Genndy Tartakovsky is undoubtedly one of the greatest creators to ever live. He created Dexter’s Laboratory, he made Samurai Jack, he made Hotel Transylvania, and then he pushed himself FAR beyond what he’s done before via Primal. A show about a Neanderthal and a dinosaur who go on adventures together. The first season was an unbelievably incredible piece of art. Yes, not a show, ART. As this Primal Season 2 Review hopefully shows you, the second verse is basically the same as the first in terms of beauty and intensity.
I’ll admit right off the bat that one of the best things about this show is that you never, EVER know where it’s going to go before it goes there. Season 2’s premiere of “Sea of Despair” started off basic with Spear and Fang trying to go after Mira. But as is always the case, the adventure is always much more than you expect. Case in point, the whole first episode was the caveman and dinosaur just trying to make a ship, get out to sea, and then surviving the sea in terms of its dangers and lack of resources.
Then, over the course of the next nine episodes, there are ancient Celtic warriors, Vikings, demons (more on them later), Egyptians, and a journey to the future of all things. I don’t want to spoil TOO much outside of the ending (you’ve been warned, again) because the show is so good at showcasing what it wants to: the beauty of nonverbal communication.
To be fair, Primal Season 2 does have more communication as we hear the languages of the ancient people we meet, as well as that “future trip” I’ll get to. But primarily, we’re back to grunts and roars, and yet, because of the expressions, looks, hand gestures, and simple touches, characters like Spear, Fang, and others give one another…it doesn’t matter.
For example, there were MANY times in season 2 when I was very much “filling in the dialogue” myself based on what was being presented, and it was a blast. Plus, it added many layers to the story and situations that were going on. In episode 2, for example, Fang (whom I honestly forgot was female) met another dinosaur after being separated from Spear. They hit it off and attacked a Celtic village…that Spear happened to be in and even rescued by. So much so that he saved them, and Fang had to choose between her best friend and her recent lover. She chose Spear, obviously, but it was clear that she and Spear weren’t on the “Same Page” for a whole episode until they found Mira. There was even a classic “sitcom moment” when Fang is eating a human, sees Spear, and drops the “meat” in shock. It was great.
Then, later on, Fang is revealed to be pregnant, and Spear is OVERJOYED at this and helps protect the babies multiple times.
It’s honestly kind of mind-boggling that all this nonverbal communication works, but it absolutely does. Plus, even when dialogue is used by various people, you don’t always NEED to understand it to get the intent of it all. The message was spoken in other ways, like when the Celt leader basically tells Spear to “let Fang go” but he doesn’t want to abandon his partner of so long.
Or when one of Fang’s babies is killed because of the Egyptians, there doesn’t NEED to be words because you’re already feeling that primal sadness due to a loss of a child. Especially one that was supposed to be a “happy moment” in their lives when it hatched. It’s all great, really. I’m not saying we need an ARMY of shows like this, but the fact that Primal can pull it off so perfectly? It’s refreshing.
Which can also be said of the visuals. The hand-drawn style of Primal is easily one of its best features and highlights. They go big with various details and colors to make you FEEL the world you are in, whether it’s the ancient world with just nature, the various villages we see, the modern day (we’ll get there…) and so on. Personally, they probably could get an Emmy just for the first episode due to the effects of the ocean, its creatures, the moon, and so on. “The Red Mist” was also one with great visuals, and I appreciated that. The sound design was also wonderful because it knew when to be there, when to just be “ambiance,” and when to be silent.
It also should be mentioned that getting more “characters” for Spear and Fang to hang out with or interact with was great. Even the ones “destined to die” had some key flair and personality to them. Such as the lead Viking woman of the tribe who kidnapped Mira and her people. She went out like a boss because that’s what Vikings do. Likewise, the Celt leader had great empathy, the Egyptian Queen was perfectly ruthless, and you were made to sympathize with the warrior slave she had. All without barely speaking a word.
