Primal Season 3 Episode 2 Review: Kingdom of Sorrow

The second episode of Primal Season 3 transports viewers into a haunting landscape of memory and survival. Titled "Kingdom of Sorrow," the episode follows the reanimated Spear as he navigates a world that feels both familiar and alien. Without a single line of dialogue, the series relies on its signature visual storytelling to convey a deep sense of longing and instinct.

As the episode progresses, the narrative shifts from serene natural beauty to visceral, high-stakes action. The journey is not just physical but psychological, as zombie Spear battles external threats and internal fragments of his former self. The animation remains a standout, capturing every nuance of movement and emotion in this prehistoric world.

The episode opens with a scene of absolute tranquility, establishing the delicate ecosystem of the Primal universe. A herd of antelope-like creatures grazes peacefully in a lush meadow, highlighting the circle of life in vivid detail. A young calf nurses at its mother's side while birds rest on the backs of the larger beasts, pecking away at insects. Even a rodent scurrying through the abundant dung adds to the sense of a thriving, balanced environment.

This peace is shattered by the arrival of Spear. The animals sense his unnatural presence long before he is visible, scattering in a panic. It becomes clear that Spear is not hunting them; he is driven by a singular, instinctual purpose. Flashbacks of his past life guide him, a subconscious beacon calling him toward Fang and the remnants of his former existence. The contrast between the vibrant life of the meadow and Spear's haunting presence sets a somber tone for the episode.

• Antelope herds grazing in a sunlit meadow
• Birds perched on the backs of beasts
• Scattering wildlife sensing unnatural danger

As Spear moves forward, the background dissolves around him, visually representing the passage of time and space. The lush greenery gives way to the harsh, arid environment of a desert, emphasizing the grueling nature of his quest. The animation captures the slow, deliberate pace of his advance, creating a poetic sequence of a solitary figure traversing a vast, empty landscape. The visual style remains a hallmark of Genndy Tartakovsky's direction, prioritizing atmosphere over exposition.

Despite the desolation, the episode does not shy away from action. The first major conflict arises when Spear encounters a massive, Dune-inspired sandworm. The creature is a formidable opponent, forcing Spear to utilize his physicality in new ways. He runs and even gallops on all fours, showcasing a resurgence of primal agility. The battle leaves him damaged, yet it seems to spark a flicker of awareness. In a subsequent encounter, Spear demonstrates newfound intelligence by seeking safety in a tree until the threat passes.

Those first couple of minutes of the animals just living their lives is almost poetic.

The most profound moment in "Kingdom of Sorrow" occurs when Spear confronts a vision of his living self. Physically battered and mentally diminished, he reaches out to touch the spear held by his former, human incarnation. This hallucinatory encounter serves as a bridge to his fragmented memories, allowing him to piece together his history. The vision culminates in an image of both versions of Spear engulfed in flames, a visceral reminder of his death in Season 2.

This sequence confirms that the zombie Spear is capable of cognitive thought and emotional processing. He is not merely a mindless creature but a being haunted by his own history. The animation of the character is particularly noteworthy; the synchronization of his blinks is slightly off, and his guttural sounds convey a raw, visceral existence. He climbs mountains and withstands falling rocks with a resilience that is both terrifying and sympathetic.

• Touching the spear of his living self
• Remembering the flames of his death
• Regaining cognitive instincts

The second major action sequence involves a violent run-in with a pride of lions. The scene begins with a moment of hope, as Spear mistakes the glowing eyes in the shadows for Fang. This brief illusion is quickly shattered as the lions attack, leading to a bloody and chaotic battle. The animation of the fight is expertly designed, capturing the ferocity of the lions and the desperate survival instincts of Spear.

Amidst the carnage, Spear's returning intelligence proves crucial. He locates a blade attached to a human skeleton and uses it to dispatch the king of the lions. While the violence is intense, the episode frames the lions' deaths as tragic; they were simply protecting their territory, much like the peaceful creatures seen at the start. The episode concludes with a reminder that the world of Primal encompasses both the beauty of nature and the brutality of the food chain.

Just like the tranquility that opened this episode, the carnage and bloodshed that ends it is also the world of Primal.

"Kingdom of Sorrow" solidifies Primal Season 3 as a masterclass in visual storytelling. By stripping away dialogue, the series forces viewers to engage with the raw emotions and physical realities of its characters. The episode successfully balances moments of serene beauty with intense action, all while deepening the mystery of Spear's resurrection and his quest for connection. The musical score by Tyler Bates and Joanne Higginbottom further enhances the emotional weight of every scene.

As the season progresses, the central question remains: when will Fang finally appear? The bond between these two characters is the heart of the series, and Spear's journey through the "Kingdom of Sorrow" feels like a necessary step toward their reunion. With the animation quality remaining at the top of its game and the narrative depth increasing, viewers can expect the remaining episodes to deliver even more shocking and emotional moments.