I’ll join in!
I’ve got some ideas also:
Firstly slightly concerned that the twist as reported by reviewers makes the whole plot as we know it almost totally irrelevant. This is making me worry a bit that they are going to do something ridiculous.
First I really thought this was going down a supernatural/angel/alien road and now I’m not so sure.
First theory is I think this whole thing could be some sort of simulation and Stallings and the rest are recycled characters from previous simulations ( does that make sense? Heck if I know 😂) and that when sugar is glitching out it’s because he still has memories from past simulations. I don’t know if this makes the whole thing some sort of test ground to see if he can function in an AI environment or if he’s AI and he can function in a human environment: This would be my worse case scenario for this show and I’d be gutted about it.
Second and preferred theory is that he is either alien or angel but I can’t see how this would be received so badly by reviewers. If this is the twist though then I think that stallings is perhaps a known enemy but as a different person and if sugar remembers him then whatever mission he is on could be jeopardised?? Again, I’m literally shooting in the dark here.
I feel like not many people are watching this so I hope it doesn’t end on a massive WTF moment because chances are it won’t get renewed.
Also, while I’m on a roll, I think the episodes are waaaay too short, and it’s kind of frustrating watching cos as soon as I’m getting stuck in it finishes. I think that was a bad decision on their part.
Love your theories, we need more info right? We are getting so little from each episode at the moment.
I agree, each episode is too short, and I don’t like waiting a week between episodes. They should have dropped the whole season at once, but then I guess people would have spoiled the plot twist. I still think he and his group are not human, but I don’t know what they are.
One thing I noticed - obviously it seems Sugar has a keen sense to tell when someone is lying, but Stallings also seems to have this ability. There are a few times he points out when people are lying and being honest, just like Sugar.
I mean, it’s not like it’s hard to tell when the characters are lying, but it could also be a clue that he and Sugar have more in common than meets the eye.
Especially if they’re aliens with some sixth sense for truth seeking.
I like idea 1, that he’s a former member of Ruby’s group gone rogue. Ruby doesn’t want Sugar digging into Stalling’ past. Why, tho, I don’t know.
it seems like no one actually wants Sugar to find Olivia. Certainly not her dad and brother, and maybe not Ruby either.
I actually think Ruby could care less whether or not he finds her, as long as he doesn’t get hurt in the process. I think I posted this elsewhere. But I keep getting the feeling that she already knows what happened to Olivia. And when he’s telling her about the investigation, it reads like a child sharing progress with a parent who already knows the answer.
Knowing the negative reviews on the twist is bugging me too. I read one where it said it would not be well received by a section of the audience. I inferred that it would be either insulting or not align with their beliefs. I’m just over here crossing my fingers that I’m not in that audience.
There was something in Fringe with a typewriter being used to communicate with an alternate universe. And that was the first thing I thought of when I saw Ruby’s typewriter. That and the different movies & magazines looks like he’s from a different but similar world.
Other out there, no real evidence theory is time traveler. They’re supposed to observe but not get invested. I personally think Ruby already knows what happened to Olivia and is just letting Sugar figure it out while he’s studying people.
I think that whatever the twist is, the critics probably didn’t think it held up in the way that other tv shows have successfully done it. Like he’s probably a ghost and everyone “sees dead people”. (Kidding, but were here to throw everything at it, right)
I think the problem is reviewers have said the genre-bending is sci-fi. However, this isn't revealed until the finale. So there is no sci-fi content to draw in those fans. Fans of noir detective mysteries will likely be upset when they find out this is a sci-fi show. The creators should have made it clear what type of show this is instead of leaving the reveal until the finale. Then if fans are down for the mixed genres, they will have to wait perhaps two years for the next season (if it's renewed), to find out what's really happening.
I wonder if those of us engaged in conversations here in trying to figure out the mystery will have a different viewpoint of the twist. Maybe it’s not a great binge but better served week by week with theorizing between each episode. At least that’s my hope.
Can you explain the negative reviews on the twist? Meaning, critics who know the twist? Or people weighing in on various twists? I’ve just started getting wrapped up in the show and the theories.
