As we follow Oliver and Claire on their love story, we realize just how human these robots can be. The show does a good job balancing this. Once one of them has changes, we don’t see them regressing as so many shows do. It’s a bit of a breathe of fresh air so see changes stick. It makes their decision to delete their memories all the more heartbreaking.
My only issue with the story itself is that the predictability of Oliver’s James Journey. Yes, I want Oliver to reunite with James, but from the beginning I already knew that wasn’t going to happen. He hasn’t heard from James in 12 years and he’s in the Helperbot Yards. It doesn’t feel like a huge leap when we find out the truth. James had higher stakes in the decision: he’s dying and it’s either Oliver, who’s like a son to him, or his biological son. I wanted that decision to be a more than just a casual mention. But I also understand that that’s all Oliver knows about the decision, and ultimately, we see this world through Oliver’s eyes. I enjoy following Oliver finding his humanity and coming to terms with his status, and his journey to find the truth is part of it.
To me, the part that shines brightest in this story is the connection between Oliver and Claire, and her dwindling time before her battery cannot support her anymore. It brings forth the question “can robots die?” Tech becomes obsolete all the time, things evolve. This review is being typed on a laptop, not a type writer. And one day this laptop will be obsolete. But it doesn’t have a consciousness; Claire does. She’s technology that can think and feel and love and dance. You come to care for her deeply in the show, and now the inevitable is happening. And it will happen to Oliver too. A world so much more advanced than our own, yet people and robots will still die. The bleakness of their reality and their choice to delete each other (or not) is then lifted up by the knowledge that they will do this song and dance again. They’re destined to meet again, to know each other. Even on a time limit. Like Hadestown, it’s a sad song, but we’ll sing it again.
Broadway with Me 
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