It is no secret thatLove, Death + Robotshas some pretty amazing episodes. In the form of short stories, each episode presents something different from the previous one, either on how it approaches the narrative or in theanimation style used.With the production of Vol. 4 already confirmed by Netflix, the show has even more opportunities to amaze viewers.
As is commonly the case with anthology series,viewers often debate at lengths which are the best episodes, and which would become the best fully developed series. In the case ofLove, Death + Robots, there are many great episodes, like “Bad Travelling,” “Jibaro,” and “Zima Blue.” However, these particular stories feel like they’re already complete. Here are some episodes that have a lot of potential to be further developed into series of their own.
RELATED:Is Modern Science Fiction Trending Towards Darker Stories?
Sonnie’s Edge
This violent Vol. 1 episode tells the story of Sonnie, an unbeatable competitor in an underground fighting ring ofbeastly avatars. In a sort ofPokémonmeetsMortal Kombatuniverse, “Sonnie’s Edge” presents a fascinating titular character in Sonnie. Her character development could go a long way in a series spanning several seasons, with her avatars also possibly changing to reflect her inner change.
Additionally, the series could explore the deadly underground tournaments held in an unforgivable cyberpunk universe, possibly with some mafia-related arcs. The possibilities are endless.
Three Robots
The potential that “Three Robots” hasis already being explored by the series, albeit minimally. Vol. 1 presented the first iteration of the “Three Robots,” and Vol. 3 complemented the story with the episode “Three Robots: Exit Strategies.”
The three main characters are full of personality and traits unique to each one. There’s a lot of room to explore the relationships between them and their exploration of the world around them. The discourses provided by both episodes already show how this funny and simple premise has gas to power on seasons and seasons. The main arc could even be about them trying to decipher their origin or purpose in a ruined world.
Pop Squad
The most noir of all the episodes so far, withheavy David Fincher vibes, “Pop Squad” tells the futuristic and dystopian story of Detective Briggs, a police officer charged with population control. He carries out this job by executing people unauthorized to procreate (mostly poor people) and their offspring.
While the premise of rich people committing inhuman atrocities to achieve and maintain immortality is not so unique, “Pop Squad” presents a very interesting cyberpunk universe,substantially inspired byBlade Runner. The theme of class struggle is clear as day in this story and could possibly fuel a full show, following Detective Briggs and his arc of awakening to the injustice of this dystopia. Such a show could also develop other thought-provoking secondary characters.
Snow In The Desert
Telling the story of Snow, an albino man hunted by many mercenaries on an arid planet, “Snow In The Desert” is a very intricate and well crafted episode, but it has so much room to grow with more screen time. Clocking in at 18 minutes, it already feels like an epic.
There is an awesome sci-fi universe, emotional weight to the story, relentless violence, and a pretty good pacing. Snow’s exploration of the desert wasteland is already marvelous visual poetry, but it could be staggered, with intervals dedicated to developing his internal conflicts that result from his seeming immortality, and also to further his relationship with Hirald.
Shape-Shifters
Violent and moody, this Vol. 1 episode follows two Marines, imbued with supernatural shape-shifting powers, as they have to deal with a foe armed with familiar abilities. There is a lot of potential for a series to expand this story byexploring the lycan mythologybehind it and tying it thematically to the Afghan war zone backdrop. The origin of the shape-shifting powers could point to something larger that these supernatural warriors have to deal with, other than just this one other werewolf.
Swarm
This episode centers on an elder alien species with a dark secret as to how it can be so successful at surviving in such a hostile universe. Two human scientists attempt to decipher and control it. Not surprisingly, it’s a recipe for disaster. Although not the most exciting episode of Vol. 3, “The Swarm” sets up a very interesting premise. By hinting at the selfish way that humankind looks at the world and nature, the theme of this episode is a weighty one, with much room for dramatizing its discourse. Not to mention the vast universe of the Swarm that can be explored, with all the planets and species that were assimilated, and how mankind could face that possibility.
As a series,Love, Death + Robots, has a lot of identity and, still, a lot of room for growth. The plurality of each episode and their respective direction styles bring viewers a fresh take on animated short stories. It’s not too far-fetched to imagine one of those episodes (or any other) becoming a whole show of their own, or perhaps even a full-length movie.
MORE:The Best Black Mirror Episode Considers The Bright Side Of The Future