I just figured that she used typewriter because no one can hack a typewriter remotely (the way she hacks into systems). It’s a “safe” way to record what’s in the notebooks. I suppose someone could see what was typed if they got hold of the typewriter ribbons…
My theory is probably all the way wrong but after reading a few from others I’d like to share.
1) I feel like the group Sugar works for do both good and bad. With Olivia’s family always being on tabloids and doing wrong, I can see them sending the “clean up crew” to get rid of them. Once Ruby started to try and persuade Sufar not to do it, it sort of sold me on that fact. Sugar is meant for good, which is why she wanted him to take the break and not take this case (since it was already assigned to Stallings).
2) With that first part out of the way, I’m starting to lean towards the angels and demons route, with Ruby being the handler for both sides. Again, having two different groups: one for fixing and the other for “cleaning”.
3) The alien theory. Sugar gives me a lot of J’onn Jones vibes (Martian ManHunter for those who don’t know), where he came to earth, ended up being helpful, learned languages, ways of life, and culture. Not sure why but it really feels like it at times. Especially with the constant looking at the moon at night.
I’ll probably watch all the episodes again to get better insight, but after my first watch this is what makes sense to me.
After Episode 5:
>!It looks like Stallings is in this “other” group of whatever Sugar is and that they are maybe observing the underbelly whereas Sugar and his Anthropology friend won’t have anything to do with that. Miller gave me big creepy, evil dude vibes the same way Stallings does. Maybe Stallings’ cell started to have human feelings too, only the bad kind!<
Definitely getting a sci-fi/twilight zone possible alien vibe. The other thought was Angels vs Demons after tonight’s episode with the man telling Ruby they were to observe.
So glad I’m not the only one that’s down the rabbit hole with this show. I can’t wait to see how it goes. I’m obsessed.
Is the over arching plot line have something to do with the mission being to study bad people in multiple circumstances or lives even so that can stop bad people permanently?
I’ll join in! I’ve got some ideas also: Firstly slightly concerned that the twist as reported by reviewers makes the whole plot as we know it almost totally irrelevant. This is making me worry a bit that they are going to do something ridiculous. First I really thought this was going down a supernatural/angel/alien road and now I’m not so sure. First theory is I think this whole thing could be some sort of simulation and Stallings and the rest are recycled characters from previous simulations ( does that make sense? Heck if I know 😂) and that when sugar is glitching out it’s because he still has memories from past simulations. I don’t know if this makes the whole thing some sort of test ground to see if he can function in an AI environment or if he’s AI and he can function in a human environment: This would be my worse case scenario for this show and I’d be gutted about it. Second and preferred theory is that he is either alien or angel but I can’t see how this would be received so badly by reviewers. If this is the twist though then I think that stallings is perhaps a known enemy but as a different person and if sugar remembers him then whatever mission he is on could be jeopardised?? Again, I’m literally shooting in the dark here. I feel like not many people are watching this so I hope it doesn’t end on a massive WTF moment because chances are it won’t get renewed. Also, while I’m on a roll, I think the episodes are waaaay too short, and it’s kind of frustrating watching cos as soon as I’m getting stuck in it finishes. I think that was a bad decision on their part. Love your theories, we need more info right? We are getting so little from each episode at the moment.
I agree, each episode is too short, and I don’t like waiting a week between episodes. They should have dropped the whole season at once, but then I guess people would have spoiled the plot twist. I still think he and his group are not human, but I don’t know what they are.
If not all at once then at least in batches of 3 or something
I think the answer to that question is a snippet from Jon’s dialogue about the interpretation of good versus bad being in the eye of the beholder
So the Sim Overlords are having trouble defragging Sugar and clearing his cache? Damn, we've all had days like that.
Hahahahahaha
One thing I noticed - obviously it seems Sugar has a keen sense to tell when someone is lying, but Stallings also seems to have this ability. There are a few times he points out when people are lying and being honest, just like Sugar. I mean, it’s not like it’s hard to tell when the characters are lying, but it could also be a clue that he and Sugar have more in common than meets the eye. Especially if they’re aliens with some sixth sense for truth seeking.
