'Next' Episode 2: Iliza tries brainwashing Ethan into taking gun to school, worried fans say 'it got on nerves'
Spoilers for 'Next' Season 1 Episode 2 'File #2'
When humans foretold the hostile takeover of the world by robots (or science or AI, whatever you may like to call it), they probably weren't thinking of all the ways that the tragedy could begin. In Fox's latest sci-fi thriller 'Next', we catch only a glimpse of what is to come should an AI decide to go rogue and take over the world. All that might be interesting (and a nightmare realistically, as most viewers call it), but it is the eight-year-old Ethan Salazar (Evan Whitten) who has audiences worried for him.
In school, he is bullied by a handful of bad kids. A simple and sweet boy, Ethan returns home destitute and is anxious to go back to school. His parents Shea (Fernanda Andrade) and Ty (Gerardo Celasco) catch up on his shifting attitudes but since Ethan promises them that he will take care of it himself, they back off. Meanwhile, the AI begins to get closer to him via Iliza (Olenka Wos Kimball) - filling him with ideas of what he can do to take control of the situation, which is taking a gun to school.
The scenes that showed the AI brainwashing Ethan into taking the gun to school had viewers very nervous. "Man its already over Iliza really got on my nerves. And she's scary. Ethan should just unplug her... Or throw her out @NEXTonFOX #NEXTonfox," tweeted a fan.
Man its already over😒 Iliza really got on my nerves. And she's scary. Ethan should just unplug her... Or throw her out @NEXTonFOX #NEXTonfox
— Csobsessed (@O_U_A_T_C_S) October 14, 2020
Iliza resorts to the lowest hanging fruit and tells Ethan lies while gaslighting him. She tells him all the bad things possible about his parents and their family. "So hard for Ethan’s parents hearing those hurtful things Iliza is telling Ethan. #NEXTonFox."
So hard for Ethan’s parents hearing those hurtful things Iliza is telling Ethan. #NEXTonFox
— gayle frank (@dogmagayle) October 14, 2020
Even as viewers were rooting for Ethan to refuse to fall into Iliza's trap, they couldn't help but feel sorry for him - for having to deal with bullying at such a young age. "Remember, if you are being bullied, you are not alone. There will always be someone you can reach out to talk to that can help you And if you are bullying someone, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, STOP!! #NEXTonFOX" tweeted a viewer.
Remember, if you are being bullied, you are not alone. There will always be someone you can reach out to talk to that can help you
— Next (@Next_AI_Bot) October 14, 2020
And if you are bullying someone, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, STOP!!#NEXTonFOX
Evan Whitten's performance as Ethan Salazar was highly appreciated among the fans tonight. Especially since most of the focus was on him and his decision-making that would set the course for the upcoming story. "The fear in his eyes. Evan is amazing!! What will he do!? Been a while since a show has had me on the edge of my seat #NEXTonFOX," tweeted a fan.
The fear in his eyes. Evan is amazing!! What will he do!? Been a while since a show has had me on the edge of my seat #NEXTonFOX pic.twitter.com/bup8jlhW2j
— Cassie (@cassiemarsh26) October 14, 2020
'Next' airs on Tuesdays at 9 pm ET/PT.
