All the Love, Death & Robots volume 2 episodes ranked

by Althea Kalalo / May 17, 2021

 

Note: This is a spoiler-free article

A TV show about either love, death, or robots can be interesting, but one that centers on all three elements, and delivers awe-inspiring stories and visuals, is irresistable. That’s why it was no surprise that once the anthology series Love, Death & Robots aired in 2019, it became an award-winning hit. 

Created by Tim Miller, the show consists of adult animated shorts that are anywhere between four and eighteen minutes. It has generally been praised for its enthralling animation, outside-the-box storytelling, and willingness to traverse daring themes.

Now, the show is back for its highly anticipated second volume, ready with eight new episodes to entertain, shock, and thrill viewers. Because each episode presents a different story, some stand out more than the others. Curious to know which episodes delivered? Here’s our ranking of the volume two episodes from our least to most favorite. To give you an even better idea of which shorts you would probably like, we also included why each episode is worth watching:

8. The Tall Grass

If you’re looking for a short that’s reminiscent of H.P. Lovecaft or Stephen King, The Tall Grass is your best bet. It revolves around a man who becomes curious about the lights within the tall grass. The story is straightforward to the point that it becomes predictable, which is probably why it’s our least favorite of the bunch. However, its visual style complements the story well and plays a huge factor in keeping this episode fascinating.

Watch it for: The eerie, supernatural vibe it gives off.

7. The Drowned Giant

The Drowned Giant feels like a moment of peace from the chaotic worlds that the other episodes have. It depicts a giant washing up on a town’s shore and a scientist who narrates his thoughts and feelings on the matter. More than anything, it unfolds like a reflective piece on death and how fast people can just forget. It’s an interesting watch, but there’s something about it that comes across as disconnected to the other episodes in the volume.

Watch it for: A moment of introspection and a somewhat solemn way to end volume two.

6. Life Hutch

Life Hutch is about a pilot whose ship crashed and must send for help. This seems easy enough until he encounters an unexpected challenge. The mood that this short has is comparable to volume one’s Lucky 13 or even Beyond the Aquila Rift. Unfortunately, it doesn’t pack the same kind of oomph as those episodes. There’s potential in the storytelling, and it builds real tension even with the minimal dialogue, but it just isn’t as compelling as it could have been.

Watch it for: The tense atmosphere that the pilot’s situation creates and of course, Michael B. Jordan.

5. Ice

Here on earth, people who have unnatural abilities stand out, sometimes even in a bad way. But what would it be like if being a normal human is what’s deemed as peculiar? At the surface, that’s what Ice is about. However, it’s also about two teenage brothers trying to fit in on a new planet, despite a glaring difference that one of them has with everyone else. While the story alone is good, one of the episode’s strongest points is its usage of shadows and colors to drive the storytelling.

Watch it for: Some adrenaline, familial love, and fascinating animation reminiscent of a 90’s cartoon.

4. Automated Customer Service

It makes sense that as technology advances, automation becomes more rampant in everyday life. Automated Customer Service takes this to the next level by showing how people barely need to move a muscle because of robots and tech. It definitely makes life easier, but at what cost? This episode is a light watch compared to the others, but sends a strong underlying message about how a heavy reliance on technology can backfire.

Watch it for: A story that isn’t too far fetched considering today’s tech dependency, and the cute puppy it features throughout the short.

3. All Through the House

All Through the House is quick, fun, and Christmas-themed – what’s not to like? It’s a unique take on something a lot of children have tried or thought of doing: catching Santa Clause in the act of leaving gifts. Even if it’s the shortest episode in this volume, its humorous and witty way of telling the story is a delight, proving that having a long running time isn’t a factor in creating something great.

Watch it for: A fun short that ends with an interesting question.

2. Snow in the Desert

Snow in the Desert does a good job of showing what Love, Death & Robots is at its core. The episode is about Snow, a wanted fugitive trying to survive in a dystopian world. It’s a straightforward story, but the great visuals and the manner of which the events unfold set it up nicely. The gore also makes sense, and nothing feels like it was just thrown in for shock value. The episode also finds a balance between action and genuine emotions, making it a well-rounded short.

Watch it for: A good dystopian short that has a little bit of everything.

1. Pop squad

If there’s an episode with a lot to unpack, it’s Pop Squad. It is futuristic but still grounded on very real emotions and conflict. Does having the vote of the majority make something right? How do you deal with internal turmoil and guilt? What is it really that gives humans fulfillment? These are just some of the questions that you may find yourself asking while watching it. It’s a stunning, contemplative piece, but just be ready to feel heavy all throughout the episode.

Watch it for: A poignant story that will have you hooked from start to finish.

Overall, Volume 2 learned a lot in terms of removing the unnecessary violence and hypermasculinity that took hold of some Volume 1 episodes. All of the episodes felt focused on the story it was trying to tell, making it easier for viewers to understand the worlds they were set in.

Love, Death & Robots can still fine tune some things here and there, and hopefully the show returns with a volume with more episodes, but there’s no denying how it creates fascinating stories that are both thought-provoking and entertaining.

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