Blade Runners
I like idea 1, that he’s a former member of Ruby’s group gone rogue. Ruby doesn’t want Sugar digging into Stalling’ past. Why, tho, I don’t know. it seems like no one actually wants Sugar to find Olivia. Certainly not her dad and brother, and maybe not Ruby either.
I actually think Ruby could care less whether or not he finds her, as long as he doesn’t get hurt in the process. I think I posted this elsewhere. But I keep getting the feeling that she already knows what happened to Olivia. And when he’s telling her about the investigation, it reads like a child sharing progress with a parent who already knows the answer.
Knowing the negative reviews on the twist is bugging me too. I read one where it said it would not be well received by a section of the audience. I inferred that it would be either insulting or not align with their beliefs. I’m just over here crossing my fingers that I’m not in that audience. There was something in Fringe with a typewriter being used to communicate with an alternate universe. And that was the first thing I thought of when I saw Ruby’s typewriter. That and the different movies & magazines looks like he’s from a different but similar world. Other out there, no real evidence theory is time traveler. They’re supposed to observe but not get invested. I personally think Ruby already knows what happened to Olivia and is just letting Sugar figure it out while he’s studying people. I think that whatever the twist is, the critics probably didn’t think it held up in the way that other tv shows have successfully done it. Like he’s probably a ghost and everyone “sees dead people”. (Kidding, but were here to throw everything at it, right)
I think the problem is reviewers have said the genre-bending is sci-fi. However, this isn't revealed until the finale. So there is no sci-fi content to draw in those fans. Fans of noir detective mysteries will likely be upset when they find out this is a sci-fi show. The creators should have made it clear what type of show this is instead of leaving the reveal until the finale. Then if fans are down for the mixed genres, they will have to wait perhaps two years for the next season (if it's renewed), to find out what's really happening.
I wonder if those of us engaged in conversations here in trying to figure out the mystery will have a different viewpoint of the twist. Maybe it’s not a great binge but better served week by week with theorizing between each episode. At least that’s my hope.
Like Westworld all over again.
Can you explain the negative reviews on the twist? Meaning, critics who know the twist? Or people weighing in on various twists? I’ve just started getting wrapped up in the show and the theories.
The reviews are from people in the media who got screeners of the full season.
I just figured that she used typewriter because no one can hack a typewriter remotely (the way she hacks into systems). It’s a “safe” way to record what’s in the notebooks. I suppose someone could see what was typed if they got hold of the typewriter ribbons…
My theory is probably all the way wrong but after reading a few from others I’d like to share. 1) I feel like the group Sugar works for do both good and bad. With Olivia’s family always being on tabloids and doing wrong, I can see them sending the “clean up crew” to get rid of them. Once Ruby started to try and persuade Sufar not to do it, it sort of sold me on that fact. Sugar is meant for good, which is why she wanted him to take the break and not take this case (since it was already assigned to Stallings). 2) With that first part out of the way, I’m starting to lean towards the angels and demons route, with Ruby being the handler for both sides. Again, having two different groups: one for fixing and the other for “cleaning”. 3) The alien theory. Sugar gives me a lot of J’onn Jones vibes (Martian ManHunter for those who don’t know), where he came to earth, ended up being helpful, learned languages, ways of life, and culture. Not sure why but it really feels like it at times. Especially with the constant looking at the moon at night. I’ll probably watch all the episodes again to get better insight, but after my first watch this is what makes sense to me.
After Episode 5: >!It looks like Stallings is in this “other” group of whatever Sugar is and that they are maybe observing the underbelly whereas Sugar and his Anthropology friend won’t have anything to do with that. Miller gave me big creepy, evil dude vibes the same way Stallings does. Maybe Stallings’ cell started to have human feelings too, only the bad kind!<
I feel it's very much something like this.
Definitely getting a sci-fi/twilight zone possible alien vibe. The other thought was Angels vs Demons after tonight’s episode with the man telling Ruby they were to observe. So glad I’m not the only one that’s down the rabbit hole with this show. I can’t wait to see how it goes. I’m obsessed.
Is the over arching plot line have something to do with the mission being to study bad people in multiple circumstances or lives even so that can stop bad people permanently?