thing is, Topher didn't specify the gender of the imprint he wanted when he asked for one. And Matrix man didn't know why he wanted the imprint, so I assumed that he wanted a buddy and not a sex partner.

I take it back- Couch Baron made quite a few jokes at the start of the recap that insinuated that he thought they did the deed, but then at the end:

And I should add that I was sure the first time around they had offscreen sex, because it's Topher, and how could I not think that, but despite all the jokes I made, on second viewing I don't think they did, both because the entire plotline comes off as very geekily wholesome, and because it's Fox and I frankly think they would have shown it if it had happened.

right, le nubian, they mention that too:

I think Topher talks a good game, but is possibly asexual. And the fact that they were tossing a football around, and that he didn't care which Active he got, I really think he would have been just as happy with a dude.

Sorry for the misreporting- Couch Baron really laid the sexual entendre jokes on thick at the start!

Sierra seemed more like one of the guys than a potential sexual partner to me.

Right. I think that it's significant that he didn't specify a gender he just said "I need an Active". I mean, maybe he would have made up some excuse if Boyd had suggested a male active.

OTOH, the scene with the cupcake and the candle seemed very much like something a woman would do, not a man. but then, maybe the imprint said something like "do stuff for Topher's birthday" and the doll interpreted it according to the personality? Hmm.

because it's Fox and I frankly think they would have shown it if it had happened.

I agree. I think it would have at least been implied and I never even got the implication.

I agree. I think it would have at least been implied and I never even got the implication.

The most amorous thing shown was the birthday cupcake, and that was pretty light. Mostly, I think the discussion misses the mark of what that plot illustrated: that Topher is very, very lonely, and that Adelle indulges him.

In a lot of ways, although this was a standalone, I find it was telling about a number of characters, and I think, like some of the earlier episodes, it's one I may return to when the mysteries of Alpha and the "insider" are unveiled. I think there was something we were supposed to see here, but we wouldn't recognize it yet.

Mostly, I think the discussion misses the mark of what that plot illustrated: that Topher is very, very lonely, and that Adelle indulges him.

and emotionally immature. Given that he can make anyone he wants, he chooses someone who plays video games and laser tags and loves junk food.

What type of person would an emotionally mature person make? One who reads Proust and loves molecular gastronomy?

I think I'm fairly developed but I wouldn't want to hang out with that person. It would be rough to be judged inferior by a bot.