Sweet Tooth: A Review of the Third Season of the Netflix Series
July 11, 2024
The third season of the series is finally here but the history based on the DC comic may have concluded. The announcement of the premiere of the long-awaited third season was accompanied by an advertising poster that declares the definitive end of the "Sweet Tooth" and "Big Man" storyline. However, the ending provided by Netflix for the widely popular series has failed to meet the expectations of its thousands of fans worldwide.
The story continues the journey of Gus and his friends as they search for answers about the origin of the event that led the world towards new horizons. These new horizons include new ways of life, a new social order, and new powerful figures who gain increased legitimacy due to the recurring crises in this transformed world. In this post-pandemic world, the group of friends must embark on a limitless adventure once again, challenging the viewer's imagination.
With the incredible voice-over narration by James Brolin, the series delves into the story of Gus and the 'Big Man' in a season brimming with emotions and intrigue.
The group of friends is now heading to Alaska for a long-awaited reunion between Gus and his mother (Birdie). They are also going there to find answers about the origin of a virus that has brought humanity to the brink of extinction.
This is a season in which the producers have tried to mix the dark elements of the original story wiIn Alaska, they will not only discover the deepest secrets of the virus and the hybrids, but also find details of the research of Dr. James Thacker. In the late 19th century, Dr. Thacker made an expedition to Alaska to conduct research related to genetics, and his discoveries paved the way for the genetic advances achieved at the Fort Smith laboratory. However, before all this is revealed, Gus and his friends must go through a journey filled with action and intrigue. Along the way, they will encounter new friends and enemies, putting the group's cohesion at stake.
After the downfall of "The Last Men", the Zhang family seizes control of almost the entire country. The family becomes a central focus, adding doses of villainy and cruelty to the story's final part. Throughout the chapters, we will discover the family's objectives and get to know its members in more depth, especially Rosie Zhang, the eldest daughter of the family.
The story will also lead us to wonder about Dr. Singh's true intentions. This ambiguous character will join the friends' trip to Alaska.Throughout the trip, he will guide the group's destiny by making important decisions.
In the final season, we will see a devastated Dr. Singh by various losses - including his progress on finding a cure for The Sick, his wife's decision to no longer be involved in his experiments, and the loss of funding for their research. Dr. Singh will be desperate to find meaning in everything he has been through and seeks redemption for the harm caused by his experiments. Ultimately, it will be Dr. Singh's will and extreme determination to reach Alaska that will lead Gus to his final destination.
In the season finale, the relationship between Gus and "Big Man" Jepperd will face crucial moments. The two friends will be forced to make tough decisions, influenced by Dr. Singh but guided by their own consciences for the greater good.
In Alaska, they will realize that the fate of the world rests on Gus's shoulders, as only he can stop the virus (called The Sick). Joining forces with a small community of scientists, they will find hope amid the chaos. However, when Gus reunites with his mother, she may not have all the answers they seek.
Now, at the end of the story about these two friends who had to face new conditions in a desolate world, there are several unresolved plotlines. The events that unfold throughout this season lead to a somewhat abrupt ending, leaving many story threads hanging without resolution.
Through the use of a "flash forward" narrative technique, the story concludes by showing us a scene from Gus and his hybrid friends' future. It's a compelling flashforward, as it reveals events that can only take place in the distant future, although it feels a bit forced.
“By the time you get to season three, it’s an interesting relationship you have with the audience because they know that you’re not going to kill Gus. So there’s a jeopardy that you sort of missed out on. One of the things that really clicked in season three was his life (Gus one) was not at stake, but his innocence was. And that’s something that we write to from a storytelling point of view. Even as you watch those kids grow up in real life, you sort of hope that they’re going to maintain that innocence and pureness. So that was something that we really made season three about. His (Gus) superpower is really hope and finding the best in humanity”.
-Creator Jim Mickle on season three.
Netflix's Sweet Tooth offers a season that appears to have been created to provide closure to the story, which originally promised much more. One of the main reasons for this is the rapid growth of the children's cast in the series. It's quite challenging to develop and continue a story involving such a young cast. It's currently uncertain whether this marks the definitive end of the Sweet Tooth universe. In a recent interview, series creator Jim Mickle expressed uncertainty about whether this should be the conclusion of the story. However, it seems likely that Gus and the “Big Man” have reached the conclusion of their story. The future expansion of the Sweet Tooth universe, as well as the possibility of new amazing stories, will depend (as usual) on the success of this season and the industry's interest in continuing the series.
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