In what seemed to be a tragic fate awaiting Ryan Gosling’s Ryland Grace in ‘Project Hail Mary‘, the film ultimately delivers a happy, feel-good ending, perhaps the best kind viewers could hope for. Yet it also leaves them with more questions than answers.
After completing the mission to save the planet he was tasked with, we see Grace build a surprisingly new life in the quiet, dim world of an alien planet, where a once-fading sun now shines brightly again. The former middle school science teacher and retired molecular biologist, who once carried the weight of saving two worlds, now calls Erid, the home of 40 Eridani, his own. But how did that become possible?
Far From Earth, Eridians Built an Ocean for Ryland Grace
Years after the desperate journey of Hail Mary, Grace lives in a special habitat designed by his alien friend, Rocky, and other fellow Eridians. Instead of being alone, he now resides in a place full of discovery, where he has somewhat become a link between two species.
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You see, Grace’s new life on this new planet means more than science. The man who once argued that life may not need water at all now lives beside an ocean that was specially curated just for him. And this just shows that friendship can change even the rules of an entire planet.
On Erid, a dry planet where life evolved without liquid water, this was not easy to create. However, the Eridians built a sealed biodome just for Grace by using advanced materials like xenonite. Inside, there is controlled weather, soft sandy beaches, and most importantly, a wide stretch of water that feels like Earth.
To Grace, this ‘seaside home’ is more than just comfort; it shows how far Eridians went to help him survive and feel at home.
What Does Ryland Grace Eat on Erid?
If you thought Grace’s new home was unusual, his diet is even more so. Initially, he relied on Taumoeba, the microbe that feeds on Astrophage, to stay alive.
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Now, fortunately, things are a bit advanced. As it turns out, Eridian scientists studied his biology and used a tissue sample to grow his cells, creating lab-made food he jokingly calls “me-burgers.” These provide the protein and nutrients his body needs, since nothing on Erid is actually safe for humans to eat.
Ryland Grace’s Age and Physical Condition At The End Of ‘Project Hail Mary’
About 15 to 16 years after arriving on Erid, Grace is clearly feeling the effects of time and the planet’s stronger gravity. His body is not as strong as it used to be. Moreover, he suffers from arthritis, due to which he moves more slowly and often needs a cane to get around.
But, as one would expect, Grace’s mind is sharp. Living far from Earth and growing older has not taken away his curiosity or his ability to think clearly.
Grace’s New Teaching Career
Teaching is still what drives Ryland Grace. Back on earth, he used to teach middle school students about science and space. And now on Erid, he teaches young Eridians, curious students who communicate through sound.
But where does his class take place? Does he have a dedicated classroom? No. It is revealed that his classes take place in his habitat, where he explains ideas using tools adapted to them.
For Grace, this life does not feel like being stuck far from home. It feels meaningful in the best possible way, and instead of going back to Earth alone, he has chosen to teach again, helping a new generation to learn and grow, even if they are not humans.
And truth be told, maybe that serves Grace’s best interests. After all, he was deceived by the humans on Earth, something that probably will not happen in his newfound life on Erid.
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