By Si Ying and Qing Dai, Original Work No. 44 in 2025
“Ice” is the second episode of the second season of “Love, Death & Robots,” lasting only thirteen minutes and thirty seconds, yet it is rich in visuals and imagination.
Every story must convey a theme, and what does “Ice” convey? Since it is about ice, it implies a connection to coldness and snow.
The author of “Ice” is Canadian writer Rich Larson, a science fiction author whose works have been translated into multiple languages, including Polish, Italian, and Japanese.
This short story titled “Ice” has not only been adapted into a short film in the second season of “Love, Death & Robots” but has also won an Emmy Award.
The advancement of science is reflected not only in production and technology but also in the improvement of human genetics. In this short film, humans have been modified, enhancing their physical capabilities and granting them greater strength.
Sechwick is a sixteen-year-old boy and the only child among humans who have migrated to this cold ice planet in a hundred light years that has not been modified.
On this planet, all humans have undergone modifications. Modified humans are superior in both physical abilities and adaptability compared to those who have not been modified.
Sechwick has a brother named Flancher, who has also been modified and is stronger than his brother in every aspect. Flancher has several friends, while Sechwick has none.
Flancher and his friends plan to go see the ice whales, and when he is about to leave, Sechwick wants to join him.
Flancher refuses, believing it is inappropriate, but he is actually worried that Sechwick won’t keep up with them.
Sechwick insists he can take care of himself and tells Flancher how it feels when his younger brother is better than him in every way.
Flancher understands Sechwick very well, so the two brothers set off together.
As Flancher steps outside, he performs a beautiful backflip, easily landing from several flights of stairs.
While walking down the street, Sechwick is mocked as an “outsider” by people, even when he meets Flancher’s friends, who refer to him the same way. To them, those who have not been modified are naturally outsiders.
The outdoors is a world of ice and snow, with thick ice layers on the ocean, and they head towards the ice whales.
Along the way, the wind and snow hit them, but they do not avoid it; instead, they walk towards the place where the ice whales are.
Logan is the leader of the group, and she explains that ice whales do not like machines in the sea; once they leave the ice layer, they will leap.
Ice whales must break through the ice layer to breathe, and they will not stop until they create a breach.
Logan also confidently states that the ice whales will strike seven times. What everyone needs to do is to run back to safety when the ice whales start to strike the ice layer.
The ice whales begin to strike the ice layer, and the group desperately runs back to the starting point. The modified individuals leap and run like deer, moving at incredible speeds. Sechwick also runs back with all his might, but it is clear that his speed is not as fast as that of the modified humans.
During the run, Flancher’s foot gets stuck in the thick ice layer, but he breaks free and falls onto the ice.
Flancher’s friends run ahead quickly, telling him to run back by himself. Only Sechwick, who is lagging behind, runs to Flancher and comforts him, saying he is there for him.
Sechwick carries Flancher on his back, running with all his strength on the ice. Logan cheers him on from the safe starting point, shouting, “Run faster, you outsider!”
The ice whale strikes the ice layer with great force, and the two brothers safely land back at the starting point due to the impact.
Upon returning to the starting point, Flancher’s friends praise Sechwick for running so fast, and Logan explains that sometimes the ice whale only strikes six times; this time, it only struck six times.
The ice whale leaps out of the ocean, its streamlined and shimmering body is beautiful!
The two brothers walk home, and Flancher helps Sechwick retrieve his hat that was taken by his friends. At this moment, Sechwick is surprised to discover that Flancher’s leg was not injured at all.
The two brothers walk down the snowy street, discussing the beautiful sights they just witnessed; even living in a snowy land, everything is still beautiful.
This short film actually conveys several lessons. The first is that regardless of whether one is modified or not, everyone should have equal rights to enjoy life. For example, Sechwick also wants friends and to have experiences like those around him.
The second lesson is that true love is acceptance, tolerance, and help. Just like Flancher treats Sechwick, pretending to be injured to encourage him.
The third lesson is that truly beautiful things are meant to soar, just like the ice whales beneath the sea.