Using this one as a focal point for a lot of thoughts I've been having - not only about this episode. Honestly, I'm just using this as a springboard/excuse to rant about protest etiquette.

First off, I need to rant. I feel like there's this misconception of potentially arrestable actions that they're some facet of the "glorious revolution" that factions of leftists are keen to cling on to, that they're some riot that feels like a promise of change. They're not. They're exhausting and scary and 100% worth it, but planned actions like the one Starky's doing, well, it's not like it's stonewall. No one *wants* a confrontation. Showing it like this, like it's some mighty "we'll go down fighting (literally)" type stand, it's dangerous. We need to stop creating false expectations like this - the stand is in the action itself, in making sure you and your comrades get out safe.

But this? They're teaching the kids the wrong idea about protests! If there's a risk of arrest or other consequence, you need to be COVERING YOUR FACE and have an escape plan - you don't "stand firm", that's how you get arrested! Stop teaching the children unsafe protest practice! Those bright shirts - where's your bloc? Where's your mask? Where's your basic understanding of how bad getting caught in an illegal protest can screw up your life and the protection and planning needed to prevent that? Protest safely, kids - here's some tips from TKDB.

I'm really glad that the guy touting all that was revealed to be a turncoat, because it did create a bit of the impression that you shouldn't trust what he said (and also because he seemed to be the most okay with being arrested/action-hardliner-type, and this showed that that presentation of extremism is more likely to be fake/misguided.)
sorry for the rant. anyway -

Echoing everyone else - lol that's not a cyborg.

Have I mentioned how much I love the CCPC units. their design is riot gear - which is broken out at times of heavy unrest, and often pre-emptively issued when the political situation means unrest is expected, such as when we get more restrictive, fascist laws coming into effect. And their voices are actually f**king genius - they're cockney, they're a symbol of London, they're tailored to give the impression of being truly British while actually being used to control the British population (or, possibly London - I'm not entirely clear if the dictatorship is actually the whole country, or if the city is kind of cut off). Shame I could never understand Birdy's words - that transcript was a real godsend!

The rogue CCPCC with a bit of humanness? it's first instinct is to protect people - strangers in trouble! - from the cops. Protection and resistance are encoded in human dna. They are the most human things imaginable. Once again, bemoaning that this show with all my favourite themes that teaches the kiddies how to fight back against authoritarianism is just so clunky and badly made and overall mid!!!

Ignoring more stupid teenage love triangle s**t, I loved the bit where Starky was surprised that Jorjie's friend, a fellow activist, hadn't heard of him. Like bbg that's how it's supposed to be, but also, it's only natural to be desparate for people to know of your accomplishments... he's only a kid so it's forgiven but, irl, guys don't brag about your activism, that's how they get you. Could be your downfall. Still, the idea of credit, of wanting people to know that it was YOU who didn't lie down and take it, who fought back... I f**k with this severely.

So yeah, another day, another great concept of an episode/really brilliant setting that is so necessary in today's world, especially in kids' TV, with some of the worst and most boring execution I've ever seen. Not rating this one. Go watch it for yourself.