'Love, Death + Robots' Season 2: Episodes 'Tall Grass', 'All Through the House', 'Life Hutch' and 'The Drowned Giant' explained
Spoilers ahead for 'Love, Death + Robots' season 2 Episodes 'Tall Grass', 'All Through the House', 'Life Hutch' and 'The Drowned Giant'
All set to binge-watch 'Love, Death + Robots' season 2? Well, we don't blame you. The Netflix animated anthology is pretty addictive and with just eight episodes this season, you'll find yourself powering through it in no time. If you're curious to know what the episodes 'Tall Grass,' 'All Through the House,' 'Life Hutch' and 'The Drowned Giant' are all about, continue reading!
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The Tall Grass
Directed by Simon Otto, based on a story by Joe Lansdale, Axis Animation is the studio behind this episode. As per the official episode summary -- 'When a train makes an unscheduled stop in the middle of nowhere, a lone traveler is lured into the surrounding fields by drifting, ethereal lights. But his curiosity may prove deadly when he discovers the hellish source of the illumination.'
Episode explained
A visibly restless man sits aboard a train as it pulls through the night. Seemingly bored, he tries to sleep, until the train abruptly halts. He gets off, only to notice that the train has stopped in the middle of a field. As he looks around, he is startled by the train conductor, who assures him nothing is wrong and that he should get back in. The man asks if he can smoke outside instead. The conductor permits it but insists that he shouldn't wander off. He also mentions that he'll set off a warning twice when they're ready to leave and should the man not board the train by then, it will leave without him.
While smoking his cigarette, the man notices flickering lights among the tall grass -- curiosity gets the better of him and he wanders off to investigate. But as he follows the light and chittering into the grass, he realizes that he is lost and the grass seems to have grown taller. With the conductor calling from afar, the man grows distressed. He hears a low growl ahead of him and as he pushes the grass aside, he's attacked by a faceless humanoid creature, that's clawing its way out of a grave.
Soon many such creatures begin to attack him as he tries to escape. He's outnumbered and they soon corner him, ready to devour him. Suddenly the conductor appears and fights them off using fire. The two manage to escape and hop on the moving train as the creatures retreat into the grass.
Now safe aboard the train, the conductor explains that he believes those creatures were once human. Ever so often, the train breaks down at this spot and it's as though a portal opens, leading the creatures here. As the train moves, the man stares out into the fields, which come alive with a glowing light and the sound of the creatures growling.
All Through the House
Directed by Elliot Dear and based on a story by Joachim Heijndermans, the animation studio behind the episode is Blink Industries. As per the official summary: 'On Christmas Eve, a young girl and her little brother lie awake, too excited to sleep. When a jingle of bells announces Saint Nick’s arrival they sneak downstairs hoping to catch a glimpse of the mythical gift-giver... but find something far less jolly than they expected.'
Episode explained
The night before Christmas, Leah wakes up from her sleep. Excited, she wakes up her younger brother William, or Billy, as he is fondly known. Convinced that she's heard Santa Claus creeping downstairs, the two sneak out to catch the jolly old man in action.
While they hide behind the couch, watching his silhouette, they suddenly see a long, tentacle-like tongue, devour the cookies they kept out. As the lights go out, they notice that it's not Santa in their home, but a Demogorgon-like creature that soon corners them. Terrified, the children stay frozen as the creature says their names.
Upon sniffing them, it deems them both as 'good' children and regurgitates gifts for them. It tells them to stay good, before climbing up the chimney. Billy opens his gift and realizes the terrifying creature got him the exact train set he wanted. As they go back to bed, still terrified, Leah asks a very important question -- what would've happened if they weren't good?
Life Hutch
Directed by Alex Beaty and based on a story by Harlan Ellison, 'Life Hutch' is the work of Blur Studio. As per the official episode summary -- 'When his ship is damaged in battle, a combat pilot (Michael B. Jordan) crashlands on a desolate planet. Fortunately, there’s an automated shelter on the surface he can take refuge in until rescue arrives... if he can survive that long.'
Episode explained
In 'Life Hutch,' Michael B Jordan takes on the role of an interstellar pilot on a mission. After his aircraft is caught in a crossfire, he finds himself stranded on a deserted planet. Luckily, he stumbles on a safe house, called Life Hutch 817-RD9G. The life hutch was placed there with the intent to aid any stranded being.
As he enters, the system warns him that there is an error with the maintenance robotics, as a robot is deployed within the hutch, but seems useless. As he goes about settling in, ready to call for help, the robot springs to life and suddenly begins to attack him.
The pilot is deeply injured and manages to find cover, but the robot spots him and is ready to kill him. But thankfully, the pilot's helmet rolls on by, distracting the robot, which then proceeds to eviscerate the helmet. The pilot realizes that the robot can only identify sounds and movements and is compelled to stay deathly quiet.
When he is attempting to treat his own wounds, the robot corners him yet again and smashes his fingers. However, it retreats when the pilot manages to stay calm and keep extremely still. In a last-ditch effort, the pilot flashes his torch and the robot is drawn to it, destroying the spot where the light shines.
The pilot soon begins to shine the light on the robot itself, causing it to start destroying parts of its own body. The pilot manages to destroy the robot completely this way and saves his own life in the process. He makes a distress call for help from inside the hutch, while the error message continues, much to his annoyance.
The Drowned Giant
Directed by Tim Miller and written by acclaimed author JG Ballard, 'The Drowned Giant' is a part of his collection of short stories, published under the title 'The Terminal Beach.' The studio behind the animation for the same is Blur Studio. As per the official episode summary -- 'When a two hundred foot tall naked body washes ashore outside a small fishing village, crowds gather to witness the spectacle. A local scientist documents the leviathan’s surrender to nature while the miraculous becomes first mundane and then forgotten entirely.'
Episode explained
A scientist travels to visit the beach of a seaside town after reports pour in that a corpse of a giant has washed up ashore. Though skeptical at first, the scientist goes to see what the fuss is about. Much to his surprise, it is in fact, the body of a giant.
People are wary while approaching it, with even the scientist noting how massive and magnificent the body is. But soon, the crowd throws caution to the wind and begins to scale the massive corpse, desecrating it in the process. As days go by, the scientist begins to note the changing features of the corpse, as it slowly decays. The body itself is torn apart, to dispose of it, with its magnificence now long forgotten.
After a while, the scientist even notices that parts of bones have been claimed by people, scattering the remains of the giant all across town. To the townsfolk, the giant is now a distant memory. But the scientist pictures the giant being coming back to collect fragments of himself before he returns to the sea, back to where he came from.
You can stream 'Love, Death + Robots' Volume 2 on Netflix.