Review: Primal “The Dead Cast No Shadow”

Overview:

Adult Swim has dropped the latest episode of Primal, “The Dead Cast No Shadow,” which starts off after a major cliffhanger.

Our Take:

Last week, viewers were given a bit of a break from Spear, as focus was now given to Mira and Fang as they protect their village. However, at the last second, Speak returns, and his former allies gaze upon the mutilated, undead horror he has become.

In a touching scene, Fang is apprehensive, but Mira doesn’t seem to be scared off by the living corpse. She repeats her name to him, which leads to a bit of comedy as Spear starts screaming and acting like a dog, yet clearly trying to communicate. Unfortunately, Spear doesn’t seem to be too trusting. Neither are Mira’s tribesmen, who try to perform a ritual.

Due to the limited dialogue, it’s somewhat unclear if Mira even recognizes Spear, or just thinks she found someone who needs her help. Fortunately, things become clear when she allows Speak to touch her belly and the new life inside. She even draws him a picture to explain things. Unfortunately, he upsets her when he screams. He then briefly reassures her by drawing something in the sand, but when he just seems to be drawing lines, she fears that Spear is gone for good.

Tensions continue to rise between Spear and Fang until even a simple pig hunt ends with the two fighting each other. However, the two will have to put their feelings aside when Mira and her companions are ambushed by howling baboons. Adding to the horror, while they make quick work of the other tribesmen, Mira is spared because they have a special plan for her. After dragging her into a pit of bones, it seems the primates plan to feed her to their bloodthirsty babies. Fortunately, Spear is on her side, and, unfortunately for the baboons, it’s not easy to kill what’s already dead.

After seeing Spear get more and more decayed throughout the episodes, Mira at least manages to patch up his arms. Unfortunately, not much has changed to improve their communication issues. However, they’ve still seemed to have reached some sort of understanding with each other. It also seems that things are finally calming down between him and Fang.

Ultimately, this story feels like some sort of breather episode, mostly focusing on Mira and Spear’s reunion. Fang’s children. As the viewer already knows that Spear is a bit more aware than he lets on, it can be frustrating to see him struggle to communicate, especially as it becomes clear all that he’s lost since his death. However, this just makes you want the resolution to come out all the sooner.

Mira doesn’t say much in this story, but knowing what it really means, even her repeating her name can speak volumes. All in all, Mira’s slight smile in the end, and her unspoken faith in Spear, really make the story.