Ep 2. Five Stars
- May 1, 2020
- 30 min
-
7.6 (2,102)
In episode 2 of Upload season 1, titled "Five Stars," the story picks up following the events of the first episode, with Nathan, our protagonist, now fully acclimated to his afterlife in Lakeview. Catherine, his girlfriend, is still coming to terms with his death as she prepares for his funeral, while Nathan tries to navigate his new digital existence with the help of Nora, his customer service rep in the afterlife.
Nathan's first full day in Lakeview brings plenty of challenges, starting with an overbearing neighbor named David Choak. David is the quintessential Lakeview resident, with an AI house that caters to his every whim and a body he's been able to upgrade far beyond the status quo. Nathan, however, is living with a less-than-impressive upgrade package, and David is quick to mock him for it.
Despite his initial struggles, Nathan tries to make the most of his time in Lakeview, spending time with Nora and exploring the digital world around him. But as he begins to learn more about the afterlife, he realizes that there are plenty of hidden agendas at play. For one thing, Lakeview's owner, Horizen, is eager to ensure that customers remain happy and loyal so that they can continue to pay for upgrades and other services indefinitely. But as Nathan tries to find meaning and purpose in his new existence, he quickly realizes that there's more to life after death than just making money.
While Nathan tries to find his footing, Catherine is still dealing with her own grief in the physical world. Her sister is eager to help her move on and find new love, but Catherine is resistant, unable to shake the feeling that she's still connected to Nathan in some way. As the funeral approaches, Catherine tries to reach out to Nathan through Lakeview, but David and other residents are quick to judge her for it, seeing her as a nuisance in the digital world.
Throughout the episode, Nathan continues to struggle to find his place in Lakeview, but with Nora's help, he's able to navigate new experiences and meet fascinating people along the way. Whether he's exploring the world of the living, checking out a scenic digital vista, or learning about the intricacies of the afterlife, Nathan is always looking for ways to make the most of his time in Lakeview. But as the episode draws to a close, he begins to question his own motivations, wondering if he's merely a pawn in a larger game being played by Horizen and other powerful figures in the afterlife. With so much at stake, Nathan will need to stay on his toes if he hopes to make it through the rest of his afterlife with his dignity and his sanity intact.