The short run of *Primal* demonstrates what adult animation can be, moving beyond the trends of complicated space battles with self-aware humor, crude jokes about sex, or portraying depressed characters using drugs as a punchline—a pattern that has unfortunately become common on Adult Swim. Instead, *Primal* aims to break away from this, returning to its roots and telling a story about Spear, a man, and Fang, his Tyrannosaurus Rex companion who starts as a rival but later becomes something like a friend. Their characters are established without much spoken dialogue; communication happens through grunts and instinctive cooperation as they face challenges, which is genuinely beautiful. *Primal* is an impressive display of how “show, don’t tell” can be used effectively. Genndy Tartakovsky, the creator, was previously limited by restrictions aimed at younger audiences while working on shows like *Powerpuff Girls* and *Dexter's Laboratory*, and he seemed to almost reach that potential again with *Sym-Bionic Titan*. However, being given permission to create a more mature version of *Samurai Jack* allowed Tartakovsky’s storytelling abilities to truly shine. It’s challenging to make art speak for itself, but the absence of dialogue actually strengthens this aspect of the show and intensifies the tension created by its setting. While the pattern of “focus on character, reveal a shocking problem” might occasionally feel worn out given the limited runtime, it does lead to a compelling depiction of the world’s dangers—a world that I don't think could be realized anywhere else but in *Primal*, episode after episode with consistent writing. The show primarily focuses on two characters, which can make it feel repetitive at times, especially with only occasional standalone episodes within a run of twenty. However, this limitation is balanced by the anthology-like structure and its emphasis on survival. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for fans of gore, history, or anyone seeking animated recommendations. Season 1: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (9.0/10) Season 2: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (9.0/10)

Source on TMDB