Upamanyu Biswas
Season 4, episode 7, of Netflix’s ‘Love Death + Robots,’ titled ‘The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur,’ features gladiator-like games taking place in the far reaches of the solar system, where both enslaved humans and dinosaurs compete for survival. While the premise seems like a confusing mix of genres, its key storyline is delivered through one human contender who has her target firmly set on victory. As the epic games unfold, it quickly becomes clear that the watching aristocratic crowd takes great pleasure in watching the human participants kill and maim each other to obtain a small slice of glory and also hold onto their lives. However, for the unnamed protagonist, this unfair relationship is predicated on enslaving unfortunate folk like her who have designs to fight back against oppression. SPOILERS AHEAD.
How is the Aristocracy Torn Down?
While the competition begins with the group of humans racing one another atop their dinosaur mounts, the challenges of the round pale in comparison to what follows. After the unnamed competitor of East Asian descent wins the first game, the aristocracy releases a Tyrannosaurus into the arena, which immediately starts heading for her. She watches the only other surviving competitor, who is also her lover, get eaten by the monstrous beast, an act that provokes her to retaliate. Subsequently, she maneuvers her Triceratops to gore the giant creature before it can damage her any further. A struggle ensues between the sides, which ends with both inflicting grievous injuries on the other. Meanwhile, the aristocratic crowd goes delirious with celebrations, showcasing the disparity between their lives and the lives of their subject.
With both human and Tyrannosaur badly wounded, the two realize that their allegiances should be with one another instead of serving the objectives of their unfeeling masters. In the end, they combine efforts to make one final attack, this time on the glass chamber protecting the Lord Chalon of Europa and Duchess Saraka of Callisto, the two figureheads of their society. The Tyrannosaurus leaps off the ground and chomps them both, dragging them out of their box and towards the ground. Although effective in its goal, it also ends up costing the lives of the attackers themselves, as the Tyrannosaur passes away alongside the broken bodies of the two rulers. At the same time, the unnamed protagonist consoles the dinosaur as she watches the destruction around her, satisfied that she was able to strike back at those who made life hell for her.
In some ways, the episode superimposes a primarily Roman concept of gladiator fights into a space-based narrative, effectively highlighting the pitfalls awaiting humanity in the future. The vast economic inequality between the rich and poor has paved the way for horrifying games like the one depicted, where unwanted humans and genetically restored dinosaurs combat one another for the pleasure of a small group of humans. There is a sense of apathy on the side of the elites, who view the games as a trifling sport meant to appease and provide entertainment, an idea similar to Ancient Rome’s practices. To that end, the class themes within the narrative are quite evident. Therefore, tearing down the ideals of such a society is what fuels the protagonist in the episode. She has suffered unimaginably at the hands of her oppressors and wants revenge more than anything.
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