Widowed

Coping with the loss of a significant other is undoubtedly one of the most heartbreaking and devastating moments of anyone’s life. Commonly, accommodating aid is offered to the grieving in the form of hotlines along with extensive support groups filled with others going through similar predicaments. Though coping time varies dependent upon the person, many find relief by seeking outside guidance to personally assist oneself on their emotional road to recovery. However, if the coping process is not handled properly, it can unfortunately take the person on a downward spiral. Many often indulge in unhealthy coping methods, such as finding relief in alcohol or drugs, thus leading to addiction and depression. With that in mind, the way you handle your partner’s death is essential to your future well-being and sanity. Sadly, we witnessed firsthand the effects of what could possibly be the new normal in a society where technology is advancing and developing at a rapid and remarkable pace.

The series seems to be set in the near future where the technological advances have already exceeded the technology we have in present times. Tapping into Japanese roboticist, Masahiro Mori’s, sketchy theory of “The Uncanny Valley” many seem to think that the use of robots with undeniable and eerily similar human characteristics are creepy. Personally, finding the researchers and technicians whose intent is to fool the masses with humanoid robots is extremely deceitful and morally wrong. Back to the show, I heavily sympathize with Martha and her struggle to come to terms with her partner’s death. We often hear people say that they wish they can hear their loved ones laugh or see their smile for one last time, Martha took that one step further. It is almost to be expected of someone who is alone and desperate for that person to make extreme and irrational decisions.

Unfortunately, like I stated above, if the coping process is not handled properly, it can unfortunately take the person on a downward spiral. Realizing that she was more in love with the memories and personal moments she shared with Ash she realizes that the digital version of Ash could never replace the original physical version of him. Confidently deciding to put digital Ash in the attic, this is metaphorically similar to what his mother did with the pictures of Ash’s deceased brother and father. With technology already advancing, will this be the new way to help people deal with grief? Will humanoid robots be available for anyone who can’t get over the loss of their partner? For now, it is only speculation.