Out of the Deep Woods

"**Out of the Deep Woods**" is the first episode of Season 1 of the Netflix series *Sweet Tooth*. It
aired on June 24, 2021 and is the series premiere.

## Synopsis

Growing up in a remote forest cabin with his dad, Gus learns lessons about survival and the dangers that lurk beyond the fence to the outside world.

## Plot

Prior to the Great Crumble, Dr. Aditya Singh notices patients within the hospital have gradually began to grow sicker as their time within the hospital increases. This sickness eventually grows and develops into a worldwide pandemic caused by the H5G9 Virus, known colloquially as *"the Sick"*. Eventually, Adi's wife, Rani Singh falls pray to the Sick and becomes ill too.

Coincidentally, the outbreak of the Sick coincides with the birth of hybrid children; all born with different animal features but all born on the same day.

Meanwhile, Gus grows up within a hideout within Yellowstone National Park with his father, Richard Fox — Gus refers to his father as Pubba, rather than using his full name. Seven years pass, and Gus is finally informed of the world outside of the boundary of the hideout, but is told to stay within the walls, as humans are dangerous.

Despite the numerous warnings, Gus presents himself to be naive and adventurous, and quickly begins to adventure beyond the boundary. Richard pulls Gus back into the boundary but it is too late, and they are quickly marked by a man seen outside of the boundary. Not too long after, the man returns and Gus is forced into hiding by his father. Gus eventually leaves the hideout when he is tempted by a deer, but is interrupted when he hears a scream from his father. Richard returns momentarily but has been injured.

Shortly after supposedly recovering from his illness, Richard tells Gus about his mother, and that her name is Birdie. Richard dies shortly after, however, leaving Gus alone in the woods and to fend for himself for the first time in his life. Gus' imagination runs wild in the weeks following his father's death and he has created stick friends and talks to them regularly.

After finding an old box within his father's belongings, and a photo in the box with "Colorado" marked on the back, Gus believes that he can find his mother. Among the belongings, Gus also finds a flyer about the Preserve, a sanctuary for hybrids. Gus' adventure is cut short, however, when he is attacked by two hunters wanting to sell his antlers on the black market. He is saved, however, by Jepperd, a large and fearsome man.

After initially retreating into the confines of the hideout, Gus is approached by Jepperd and the two talk. Jepperd warns him that setting fires in the daytime could give away his location. Before his departure, Gus asks Jepperd about Colorado but is warned to stay within the hideout as the outside world is dangerous for people like him. Nonetheless, Gus pleads with Jepperd — whom Gus has branded "Big Man" — to take him away from the hideout and to Colorado.

## Cast and Characters

### Starring

* Christian Convery as Gus
* Nonso Anozie as Thomas Jepperd
* Adeel Akhtar as Dr. Aditya Singh
* Will Forte as Richard Fox/Pubba
* Aliza Vellani as Rani Singh
* James Brolin voices the Narrator

### Guest-starring

* River Jarvis as 4 year old Gus
* Nixon Bingley as 7 year old Gus
* Christopher Sommers as Spaghetti
* Christian Tessier as Meatballs

### Co-starring

* Paul Gittins as CDC Spokesman
* Ava Diakhaby as Head Nurse
* Xana Tang as Young Nurse
* Michael Sheasby as Young Man
* Amelia Reynolds as Single Mom

## Trivia

* Jepperd calls Gus "Sweet Tooth" in the episode due to his affinity for sweets. This becomes Gus' nickname but also the reason for the shows title.
* Richard is both introduced and dies in the same episode.