Sunny Season 1 Episode 9 Review: Who’s in the Box?

Sunny Season 1 Episode 9, “Who’s in the Box?” injects a wacky game show twist as our titular homebot grapples with her choices (like a human). It’s a fun homage to the Japanese game show genre and a clever way to examine Sunny’s “mind,” as it were, in the aftermath of last week’s explosive cliffhanger. 

Who’s in the Box? 

This outing brings back Anam Sekiguchi’s Tanaka, the ImaTech lab assistant from the pilot, who hosts “Should Sunny Wipe Herself?!?!” with Judy Ongg’s Noriko. It’s pure, unadulterated A24, plunging itself into the deep end of surreal dark comedy. 

The tonal shift might not fit the show’s overall style, but it works here. There have always been sprinkles of mordant humor throughout this series, and accessing a robot’s “brain” allows for bold stylistic choices. 

The show’s swing for the fences in “Who’s in the Box?” pays off. Much of the narrative’s mystery lies in Sunny’s memories, and thankfully, this episode fills in the blanks regarding that mystery. 

Should Sunny Wipe Herself?

Additionally, the episode digs deeper into its overarching themes of loneliness, which Masa describes as an “epidemic,” our relationship with AI, and, more importantly, how they intersect. We’re growing increasingly reliant on bonds maintained online versus face-to-face contact. 

“Who’s in the Box” illuminates Masa’s reasoning for modifying homebots: to act as a primer for humans looking to reenter society. Masa works hard to help the bots gain empathy, which begs the question: Can robots feel genuine empathy, or whatever we inevitably manufacture in them? 

Moving the Narrative Forward 

Sunny learns significant information during her dark night of the soul. For starters, Tanaka contributed to the homebots’ corruption, including Sunny. Secondly, Himé merely capitalized on what was already inherent in Sunny to make our eponymous bot go bad.

Thirdly, we finally get more context regarding the opening scene in the pilot. Poor Asahi risked his life to save his bot while the other homebot turned on him. After Masa killed the corrupted bot, he decided to rework Sunny, who’d also committed her fair share of immoral acts, as a gift to Suzie. While Sunny’s involvement isn’t entirely out of left field, at least we have some answers. 

In the end, Sunny leaves through the “Wiped” door. Will she return to Suzie as a clean slate? If anything, Sunny’s decision to do this shows she cares deeply for Suzie and is capable of experiencing (and exhibiting) empathy. 

“Who’s in the Box?” leans into Sunny‘s innate charm, playing up the zany comedy while propelling the seasonal narrative. It’s the best episode of the show thus far, with some fun, vivid, aesthetically pleasing visuals and sleek cinematography. 

With the finale fast approaching, here’s hoping the series can tie the remaining loose ends before putting this story to factory blank. 

Stray Observations: 

• “No can do, Pikachu” is my new catchphrase. I don’t make the rules. 
• If Noriko gets out of prison, she should consider a career in hosting Japanese game shows. She has the charm! 
• The audience of Masas gives uncanny valley vibes. Perhaps it’s the CGI. 
• Who would’ve known that the ImaTech lab assistant Suzie yelled at in the pilot would play a role in the corruption of the homebots? Could he have done this on behalf of the Yakuza? 
• I wish I had a wacky game show in my mind to help me dissect and assess my actions.
• We know Zen is alive, so could the same be said for Masa? Perhaps this is wishful thinking on my part.  

What did you think of this episode of Sunny? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Sunny drops new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+.

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