"The Primal Theory" is the fifth episode of second season the American adult animated action-drama Primal, which aired on Adult Swim on August 12, 2022. Written by Darrick Bachman and Genndy Tartakovsky and directed by the latter, in a "detour"[3] from the story of Spear and Fang, the episode pivots to follow Charles Darwin (Jacob Dudman) and C. D. Darlington (Jeremy Crutchley) as their discussion of evolution is interrupted by an escaped inmate (Fred Tatasciore).[4] Aaron LaPlante, who voices Spear in the rest of the series, cameos as a police constable.[4]
| "The Primal Theory" | |
|---|---|
| Primal episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 5 |
| Directed by | Genndy Tartakovsky |
| Written by | Darrick Bachman & Genndy Tartakovsky[1] |
| Original air date | August 12, 2022[2] |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
The first episode of the series not to feature Spear or Fang, it received critical acclaim, and was followed by "Vidarr", returning to the duo's storyline, releasing to home media on April 25, 2023.[5] In September 2022, Tartakovsky revealed that Primal would become an anthology series from its third season onward, inspired by "The Primal Theory".[6]
Plot
editIn 1890 London, England, Charles Darwin (Jacob Dudman) unsuccessfully tries to defend his theory on evolution to his fellow scientists C. D. Darlington (Jeremy Crutchley), Blakely (Giles Matthey), Bertie (Crutchley), and Giroud (Fred Tatasciore). Charles surmises that, in the right situation, any person would regress back to their primitive roots in order to survive, which Darlington dismisses as lunacy. The evening is cut short when an escaped inmate (Tatasciore) from a nearby asylum — who heavily resembles Spear in silhouette — breaks into the house, kills the butler Stevens (Dudman), and proceeds to prey on every person inside; including Giroud and Bertie. As the night progresses, the three survivors take on weapons in Darlington's collection; such as guns, swords, and arrows. In the ensuing fight, Blakely is eventually knocked out by the inmate before Charles and Darlington gain the upper hand. They pursue the inmate to the greenhouse, but he overpowers them and attempts to cannibalize Charles. In a fit of primal rage, Darlington attacks and kills the inmate with a massive bone and a spear; seemingly mimicking Spear with his own actions. Coming back to his senses, he looks at an injured and winded Charles, who is pleased with being vindicated on his "primal theory".[4]
Reception
edit"The Primal Theory" received a universally positive critical reception.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Future
editAfter the Primal second-season finale "Echoes of Eternity" aired on September 16, 2022, Genndy Tartakovsky confirmed that while Spear and Fang's story was officially concluded, he was formulating a third season for the series with a focus on new characters, intending for Primal to become an anthology series, inspired by "The Primal Theory".[6][15]
References
edit- ^ Pitman, Robert (October 18, 2024). "Samurai Jack & Primal Creator Genndy Tartakovsky On The State Of The Animation Industry [SCAD]". Screen Rant. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 8.11.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED | Showbuzz Daily". Showbuzzdaily.com.
- ^ Allison, Austin (August 23, 2022). "Genndy Tartakovsky's 'Primal' Season 2: Why "The Primal Theory" Is an Essential Detour". Collider. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ a b c Franich, Darren (September 17, 2022). "Primal creator talks shocking finale and how season 3 could transform the show". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
Darren Franiche: There was an episode this season, "The Primal Theory," which introduced an entirely new time and setting. I'm curious: As viewers, should we interpret that 1890s England adventure as a complete breakaway, or is it meant to connect to the Spear-Fang story? Genndy Tartakovsky: It's for sure connected. They're discussing the savagery inside of yourself, and we just came off the most savage episode that we've ever done, with the brutality and how far [Spear and Fang] were pushed to kill all these innocent people. It was a little bit of a reset. I loved the feeling of giving the show a little verbal context, slightly, in this horrific episode.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (February 16, 2023). "'Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal' Complete Season 2 Roars to Disc". Animation Magazine. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Franich, Darren (September 17, 2022). "'Primal' creator talks shocking finale and how season 3 could transform the show". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ Kurland, Daniel (August 12, 2022). "Review: Primal – "The Primal Theory" – Bubbleblabber". Bubbleblabber. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- ^ Cao, Caroline (August 16, 2022). "Why Primal's Victorian Era Episode Could Be More Than Just An Interlude". Slash Film. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ Matadeen, Renaldo (August 15, 2022). "Primal Just Had a Victorian Spin on the Predator". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ Kurland, Daniel (September 23, 2022). "Season Review: Primal Season Two – Bubbleblabber". Bubbleblabber. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
- ^ Black, Todd (September 19, 2022). "Primal Season 2 Review – Primal Beauty". The Outerhaven. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
- ^ Blanchard, Noah (August 23, 2022). "Primal: Pod & Cast – Episode 4 : "The Primal Theory" & "Vidarr"". The Ark of E. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Basible, Sim (August 23, 2022). "Primal Season 2 (2022) Review". Sim Basible. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Grudge, Chris (July 5, 2024). "10 Best Primal Episodes, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
- ^ Goss-Carpenter, Dillon (August 13, 2024). "Where Will Genndy Tartatovsky's Primal Go In Season 3?". Game Rant. Retrieved August 13, 2024.