This video of a single person performing an entire robotic total mesorectal excision without active assistance demonstrates that effective retraction skills are key to successful robotic pelvic surgery. We illustrate points pertinent to a total mesorectal excision including effective use of the passive robotic arm to perform macroretraction in order to assist with our operation. We also show a macroretraction technique to actively retract the uterus without using suture retraction while performing our dissection. Lastly, we review relevant pelvic anatomy key to a safe and effective dissection.