All Systems Red – A Deep Dive into Murderbot’s World
The Story: A SecUnit with Feelings (Sort Of)
All Systems Red is the first novella in the acclaimed The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells. First published in 2017, the story introduces us to an unforgettable protagonist: a self-aware Security Unit (or SecUnit), who secretly refers to itself as “Murderbot.” Designed to provide protection for human survey teams exploring unknown planets, Murderbot has hacked its own governor module, which means it no longer has to follow orders. Instead of causing havoc, however, all it really wants is to be left alone to watch soap operas and figure itself out.
Set on a distant planet where a scientific team is conducting a survey, the story quickly escalates when the team discovers evidence of sabotage and mounting threats. Murderbot is forced to confront its own anxieties, social awkwardness, and growing sense of agency while protecting the team. Unlike many action-oriented sci-fi stories, All Systems Red stands out for its introspective tone, dry humor, and surprisingly touching character arc. It’s a tale of autonomy, personhood, and vulnerability, all wrapped in sleek tech armor and deadpan commentary.
The Author: Martha Wells
Martha Wells is an American author known for her work in fantasy and science fiction. Before writing The Murderbot Diaries, she was primarily celebrated for her fantasy novels, like the Books of the Raksura series. Her transition into science fiction came with remarkable success—All Systems Red won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards and launched a beloved franchise that speaks to our evolving relationship with artificial intelligence.
Wells’ strength lies in her character work and her ability to blend emotion with technology, creating stories where the inner life of her characters shines just as brightly as the external stakes. With Murderbot, she created a character who resonates deeply with readers who have ever felt overwhelmed by social interaction or questioned their own autonomy.
My Thoughts: A Striking Mirror of Humanity
All Systems Red is a brilliant exploration of identity through a lens that feels both futuristic and intensely relatable. Murderbot, with its dry wit, introverted demeanor, and reluctant heroism, feels more human than most protagonists. It’s not just the technology that’s speculative in this novella—it’s the exploration of what it means to be a person when you’re not sure if the world will ever see you as one.
I find the choice to give Murderbot a love for soap operas endearing and thematically rich—it’s a metaphor for our own need to understand emotions, relationships, and identity through stories. The narrative balances tension, humor, and warmth in a way that’s rare in modern sci-fi. It doesn’t rely on spectacle; instead, the story is intimate and character-driven, posing profound ethical and philosophical questions with subtlety and verve.
Wells has gifted us with a character that isn’t striving to become human—it’s simply striving to be allowed to exist on its own terms. And in that, there’s a message that hits home: dignity and personhood aren’t granted by others—they’re claimed by the self.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of science fiction or dipping your toes into the genre for the first time, All Systems Red offers a rich experience that’s as thoughtful as it is thrilling.
Happy reading, and I will see you in the next post!