Toho Kingdom

Man, I hope they'll follow up on that episode with Spear and Fang trying to rescue Mira from her captors because I ended up liking her a lot and want to see her join on Spear and Fang's journeys.

Spear just softly saying, "Mira"... that, that has me captivated for a Season 2. Primal's been great. Like, it sets so much up that I can't wait to see what they do. I've not enjoyed every episode, A Cold Death is probably my least favorite but its still baseline good, but damn, if this show doesn't come back It'll be criminal.

10) A Cold Death = I would like to start off by saying that I liked every single episode of the show, so alot of this comes down to splitting hairs and personal tastes. I think I put this one as the weakest because by virtue of its premise, it is just the least interesting of the 10. When I saw a trailer for Primal, this episode turned out to be what I envisioned a "Textbook" episode would be like. The snowy setting helps it to stand out a little bit among the rest, but that's about it. As is, its a good standard adventure for our lovable Man/Dino team, but there are far better outings.

9) Coven of the Damned = On one hand, I really liked this episode, but on the other, I felt like there was some unfulfilled potential. The story kind of turns on a dime by shifting focus and sympathy to one of the witches in the coven, and that stuff turned out just fine. And I guess its a decent twist to see that after such a horrifying introduction, the witches aren't all soulless monsters like we were initially led to believe. However, with such a creepy introduction and an "OH SHIT! GET OUT OF THERE!" beginning, I was hoping for something that ended with more horror and unease. Also, revisiting Spear and Fang's backstories through the witch's eyes felt like retreading. Still, its a solid episode, but I wish it had been taken in a different direction.

8) River of Snakes = The 2nd episode does a very good job of establishing more of the growth and bond between our two leads, and is a perfect follow up to the pilot. Its fun to watch them start off almost as adversaries while hunting and then slowly learn how to work together rather than against each other. Why is it so low? I just think the above episodes are cooler.

7) The Night Feeder = On paper, I should absolutely love this one as one of my top tier favorites, as I love the whole idea of an unseen predator terrorizing everything in it's path and putting Spear and Fang in serious danger. That stuff is well handled, especially with how Spear and Fang both figure out what they are dealing with and how to fend it off. That said, I REALLY wish they didn't reveal what the creature looked like. I would have loved having that air of mystery about it, and with all that build up, there was almost no way the design could ever live up to the reveal, and sadly, I don't think it did. Still, a very cool episode all around.

6) Scent of Prey = Great follow up episode 5 where Fang's fate was left in doubt. It was terrific to see the lengths Spear went to protect his friend and all the different threats that would pop up while he tried to do that. It was a tense and constantly escalating story that felt personal as well. I just wish I hadn't watched Plague of Madness first when it aired on April Fool's because knowing Fang is a-ok in that episode kind of took away from the drama in this one.

5) Slave of the Scorpion = The final episode of Season 1 closed out with an episode that, as I stated before, got me to audibly gasp a couple of times, which is a rare reaction from me. Its also fairly subdued compared to other episodes of Primal and largely focuses on a simple story of Spear and Fang integrating a new companion into their midst, and it is done very effectively by getting us to care about this new character using the same techniques and storytelling tools that make the show great in the first place. It also sets things up beautifully for a potentially exciting Season 2 (please oh please oh please!)

4) Spear and Fang = The introduction to this wonderful series begins by introducing us to our two leads and how they came to be allies, and does so with all the hallmarks that the show was sold on: 1) Prehistoric setting, 2) No dialogue 3) Unapologetic violence and 4) pure visual storytelling bliss. Primal is one of the few shows where I've watched the first episode and was completely hooked from the word go.

3) Rage of the Ape Men = The end of the first half of the series ended on a very tense cliffhanger that left me begging for more, but it also gives us the show at its absolute best when you see such pure unforgiving violence and rage. The threat posed to our heroes (who start off the episode in a very calm and innocent setting before everything goes to hell) is great, and to watch them suffer made me realize how much I've grown to care for Spear and Fang after only just five episodes. The ending to this one represents the show at its most brutal and intense and is absolutely worth a watch...if you can stomach it.

2) Plague of Madness = The Zombie Dinosaur episode! Nothing else needs to be said. It is horrific with some of the most grotesque visuals the show has provided thus far and also gives us a fantastic chase sequence as Spear and Fang try to escape the death dealing infected dinosaur. Again, if you can stomach the vile images, this episode represents the show at its very best.

1) Terror Under The Blood Moon = This was the episode that told me we were in for something truly special with this show. After the first three episodes, I thought maybe they would try to go for a "historically and scientifically" accurate prehistoric setting, was darn near impossible to achieve (as that had pretty much already been broken by this point anyway). However, when I watch this thing and I see giant red bat monsters and a giant spider, I realized that this show was going away from accuracy on purpose and rather focusing on something akin to an old pulp magazine, and once that door is opened, the fantasy and insanity is allowed to take over. And when I saw giant bat monsters show up after Spear and Fang escaped from a field of raptors? It was one of those moments where all I could say is "This show just gets me". The darker setting and unique creatures on display make this episode a PERFECT viewing for Halloween too. Also, we get a great showcase for Fang getting to be the hero to save Spear, and endeared me to that dino even more.