve into the human qualities of artificial life, Murderbot presents a unique perspective on its own identity. Unlike other sentient robots, Murderbot doesn’t strive to conform; instead, it embraces its individuality, which might make it one of the most “human-like” robots in science fiction narratives.

Murderbot Release Schedule
Episode Title/Number Release Date
FreeCommerce May 16
Eye Contact May 16
Risk Assessment May 23
4 May 30
5 June 6
6 June 13
7 June 20
8 June 27
9 July 4
10 July 11

Not only does Murderbot stand out as a distinctive portrayal of the “robot with feelings” concept, it is also exceptional in a broader sense. Indeed, among mainstream fiction and especially television, Murderbot is one of the rare instances of a main character who is asexual or agender. Murderbot’s representation of asexuality and genderqueerness is significant and well-executed. A crucial aspect of Murderbot’s character, its gender identity and sexual orientation play a pivotal role in the narrative, yet they are only one facet of its multifaceted personality, with numerous other intriguing aspects to explore within Murderbot.

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2025-05-19 21:11