Saagar Kote
AMC’s ‘Soulmates’ is an anthology series set in the near future, exploring a world where technology has reached new heights, specifically through a company called Soul Connex. The corporate entity develops a radical new technology utilizing the “soul particle” to help individuals find their soulmates through a simple test, regardless of their current relationship status. Each episode tells a distinct story, but all narratives are unified by the common element of the Soul Connex technology, depicting a world where people are spiritually connected. Created by William Bridges and Brett Goldstein, the show uses these stories to navigate profound themes such as love, connection, technological dominance, human fragility, and the very nature of truth.
As characters interact with this technology, they are challenged by difficult choices and questions regarding love, life, and existentialism. Throughout its runtime, the science fiction drama series managed to provide the viewers a deeper experience and pose significant questions about morality, which is why it surprised the fans when it was revealed in 2023 that the show had been canceled.
Soulmates Was Canceled Despite Initial Renewal
‘Soulmates,’ despite having separate stories in each episode, managed to keep hold of its viewers due to its complex narrative style and profound philosophical queries into the nature of human beings. While being a science fiction show set in the future, it stayed grounded in its approach towards the development of characters. Although the show had enough established storylines to build a second season on, it was canceled after the end of the first season. However, things could have been different. In 2020, two months before the airing of the first season, the show was renewed for a second season by AMC. The aforementioned creators had also expressed enthusiasm about continuing to work with AMC and coming up with new stories.
However, this renewal didn’t last for long as the show was reportedly canceled sometime in 2022. According to sources, the show’s cancellation was carried out discreetly by the network, and it never moved ahead with the second season. The series was seemingly canceled due to issues involving the busy schedule of Brett Goldstein, one of the creators. His involvement as writer and executive producer in Apple TV+’s ‘Shrinking’ and ‘Ted Lasso’ made it difficult for him to dedicate time to ‘Soulmates.’ The disappointing ratings of the show could also have been a factor behind the cancellation. Reportedly, the six episodes of the first season had fewer than 200,000 viewers tuning in. This presumably led to executive decisions that were unfavorable to the continuation of the show.
There have been speculations about tax policies being a factor in the discontinuation of the show. AMC representatives haven’t clarified the exact reasons behind the show’s cancellation, but the network was apparently looking to benefit from tax write-offs. Due to multiple factors, the show couldn’t be continued by the network. Though the final episode of the first season asks deeper questions about the Soul Connex app, the viewers will have to come up with their own theories to satiate their curiosity.
Soulmates Season 2 Could Have Introduced Fresh Stories and Tougher Moral Dilemmas
In the first season, ‘Soulmates’ delves into deeply intriguing stories, right from the first episode. Marriages, impossible matches, murders, chaos, assisted suicide, and more are dealt with in the series, making it a nuanced exploration of the human psyche. A second season could have focused on new stories in each episode. Other aspects of the Soul Connex technology could have been navigated, especially the way in which it adapts to social change. It has been established by the narrative that the technology was created using the soul particle. However, we haven’t learnt about the real nature of the particle. The second season could have explored the way in which the soul particle works, and if it is being controlled by corporate entities.
While we see some “perfect” matches in the first season, there have been many instances where matches have been less than perfect and even deadly. In the cases of Mateo and Jonah, they transcend the need for the technology and find genuine human connection, and in Caitlin’s case, she is matched with a serial killer. A new season could have navigated these angles intensely. The changes in the technology may have led to unintended consequences. Since the technology isn’t static and will be worked on by scientists, it is possible that they will come up with new features.
These improvements in the technology could either fix the existing issues or compound them. The show could also have introduced new characters to challenge the Souls Connex app. We could also have seen the rise of rival companies that could compete against the domination of Soul Connex. Although ‘Soulmates’ is an anthology series, a new season could have given the viewers a deeper perspective and exciting new characters.
Read More: Soulmates Ending Explained
