The Outer Limits: I, Robot

Work Title: The Outer Limits: I, Robot
Medium: TV Episode
Episode Title: I, Robot
Year: 1995
Writer(s): Alison Lea Bingeman
"Original" Writer: Yes Writer(s): Brad Wright
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

from imd.com Late at night, Dr. Link works on his creation, a powerful robot named Adam Link. Adam goes berserk and murders Dr. Link! Law enforcement issues an order for the robot's destruction, but the dead man's daughter Nina Link hires retired lawyer and full-time curmudgeon Thurman Cutler to defend the machine's rights as if it were a man! Cutler takes the case as much to mock the legal system that has made him a cynic as for any other reason, but can even his brilliant mind save Adam Link from destruction? Summary written by CommanderBalok

  • Self-Written?:
  • Source Name: IMDB
  • Source URL:
Era/Year of Portrayal: present_day
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Present day 1995.

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Adam Link (a robot)
  • Description of the technology: Adam is an extermely strong, fast, and smart robot. He is built from super strong titanium. He is like a son to his creator and a brother to his creators daughter. He enjoys poetry, reading and learning. He has emotions similiar to humans. He odse not look human - he appears as a robot. However, he acts as human does. A sensitive, human.
  • Nature of task or activity: Adam is on trial for killing his creator. Rather, he is on trial to see if he will be allowed to stand trial as a human.
  • Performance of the Technology: Works well, generally. However, sis kill creator and go beserk in courtroom when a certain element in his 'brain' is turned off. Then he becomes violent. The creator was trying to implents possible use for the military. So, in a sense, he was working as suppsed to, but in the wrong setting.
  • Description of creator(s): A white, male, scientist in his 60's or so. He runs a lab and is well respected. However, he needs funding, so turns to the military.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): Primarily, to further technology. although he does look into advancing miliatry technology.
  • Description of users of technology: Adam interacts with all sorts of people. He savess the lives of a police officer and the prosecting attorney.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: The presence experience of interacting with Adam is generally plesent. However, if he becomes violent, then it is not. He could easily kill someone with his super strength and speed.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: Yes. He looks like a robot and cannot be mistaken for human.
  • Valence of experience: Sometimes pleasent, sometimes lethal.
  • Specific responses: Poeple are stunned by the depth of personality, kindness and altruism Adam demonstartes. People are also stunned by his super sterngth and speed.
Long-term consequences:

Well, its a happy ending in that the judge determines that Adam is human - human enough to stand trial for murder. Outside of the courtroom, Adam then saves the life of the prosecuting attorney by pushing her out of the way of a speeding truck. He is then destroyed by the truck. A bittersweet ending.

Other:

Leornard Nimoy was Adam's lawyer.

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University