I'd never read the original story. They're both so amazing, and sad. It made my heart ache for all of them. I like how it's not clear how much Ryan feels, if anything; in the original there are little hints that maybe he does, but from Spencer's POV -- Spencer being a relatively rational, logical person -- he's very aware of Ryan's programming, the robotic sounds that Ryan makes. And yet he's lifelong friends with Ryan, and clearly their friendship means a great deal to him. In that way he's fooling himself even more than Brendon, wanting to believe that this robot can return his friendship and affection.

Really interesting universe.