One thing to note in this Primal Season 2 Review before I note my detractions, the violence in Season 2 is pretty much off the charts. You thought Season 1 was violent (it was), but this one is much, MUCH more violent. There are whole tribes of people wiped out, some just by Spear and Fang alone! We see mutilation, decapitation, severing of limbs, birds feeding on corpses, and a WHOLE LOT OF BLOOD! If you are squeamish, don’t watch this show, seriously. If you’re a fan of the John Wick movies or the Harley Quinn animated series though, you’ll probably feel right at home here.
Alright, to my detractions, there are only a few, and they are technically small in comparison to the overall wonder and bloody beauty of the season as a whole. But they do need to be mentioned.
First off, after a great cliffhanger in episode 4, we get a complete 180 in episode 5, “The Primal Theory,” where we go to 1890 London. Why is that? Because Charles Darwin is there, and he reveals a theory to very sophisticated men that if the right circumstances were upon them, they’d revert to “primal instincts.” Naturally, they have to face a threat where acting like Spear is the only way to survive. The episode in and of itself is actually fine and even teases a key event in a later episode. The problem if you will, is the “punchline.”
Because at the beginning of the said episode, Darwin cannot convince the other men that his theory is right. Then, after everything happens, including the death of four people, some right in front of Darwin, he can’t help but basically shout out “TOLD YOU SO!!!!” in the most obnoxious manner. Then the episode ends. That’s it. No more. While I know, it’s bad form to tell “how it should’ve happened,” given the context of the episode and all that happened within, a more somber “admission” of Darwin being right would’ve felt at home here. Just my opinion.
The second problem is that of pain. Specifically, pain endurance. Spear and Fang have endured some SERIOUS DAMAGE over the course of the two seasons, with both of them almost dying multiple times. But in a three-part episode, they literally wipe out whole sects of civilization basically on their own, get impaled and stabbed, and such, and they show no damage at all at times. Or, they heal REALLY fast. Yes, you could argue that adrenaline and survival instinct pushes them beyond their limits at times, but other times its kind of ridiculous how they are basically “bullet sponges” for the bad guys so that they can make it to the next episode.
On that note, the three-part Egyptian episode honestly felt like it dragged on. Especially for a series that is known for “each episode being its own story,” this one was deep but dragged on, and it had some plot issues that really didn’t make sense overall.
Then, finally, there was the finale. Which ironically could be the series finale as it hasn’t been confirmed that Season 3 will happen. Basically, a Viking that Spear and Fang defeated before made a deal with the devil (complete with horns) to get new powers to defeat Spear. Sure enough, the monster shows up, Spear and Fang are overwhelmed, and Spear has to sacrifice himself to “defeat” the monster…except…he doesn’t. This is where the weirdness comes in. Because No.1, the Viking gets dragged back to the underworld BEFORE he can confirm that Spear is dead, and it’s unclear why he was dragged back in such a manner (or why he was taken down in the first place, given the Valkyries were ready to take him to Valhalla).
After that, Spear was “Beyond Saving,” and Mira decides to…uh…sleep with his burnt husk, if you get my drift. That was REALLY odd, and given that he was burnt all over his body…not sure it would work…if you get my drift. Fast forward to the next scene, and Mira had a daughter that looks like Spear, who is riding with the children of Fang at the end of the show. It was a bit rushed, for sure.
Especially since, given ALL the epic battles of Season 2 AND Season 1…this one was literally just a scene or two in the overall. Including Spear and Fang RUNNING from the fire monster. They had a harder time “beating” the mammoths in season 1, and they didn’t beat those things either! Given that this was the “end” of Spear, I honestly would’ve wanted more from his death than a “fiery lunge” to his death. Especially since all the paintings seemed to indicate that there was more going on internally for Spear than was realized.
Even with those issues, this Primal Season 2 Review will end positively because this is a GREAT show. If you have HBO Max or want to watch it on Adult Swim, both seasons are there, and you won’t regret it.
Primal Season 2 Review
Summary
Primal Season 2 delivered a brutal yet beautiful rendering to the ancient world that Genndy Tartakovsky created once again. While one episode and one big twist ending will throw some people off, the season as a whole is a near masterpiece.