‘Primal’ Season 3 brings back one character we all thought was gone forever but it comes at a huge cost
Adult Swim's animated series 'Primal' Season 3 is grabbing major headlines thanks to its unique potpourri of action and horror. Created by Genndy Tartakovsky, the premiere episode of Season 3 centers around the revival of Spear (voiced by Aaron LaPlante). For the unversed, Spear was shown dead in the Season 2 finale, leaving fans puzzled about how the caveman could return after being killed.
For context, at the end of 'Primal' Season 2, Spear, Fang, and Fang’s two babies were living peacefully with Mira (voiced by Laëtitia Eïdo) and her advanced tribe. That peace is shattered when a Viking, who had previously enslaved Mira, makes a deal with a demonic entity to gain fiery, shape-shifting powers in exchange for capturing Spear and Fang's souls. He attacks Mira's village, seemingly kills Spear, and returns to the underworld, setting the stage for the dark, intense storytelling that defines 'Primal,' as per The Wrap.
At the end of Season 2, Spear dies after being severely burned, but Mira ensures his legacy continues. A flash-forward shows Mira and Spear's daughter riding one of Fang's babies into battle. In Season 3, Spear is resurrected when a grey-bearded man, likely Mira's father, creates a magical potion and brings him back to life after skull-faced invaders attack another village. After being resurrected, Spear functions like an automaton, obeying the old man's orders to eliminate the skull-faced attackers brutally.
When the old man is killed, the spell breaks, leaving Spear alive but directionless. Now back from the dead, he must rediscover his identity, figure out his purpose, and make sense of mysterious flashes of a roaring dinosaur. Notably, Magic and undead creatures aren't entirely new to 'Primal.' In Season 1, Episode 7, a zombie-like Argentinosaurus spreads a deadly infection, forcing Spear and Fang to survive its rampage. While that episode didn't feature spells or potions, the series has a history of witches and other supernatural elements, showing that magical and fantastical twists have always been part of 'Primal.'
The latest episodes of 'Primal' are more violent and emotionally powerful than anything Tartakovsky has done before. Spear's journey is unique and unforgettable, making this season a standout achievement. Viewers are encouraged to simply experience it. Moreover, if you missed the Season 3 premiere on Adult Swim, you can still watch it through several streaming options.
DIRECTV offers free access with a trial and up to $40 off your first month, Philo provides an $8 discount on the first month and includes ad-supported HBO Max and discovery+ tiers, and Sling TV offers 50% off the first month with flexible day, weekend, week, monthly, or season passes, as per Cleveland. Episodes are also available the next day on HBO Max, with additional savings when bundled with Disney+ and Hulu, making it easy to catch up on the latest adventures of Spear and Fang.
