Summary
It’s an action-packed, plot-heavy opener from the series, as Nathan and Nora try to take down Freeyond once and for all. The show struggles to convey its oddball sense of humor and reverts to trashy plot twists near the end, but it’s still a surprisingly engaging re-introduction to this futuristic world.
Prime Video’s sci-fi comedy series Upload is back for Season 3. In the season’s opening episode, titled “Ticking Clock,” Nathan and Nora attempt to shut down Freeyond before anyone is uploaded into its shady digital afterlife. As the title of Episode 1 suggests, Nathan is under added time pressure, with his head predicted to explode at any given moment after his first 24 hours in the real world.
This recap contains major spoilers.
Upload Season 3 Episode 1 Recap
This looming threat is summed up in the opening sequence, as Nora dreams about her lover, Nathan. The couple is seen making out together, but then Nathan’s ear starts to bleed and his head violently explodes. Nora wakes from this nightmare to see Nathan with his head still intact, but the threat is still very real; this could technically happen at any moment.
As Nathan adjusts to his new reality back in the real world, the digital afterlife of Lakeview carries on without its favorite guest. Luke holds auditions for a new best friend and Ingrid throws out all of her old clothes, accepting that her relationship with Nathan is officially over.
Unbeknownst to the Lakeview residents, Nathan’s backup copy has been restored and is reactivated by Tinsley. This clone enters the digital afterlife without any memories of the last few weeks. The backup wonders where Ingrid is, still believing that they are together.
Why do Ingrid and Nathan get back together?
He calls her up, just as she is considering moving on from Nathan herself. They reconnect back at Lakeview, hugging and kissing. Ingrid may have wanted to concentrate on herself and forget about Nathan, but this new copy’s adoration for her brings Ingrid right back into this toxic relationship once more. She even agrees to make a new clone of Nathan back in the real world.
Meanwhile, in reality, Nathan and Nora enjoy their first day together. The couple go for a lovely walk but seem to be followed and filmed at every turn. Detective Sato then shows up, eager to swap information with the resurrected coder. Sato leaves his contact details with Nathan.
Next, Nathan and Nora break into Freeyond disguised as cleaners. Nathan enters Freeyond’s virtual afterlife system with plans to shut the entire project down. He can’t gain full access to the system though. Nathan does however find the address for the servers, which are based in New Jersey.
READ: Where was Upload Season 3 Filmed? Locations Explained
Before leaving, Nathan and Nora spy a suspicious meeting taking place in Freeyond Headquarters. David Choak is there, as is Oliver Kannerman. They record this meeting, but little do they know that Choak has actually spotted them as well. And because of this, he is forced to fast-track his own diabolic plan in return.
Nathan and Nora show Matteo their footage. Nora thinks that David Choak is working with the other Upload companies on something sinister. They send this recording to Detective Sato. Nathan and Ivan then head to the server farm, whilst Nora and Matteo try to dissuade the general public from uploading themselves to Freeyond’s system.
Ivan and Nathan make it to the server farm, easily gaining access to the building. They find one solo computer in the entire place. Nathan is confused by this setup, worrying that the company doesn’t have enough data storage for an entire digital world.
What is Freeyond’s plan?
They find a press release video that is yet to be sent out. This video explains Freeyond’s diabolical plans. They are going to blame the Ludds for destroying the entire digital afterlife, which includes the destruction of hundreds of servers and the loss of millions of souls. Nathan realizes that they just want to kill the people so that they are rid of millions of enemy voters.
Nora and Matteo try to convince the queuing general public not to go through with the uploads. Even Nathan’s mother Viv is in the crowd. They fail to persuade anyone to change their minds though. The general public starts to enter the building, uploading to drives with their human bodies being terminated.
Nathan decides to send out the press release. This stops Viv from going through with the upload, saving her life in the process. Then Nora and Matteo break into the facility, holding the employees at gunpoint. They start to collect the drives, hoping to save the victims from complete obliteration.
Upload Season 3 Episode 1 Ending Explained
Detective Sato crashes the party though, holding them at gunpoint. It turns out that he is a bad guy after all. Sato received their footage, but he plans to give it back to David Choak for a financial reward instead. Sato then shoots Matteo in the chest.
Who dies in “Ticking Clock”?
Nora sends Nathan a warning message. She then tries to upload Matteo’s consciousness to the system, but the technology is still warming up. Nora decides to save herself, shooting Sato with the uploading technology. This kills Sato immediately. Unfortunately, she is unable to save Matteo, who also dies.
The episode ends with Nathan racing over to the Freeyond building. On the way there, he has a nosebleed. Nathan and Nora are reunited as police sirens whir in the distance. They take the mountain of drives with them and flee before being arrested.
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