Mr. Robot: Tapping the Angst Against Technology

Next month USA Network will premiere a new show called Mr. Robot, which promises to challenge our descent down the rabbit hole of the Internet.  Here is the setup:

USA Network presents MR. ROBOT, a psychological thriller that follows Elliot (Rami Malek, The Pacific), a young programmer, who works as a cyber-security engineer by day and a vigilante hacker by night. Elliot finds himself at a crossroads when the mysterious leader (Christian Slater, The Adderall Diaries) of an underground hacker group recruits him to destroy the firm he is paid to protect. Compelled by his personal beliefs, Elliot struggles to resist the chance to take down the multinational CEOs he believes are running (and ruining) the world. This contemporary and culturally resonant drama also stars Portia Doubleday (Her), Carly Chaikin (Suburgatory) and Martin Wallström (Easy Money III).

This sounds like a show that taps into the youthful questions that Edward Snowden and other have been asking - Where is this technology taking us?  It also taps into the questions about the direction of our economy voiced by Occupy Wall Street and others.  Now whether the program will ask any real questions or simply ride on this wave is something else. 

You can find a trailer here as well as multiple trailers at the USA Network website.  And while the official television premiere is June 24th, you can view it online starting May 27th at places such as Hulu, iTunes, Youtube, Xbox Video, and other locations.  I for one plan to take a look at the show this week. 

My only concern is that the program includes Christian Slater, who I have liked as a movie actor but dreaded when it came to television.  I cannot think of any television projects he has helped (including Mind Games, The Forgotten, and My Own Worst Enemy).  Is it a kiss of doom?  Maybe not, but I am wary.