Underdogs: Season 1, Episode 5 - Total Grossout (2025)

The episode opens with Ryan Reynolds, as narrator, introducing the theme: underdog animals that use gross or unconventional tactics to survive and thrive in nature. He sets the tone with humor, acknowledging that while some strategies may seem disgusting, they are highly effective for the creatures that employ them.

The first sequence focuses on a mother manatee and her calf, referred to as "Nzi," during a harsh Florida winter. The water is too cold for their survival, so the mother decides to lead Nzi on a long journey to a warm-water refuge where manatees gather annually. The mother is determined, motivated by the need to protect her vulnerable calf from the cold. As they travel, the mother must stop frequently to feed on seagrass to produce enough milk for Nzi. However, a problem arises: the mother has accumulated gas from digesting the seagrass, causing her to float uncontrollably at the surface. This buoyancy issue prevents her from diving to feed, putting both her and Nzi at risk of starvation. The mother struggles, visibly distressed, as she tries repeatedly to submerge but cannot. The sequence builds tension as the survival of both manatees hangs in the balance. Eventually, the mother expels the built-up gas, regaining her ability to dive and feed. Relieved, she continues the journey with Nzi, successfully reaching the warm refuge where they join other manatees and are safe for the winter.

The next segment shifts to cave-dwelling fungus gnats. Ryan describes how these insects, despite their small size and unremarkable appearance, have developed a bizarre and effective hunting strategy. The gnats produce sticky mucus strands that hang from the cave ceiling, forming intricate snares. To attract prey, the gnats use bioluminescence from their rear ends to illuminate the mucus traps, creating a dazzling, deadly display. The episode shows the gnats patiently waiting as unsuspecting insects are drawn to the light, become ensnared in the mucus, and are then consumed. The gnats' use of bioluminescent "butt light" is highlighted as a key adaptation that turns them from underdogs into successful predators in their dark, competitive environment.

The episode then explores the hagfish, a deep-sea creature often dismissed as primitive. When threatened by predators, the hagfish releases copious amounts of slime from glands along its body, creating a thick, suffocating cloud in the water. The episode depicts a shark attacking a hagfish, only to be suddenly enveloped in slime. The shark thrashes, trying to escape the mucus, which clogs its gills and forces it to retreat. The hagfish, initially appearing vulnerable, uses this gross defense to deter much larger and stronger predators, ensuring its survival.

Another sequence features the fulmar chick, a seabird that appears helpless in its nest. When a predator, such as a skua, approaches, the chick does not flee or fight in a conventional way. Instead, it projectile vomits a foul-smelling, sticky oil onto the attacker. The episode shows the skua recoiling in disgust, its feathers matted and its senses overwhelmed, causing it to abandon the attack. The fulmar chick's survival hinges on this repulsive but effective tactic, turning the tables on would-be predators.

The final major segment examines the bombardier beetle, an insect that seems outmatched by larger foes. When confronted by an ant or other predator, the beetle mixes chemicals in a special chamber in its abdomen. The episode details the beetle's internal process as the chemicals combine, creating a boiling, noxious spray. The beetle then aims its abdomen at the attacker and releases the spray with a loud pop, startling and burning the predator. The visual is vivid: the attacker is hit by the spray, reacts with pain and confusion, and quickly retreats. The bombardier beetle's ability to transform a chemical reaction into a defensive weapon is presented as a key to its survival against overwhelming odds.

Throughout the episode, Ryan Reynolds narrates each sequence with a mix of scientific detail and comedic commentary, emphasizing how these underdog species use gross or unconventional methods not just to survive, but to thrive in their respective environments. The episode concludes by reinforcing the idea that in nature, sometimes the most effective solutions are also the most surprising--and the grossest.

The episode "Total Grossout" from Underdogs Season 1 ends by showcasing how various underdog animals successfully use gross-out tactics to survive and thrive in their environments, highlighting their creativity and resilience. The main characters--different animal species featured--each demonstrate unique, sometimes shocking strategies that ultimately secure their survival or reproductive success.

