Primal Season 3 Premiere: Spear Returns as Zombie

The animated series Primal has returned for its third season, debuting on Adult Swim and HBO Max. Created by Genndy Tartakovsky, the premiere episode 'Vengeance of Death' presents a significant twist: the protagonist Spear is resurrected as a zombie. This follows his definitive death at the conclusion of Season 2. The episode introduces an old man who uses magic to revive Spear's body for the purpose of revenge. The narrative remains dialogue-free, relying on visual storytelling and sound design to depict the undead nature of the hero. As the episode progresses, Spear is left to wander alone after his controller dies, hinting at a journey of self-discovery for the character.

Genndy Tartakovsky has returned to the world of Primal with a premiere that challenges the emotional conclusion of the previous season. The first episode, 'Vengeance of Death,' premiered on January 11 on Adult Swim and January 12 on HBO Max. It confirms that the Neanderthal hero known as Spear, voiced by Aaron LaPlante, is back despite being killed at the end of Season 2. That previous finale was described as a culmination of Spear's story, where he sacrificed himself to save his family, including his dinosaur companion Fang and human friend Mira.

The decision to bring Spear back was driven by Tartakovsky's realization that an anthology format for the third season did not work effectively. Instead, the creator was inspired to return to the world of Spear, albeit in a drastically altered state. The premiere establishes that Spear has been resurrected in a decomposing state. He is described as lumbering, mindless, and naked, representing a version of the character that is far removed from his living self. This narrative choice is presented as a bold move, considering the perfect ending achieved in the previous season.

The episode opens in the aftermath of a village slaughter, where a single old man survives. Seeking retribution, this survivor utilizes arcane magic involving potions, an eyeball, and the blood and heart of the dead attackers. This ritual successfully resurrects Spear's body, which had been resting peacefully. The old man controls the undead Spear, directing him to destroy the enemies who attacked his village. The action sequence takes place at night, bathed in red light, as Spear confronts a group of subhumans who appear to be cannibals eating raw flesh around a campfire.

The combat highlights the terrifying efficiency of the new Spear. Unlike his living counterpart, this zombified version can sustain injuries such as spears to the chest without issue. The sequence is characterized by the show's typical visual style and sound design. A moment of dark humor occurs when a subhuman slices off a piece of Spear's skull and some brain matter. Despite this massive injury, Spear remains functional, though he is eventually immobilized when the old man dies during the battle. The surviving enemy flees in terror upon realizing Spear's lack of reaction to the missing skull cap.

Primal continues to be a visually striking series in its third season. The premiere features handsome design work and an effective soundscape that enhances the storytelling. The production team effectively sells the 'undead' nature of Spear through specific auditory and visual details. These include crunchy sound effects when his body moves, the presence of a fly buzzing on his unblinking eye, and the dead weight with which he lands when sitting down.

The episode returns to the dialogue-free format that defined the early seasons of the show, though Season 2 did feature some spoken lines. A notable visual callback appears in the form of a cave drawing at Spear's former resting place, depicting him surrounded by fire, referencing his final battle in Season 2. The atmosphere blends high-stakes action with a sense of tragedy, as the zombie Spear eventually wanders alone, looking at the carnage he has wrought before eventually walking away into the unknown.

The premiere sets up a mysterious trajectory for the remainder of the season. With the old man dead, the zombie Spear is left to his own devices, though he appears to be driven by flashes of his past. The world of Primal has always incorporated magic and supernatural elements, which leaves the door open for Spear's potential restoration to his human form. There is speculation that he may eventually be reunited with Fang and his daughter, though this remains to be seen. The episode serves as a setup for a story that appears to be both 'cool and beautiful,' according to observations of Tartakovsky's vision.

As the season progresses, viewers will likely learn more about the extent of Spear's undeath and whether he can regain his former consciousness. The series continues to explore themes of survival, loss, and the supernatural within a prehistoric setting. The return of such a beloved character in such a radically different state ensures that the narrative stakes remain high for the animation series.