Primal Season 3 Episode 3 Review: Feast of Flesh

Primal Season 3 continues its deliberate pacing in Episode 3, "Feast of Flesh," offering a compelling mix of quiet introspection and brutal action. The episode, available on Adult Swim and debuting on HBO Max on January 26, deepens the emotional journey of the zombie-like Spear as he moves closer to his ultimate goal.

This installment exemplifies the series' unique ability to balance contemplative storytelling with its signature violence. The narrative structure allows viewers to invest emotionally in Spear's plight before delivering the intense, goopy action sequences the show is known for.

The episode opens with an extended sequence that showcases the series' visual artistry. Spear encounters a beautiful turquoise and violet cricket, and the animation of the insect is nothing short of amazing. As the creature munches on a leaf, Spear watches in amazement, a moment of pure wonder in a harsh world.

This interaction triggers memories of Fang, his former dinosaur companion. The score by Tyler Bates and Joanne Higginbottom enhances the whimsical nature of the scene, highlighting Spear's playful chase through the brush. The cricket lands on his arm and eventually his head, creating a bond that the viewer shares with the character.

"Dammit, Primal made me fall in love with a bug."

Spear's fascination with the insect seems rooted in a longing for the friendship he once shared with Fang. The color scheme of the cricket partially matches Fang's, serving as a visual reminder of what Spear has lost. This sequence establishes an emotional core that anchors the episode's later violence.

The tone shifts dramatically in the episode's second half. Spear falls into an underground cave and is immediately set upon by flesh-eating monsters. These small but numerous creatures knock him unconscious and string him up upside down, leaving him in a gruesome state with the flesh eaten from his right hand and half his arm.

The cave is a macabre gallery of past victims, featuring dangling skeletons that underscore the danger. Spear is surrounded by the remnants of the monsters' previous meals, creating a claustrophobic and terrifying atmosphere. The animation of Spear's injuries is visceral, depicting his exposed brain and internal organs.

• Strung upside down in a cave
• Right hand and arm partially devoured
• Surrounded by skeletons of past victims
• Surrounded by small, aggressive mutants

The creatures, while necessary for their own survival, are depicted with a hateful intensity. Their small size belies their numbers and aggression, creating a formidable obstacle for the already weakened Spear.

Spear's salvation arrives in the form of his cricket friend. The insect buzzes around the mutants, creating a distraction that allows Spear to break free. The scene plays out with a sense of tragic inevitability, as the narrative presents two potential paths for the pair.

Ultimately, the cricket is crushed, and Spear watches in horror as his new friend dies. The animation of the insect's death throes, with its legs twitching for the final time, is described as heartbreaking. This moment of loss triggers a dissociative state in Spear, fueling a methodical and brutal revenge.

"The look on Spear’s face when he sees his dead friend, and the animation of the thing in its death throes as its little legs twitch for their final time, is heartbreaking."

Spear proceeds to puncture the skull of every mutant in the cave. The violence is depicted as gratifying yet disturbing, showing a character slipping into a primal rage. Following the carnage, Spear buries the cricket, performing a small funeral that signifies a profound emotional shift.

The events of "Feast of Flesh" mark a turning point for Spear. He is now thinking more clearly, evidenced by his decision to take his spear with him at the episode's end. He has also acquired clothing, a small but significant step toward regaining his humanity.

The funeral for the cricket demonstrates that Spear is feeling strong emotions again, a crucial development for a character who has been largely feral. The sacrifice of the bug strengthens his resolve to find Fang more than ever, providing a clear direction for his journey.

• Reclaims his spear as a weapon
• Wears clothing for the first time
• Experiences and expresses deep emotion
• Uses the sharp claws of his bony hand

While the episode ends with Spear more equipped and emotionally focused, his physical condition remains dire. He is a "freaking mess" with exposed organs and a damaged arm, raising the stakes for his survival and the need for a potential cure.

"Feast of Flesh" stands out as a standout episode of the season, masterfully blending the beauty of Genndy Tartakovsky's world with its inherent brutality. The narrative successfully uses a small, intimate story to propel the larger emotional arc forward.

Spear's journey is no longer just about survival; it is now fueled by memory and emotion. The bond formed with the cricket, however brief, has fundamentally altered his trajectory. As the season progresses, viewers can expect Spear to carry this renewed determination into his search for Fang, navigating the dangers of this strange world with a clearer purpose.