Plague of Madness
| "Plague of Madness" | |
|---|---|
| Primal episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 7 |
| Directed by | Genndy Tartakovsky |
| Written by | David Krentz |
| Original air dates | April 1, 2020 (April Fool's)[1] October 11, 2020[2] |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
"Plague of Madness" is the seventh episode of the first season of the American animated action-drama series Primal. It premiered unannounced on Adult Swim on April 1, 2020, as part of Adult Swim's annual April Fools' Day stunt, as a joking reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, after "Rage of the Ape Men", before formerly airing in its chronological place in the series (between "Scent of Prey" and "Coven of the Damned") on October 11, 2020. It was directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, and written by David Krentz from a story by Tartakovsky, Krentz, Darrick Bachman, and Bryan Andrews. In the episode, Spear and Fang flee in terror from a zombified Argentinosaurus.
The episode received critical acclaim, winning both an Annie Award and two Emmy Awards. It was released to home media on June 1, 2021.[3]
Plot
[edit]In a tranquil valley, an herd of Argentinosaurus are living their lives when one of their number is bitten by an insane zombified Parasaurolophus which bites one Argentinosaurus before being killed by it. Shortly afterward, the Argentinosaurus becomes a zombie itself, going on a rampage and massacring its herd.
Sometime later, Spear and Fang stumble across the aftermath of the slaughter, disturbed by the many corpses and how they are untouched by scavengers or flies; a curious Fang sniffs one body before recoiling in terror, before the Argentinosaurus rises up behind the duo. Horrified, the two immediately flee through the jungle into a ravine, where the Argentinosaurus knocks itself out, and Spear and Fang rest in a cave. That night, Spear has a nightmare of the Argentinosaurus reviving and infecting him and Fang, and on awakening, decides to convince Fang to leave for night, lest his nightmare come to pass. As they make their way across the ravine, the Argentinosaurus awakens and continues its pursuit of them.
As Spear and Fang escape through a crevasse too narrow for the Argentinosaurus, they begin to make their way across a volcanic plain, doing so carefully until the Argentinosaurus tears its body apart to break free and pursue them again. On being burned by a lava geyser, the Argentinosaurus jumps towards them, breaking through the crust into the lava below, and allowing Spear and Fang to ride a wave to safer ground and resume running, as the Argentinosaurus repeatedly re-emerges and sinks, unable to climb out but still pursing them. As the Argentinosaurus is slowly incinerated to ash, Spear and Fang observe its final agonizing moments in shared grief and dismay.[4]
Reception
[edit]Critical reception
[edit]"Plague of Madness received a universally positive critical reception.[5][6][7][8][9][10]
Accolades
[edit]| Award | Year | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annie Awards | 2021 | Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production | Genndy Tartakovsky (for "Plague of Madness") | Won | [11] |
| Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | 2021 | Outstanding Animated Program | Genndy Tartakovsky, Brian A. Miller, Jennifer Pelphrey, Keith Crofford, Mike Lazzo, Oussama Bouacheria, Julien Chheng, Ulysse Malassagne, Erika Forzy, Shareena Carlson, Darrick Bachman, David Krentz, and Bryan Andrews (for "Plague of Madness") | Won | [12] |
| Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation | David Krentz (storyboard artist; for "Plague of Madness") | Won |
References
[edit]- ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.31.2020 | Showbuzz Daily". www.showbuzzdaily.com. Archived from the original on 2020-04-02.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 13, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.11.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (30 March 2021). "'Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal' Brings Prehistoric Action Home in June". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ Stewart, Brenton (October 29, 2020). "Primal's Latest Episodes Are the Best Halloween Viewing of the Season". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- ^ Eschberger, Tyler (July 19, 2022). "Genndy Tartakovsky's "Primal": Why Horror Fans Should Be Watching This Animated Series". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ Schwarz, John (April 1, 2020). "Review: Primal – "Plague of Madness" – Bubbleblabber". Bubbleblabber. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ^ Baron, Reuben (April 1, 2020). "A Surprise April Fools Primal Is Scarily Relevant". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ^ Motamayor, Rafael (October 15, 2020). "'Primal' Is the 'Mad Max: Fury Road' of Cartoons". The Observer. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- ^ Munday, Justin (November 1, 2022). "Bite-Size Horror Gem: Primal – "Plague of Madness"". Monkeys Fighting Robots. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ^ Markey, Sean (April 20, 2020). "Review: Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal – "Plague of Madness"". Geek Ireland. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (March 3, 2021). "Annie Awards Nominations: 'Soul' & 'Wolfwalkers' Lead Field For Animation Prizes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn; Chuba, Kirsten; Beresford, Trilby; Drury, Sharareh (September 12, 2021). "Creative Arts Emmys: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 11, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2023.