As Murderbot reaches its halfway point, the stakes have never been higher—or more personal. Episode 3 delivered an emotional gut-punch, a blast of laser fire, and an existential crisis all wrapped in sci-fi satire. Now, with Episode 4 titled “Escape Velocity Protocol”, the title alone raises one question: Can Murderbot escape the grip of programming, politics, and pain before it’s too late?
Let’s break down what we might see in this highly anticipated next episode—and yes, there will be wild theories, bold guesses, and a dash of Sanctuary Moon fan-fiction (because Murderbot would want it that way).
Theory #1: Is Murderbot Really Dead? Or Just "Rebooting"?
The closing seconds of Episode 3 were nothing short of heartbreaking. Murderbot, bleeding out circuits and willpower, pulled the ultimate "self-sacrifice" move—shooting itself before the override module could turn it into a mindless killing machine. But is our rogue SecUnit really gone?
Here’s the thing: we know Murderbot has a complex, partially self-written code structure. It hacked its own governor module once before—who’s to say it didn’t insert a failsafe subroutine that allows for an emergency reboot?
Fans have speculated that the shot wasn’t fatal but a calculated shutdown to prevent further corruption. The presence of Mensah and the team hovering over its body might trigger the emotional and neurological spark it needs to kickstart a recovery. Could we see a rebirth of sorts—a cleaner, sharper, even more emotionally aware version of Murderbot?
Theory #2: The Truth Behind the “Rogue SecUnits”
Episode 3 left us with a not-so-subtle hint: the enemy SecUnit was deliberately missing its shots. That's huge! It flips the narrative from "rogue killer bots" to something darker and more corporate. Someone—or something—is using these constructed beings as tools in a false-flag operation. The dead DeltFall crew, the override modules, the company propaganda—it’s all pointing to a manufactured crisis.
In Episode 4, we could see the first glimpse of the larger conspiracy. Perhaps Mensah, with her scientific background and compassionate leadership, begins to piece it together. She already broke protocol to save Murderbot—now she might break orbit to find answers.
Could we finally meet the corporate overlords pulling the strings? Or maybe get a flashback to who installed those override modules in the first place? My bet: a shadowy Corporate Security Division (CSD) unit tasked with cleaning up “non-compliant assets” like Murderbot.
Theory #3: Ratthi’s Reckless Heroism Might Backfire
Let’s talk about Ratthi. He went full action-hero mode in Episode 3, grabbing a gun and launching a self-appointed rescue mission. While endearing in its chaos (and full of Mrs. Doubtfire energy), it hints at something deeper—the emotional toll this mission is taking on the PreservationAux team.
In Episode 4, Ratthi’s arc could take a turn. Will his boldness spark a mutiny among the crew? Or will it lead to a mistake that endangers everyone further?
And what about that awkward throuple tension between Pin-Lee, Arada, and Ratthi? As death inches closer, emotional fault lines are cracking wide open. Episode 4 could double down on this and show how relationships—platonic, romantic, and strange little gray-area ones like “human and killer bot”—are tested under fire.
Sanctuary Moon: The Virtual Lifeline Returns?
Sanctuary Moon isn’t just a funny soap opera obsession. It’s Murderbot’s emotional support system, its coping mechanism, and increasingly, its lens for interpreting reality.
In Episode 3, we saw the most delightful visual gag yet: Murderbot imagining itself in a ridiculous uniform, facing down evil in a starship-themed fantasy. Expect Episode 4 to lean even harder into this. With Murderbot possibly trapped in its own head—or floating somewhere between life and machine death—it’s plausible that the next episode plays out partially in the Sanctuary Moon universe.
Can you imagine? Murderbot’s subconscious becomes a surreal battlefield where Sanctuary Moon metaphors help it solve real-world problems. It could be where Murderbot pieces together the truth behind the override module... or confronts its guilt, purpose, and identity in a fictional captain’s ready room. (Honestly, who doesn’t want a therapy session led by an overdramatic soap star?)
What About Mensah? The Emergence of a True Leader
Mensah has quietly become the moral and emotional compass of the show. But now, having saved Murderbot with a mining drill and walked through laser fire, she’s evolving into something more—a rebel leader in the making.
Episode 4 could give her the spotlight as the crew’s safety is compromised, Mensah may have to initiate the titular “Escape Velocity Protocol”—perhaps an illegal emergency extraction, maybe even commandeering a spacecraft to flee the planet. Whatever it is, it’ll likely go against Company protocol, making Mensah an enemy of the system she once respected.
And perhaps she’s not just doing it for Murderbot. Perhaps she's beginning to realize something larger is at play—something the Company wants to keep buried.
Final Thoughts: Will Escape Mean Freedom?
Episode 4 promises to be the emotional and narrative climax of the season’s first half. Whether we see a Terminator-style resurrection, an explosive escape plan, or a Sanctuary Moon dream-battle, what’s clear is that Murderbot’s journey is no longer about survival. It’s about purpose.
As the override module’s effects linger, and trust between humans and machines stretches to breaking point, we’re left to wonder:
Can a machine that doesn’t want to kill... become a hero?
Can a crew that once treated it like property... become its family?
Friday can’t come soon enough.
Read more: is there A Murder At the End of the World Season 2