Expanding on the ending scene by scene:

The episode concludes with Ryan Reynolds narrating a final montage of the featured animals employing their gross-out defenses or behaviors. First, viewers see a close-up of a skunk releasing its notorious spray, effectively deterring a predator. The camera lingers on the surprised predator retreating, emphasizing the skunk's successful use of its defense mechanism.

Next, the scene shifts to a group of bombardier beetles, which eject a hot chemical spray from their abdomens. The beetles are shown in slow motion as the spray creates a small explosion, startling a would-be attacker. This visual underscores the beetles' remarkable chemical defense.

Following this, the episode highlights a particular species of frog that secretes a toxic, foul-tasting substance on its skin. The frog is shown in its natural habitat, and a predator attempts to bite it but quickly spits it out, leaving the frog unharmed.

The final animal featured is a type of fish that releases a cloud of ink or slime to confuse predators. The episode shows the fish darting away while the predator is left disoriented, illustrating the effectiveness of this gross-out escape tactic.

Throughout these scenes, Ryan Reynolds' narration ties the examples together, emphasizing that these underdogs use what might seem like unpleasant or gross strategies as ingenious solutions to their survival challenges.

In terms of character fate:

• The skunk remains safe and unthreatened after its spray defense.
• The bombardier beetles successfully repel their attackers and continue their life cycle.
• The toxic frog avoids predation and survives to reproduce.
• The slime-releasing fish escapes danger and remains part of its ecosystem.

The episode closes with Ryan reflecting on how these gross-out tactics, while off-putting to humans, are vital evolutionary tools that allow these underdogs to win the "game of life" against often larger or more powerful adversaries.

This detailed ending sequence highlights the episode's focus on the resourcefulness and adaptability of underdog species, showing their survival through unconventional and sometimes shocking means.

The TV show Underdogs, season 1, episode 5 titled "Total Grossout" (2025), does not have a post-credit scene. There are no reported post-credit or after-credits extras for this episode or the series in available sources.

In episode 5, titled "Total Grossout," Ryan reveals various gross-out tactics used by underdogs, including mucus snares and anal hideouts, to survive and succeed in nature's challenges.

Episode 5 features animals that use gross-out tactics to defend their home, find a mate, and win at the game of life, as explained by Ryan, though specific animal species are not detailed in the available summaries.

Ryan explains that gross-out tactics are essential survival strategies for underdogs, helping them overcome challenges by using methods like mucus snares and anal hideouts to protect themselves and achieve their goals.

Yes, episode 5 includes scenes where Ryan explores how underdogs use mucus snares and anal hideouts as part of their gross-out tactics to survive and succeed in nature's challenges.

The episode centers on Ryan's perspective as he guides viewers through the gross-out tactics used by underdogs, but it does not focus on a specific underdog character's personal story.

The TV show Underdogs, Season 1, Episode 5 titled "Total Grossout" (2025), is rated TV-14, indicating it is generally suitable for teens and older but may not be fully appropriate for younger children or very sensitive viewers. It is a nature documentary series narrated by Ryan Reynolds that explores unusual and sometimes "gross" behaviors of animals, including bold hygiene choices, unsavory courtship rituals, and dubious parenting skills.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive people include:

• Scenes depicting unconventional hygiene and gross-out behaviors in animals, such as mucus-coated grubs glowing in caves.
• Unsavory or bizarre mating strategies that may involve violence or unsettling natural behaviors, like male spiders being killed after mating despite offering gifts.
• Dubious parenting behaviors where animal parents may abandon or harm their offspring, which could be distressing to sensitive viewers.
• Some scenes may push boundaries with biological realities that are unusual or shocking but are presented in a family-friendly documentary style.

Overall, while the show is educational and narrated with humor, it contains natural world content that might be disturbing or too intense for young children or very sensitive individuals due to its frank depiction of animal survival behaviors and "gross" natural phenomena.