Love, Death & Robots Season 1 Netflix Series Review

Love, Death & Robots (2019-)
Season 1 - 18 episodes (2019)

Watch Love, Death & Robots Season 1 on Netflix
Created by: Tim Miller
Starring: Scott Whyte, Nolan North, Matthew Yang King
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer & more info

Plot
In this animated anthology series for adults, the shorts span the genres of science fiction and fantasy to horror and comedy while presenting a variety of animation formats from traditional 2D to photo-real 3D CGI. Each segment is about ten minutes long, created by different teams of filmmakers from around the world.

Verdict
This is a fun watch. Each ten minute episode provides a quick idea, some only half an idea, but I loved every bit of it. Even the episodes I didn't like as much, are over soon enough. Some of the CGI is just crazy good. There are a lot of episodes that are really neat. Even if you aren't a fan of sci-fi, this isn't always heavy on the science. I like that this isn't a show that asks me to remember a lot or watch a dozen episodes for a conclusion. It's easy, fun, and I want more. This contains eighteen unique ideas, and some of these worlds are ripe to be revisited. I hope this gets a second set of stories.
Watch it.

Review
I was excited about the premise, a sci-fi anthology, and this delivered. I prefer live action over animation, but in sci-fi it gives creators the ability to stray farther from reality. From the trailers, you realize this show is aimed at adults. There is plenty of casual, and not so casual, nudity. Also, lots of blood, though that's not present in every episode.

Episode five, Three Robots, became a fast favorite. It's a fantastic ten minute jam whether or not you like sci fi or animation. It's a change of pace that's a lot more glib. I also really liked episode eight, Suits, it tells a story we've seen before but does it so well. Episode sixteen, Zima Blue, was a stunner. It delves deep into finding meaning. It stands above the other episodes.

Episode 1 - Beyond the Aquila Rift

The CGI in the first episode, Beyond the Aquila Rift is uncanny. It's very realistic. The animation is great, the story and dialog is lacking. It's a good hook to pull in people that may not be keen on animation as this looks more live action. The ending completely makes this episode. With all of these episodes, the short nature gives it a lot of punch and the ability to enact a quick twist. The length definitely helps.

Episode 5 - Three Robots

Some episodes feel too short, while some are less sci-fi and more just a fun story. Episode five, Three Robots, follows three robots after the world ended. The episode is really funny and the writing is quite a bit better than some of the other episodes. I'm also glad not all episodes are blood, guts, and nudity. Episode five soon became one of my favorites. It's a look at the world from a perspective that is once removed.

Episode six, Ice Age, included a live action portion with Topher Grace playing a character that has a tiny civilization in his freezer. It's a more fun episode as he gets to watch a civilization advance from the Ice Age.

Episode seven, The Witness, is only half an idea, but I'm glad stuff like this has an outlet. I enjoyed the half idea. A lot of these episodes lead me to wanting a full series, but that length would rob a lot of these of what makes them good. It's hard to overstay the welcome here.

Episode 8 - Suits

Episode eight, Suits, has mecha equipped farmers. It's more a traditional style of animation, and while it has some predictable parts in the story, I didn't care I knew where it was going, because the episode made it such a good moment. This was near the top, and the twist on the ending made it even more fun.

On the title alone, When the Yogurt Took Over, I eagerly anticipated episode nine. It's a lot of exposition and an interesting concept that feels kind of flat. But with the length, you might as well watch it anyway.

Episode 13 - Helping Hand

Despite the short run time, episode twelve, Shape-Shifters, packed a lot into the episode. It's more fantasy than sci-fi but it delves into discrimination in an intriguing way. Episode thirteen, Helping Hand, was a wild ride that got dark.

Episode fourteen, Fish Night, was kind of shallow, but the animation in episode fifteen, Lucky 13, made me wonder if there was some live action overlay. You get a pilot that bonds with her ship and it leads to the question, was the ship sentient. We want it to be, but want doesn't equate to fact.

Episode 16 - Zima Blue

Episode sixteen, Zima Blue, might be the best. It's a search for meaning that really throws you for a loop. The art style is more stylized, and this episode easily has the most depth, asking difficult questions. It's a great story. Absolutely fantastic.

Episode seventeen, Blindspot, was a Fast & Furious style heist. Simple and to the point.

Episode 18 - Alternate Histories

Episode eighteen, Alternate Histories, was a fun history altering attempt. You can't change the past. You can't kill Hitler.

I loved this series. It was a blast to watch and easy to binge. It's a series I've come back to watch again if only for background noise. Even then, some episodes pull you back in.