TV Series Review: Preacher – Season 3

“God’s not gonna kick his own ass.”

Preacher is an American television series developed by Sam Catlin, Evan Goldberg, and Seth Rogen for AMC starring Dominic Cooper. It is based on the comic book series Preacher created by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, and published by DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint. In October 2017, it was announced the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on June 24, 2018.

After Tulip’s (Ruth Negga) unfortunate demise at the end of the Season 2, the trio (Jesse, Cassidy and Tulip’s body) speed to Jesse’s (Dominic Cooper) old home of Angelville. Angelville is a Louisiana plantation where Jesse was raised and where old grudges and deadly obligations await them. After his good old grandma, Madam L’Angelle (Betty Buckley) helps Jesse out by returning Tulip to the land of the living, he now owes her a debt. And Madam L’angelle’s debts are always paid in full. Season 3 continues on with the search for God, Herr Starr’s new Messiah and perhaps even true love for Cassidy?

Season 3 was better than the last in some ways but not in others. It was better in terms of character, as our main trio were given new interesting roles. But, ultimately I feel they didn’t go anywhere. Although they enabled development, killing off characters is a cheap way of wiping the slate clean. In Season 1 they did something similar with Annville where it was blown up. Hopefully at the very least this all means they’ll finally be getting far, far away from New Orleans.

I found Jesse much more likeable in this season but maybe it’s because of the ending. Perhaps being more by himself helped and his pairing with Herr Starr (Pip Torrens) is always hilarious. This season focused a lot on Tulip, it seems she’s becoming more of the main character. From meeting God to interacting with the Saint of Killers, she had many moments I felt belonged to Jesse but as long as someone kicks God’s ass and gets an eyepatch, I don’t care.

Cassidy was at his best, he was extremely likeable though so I’m very sure they’re not following the comics at this point (more about that later). His relationship with Eccarius (Adam Croasdell) and his whole vampire clan was fun and entertaining. I’m not sure I can say I fully bought in to their bond but if it was that trashy I didn’t notice because I love vampires. Herr Starr again is the best character in the whole show, I love him, I adore his casting, and he’s just awesome. He always has me cracking up at every scene.

Side characters such as TC (Colin Cunningham) and Jody (Jeremy Childs) were way way too nice, I shouldn’t have liked them. TC was so sweet, his death was a tragedy, the poor innocent goat-fucking soul. Saint of Killers (Graham McTavish) wasn’t used correctly, in my opinion, he doesn’t need so many characters and added plot points to bounce off. The Saint should speak from himself, he’s menacing enough just silently stalking his prey. Finally, vampire Hoover was pretty funny but I’m glad he’s dead.

Season 3 had some of the worst CGI I’ve ever seen, it made me want to die. Every Devil and Hell scene made me cringe, the Devil doesn’t look good, stop focusing on him he looks ridiculous! I cannot stress enough that Season 4 better kill off Eugene (Ian Colletti) and Hitler. I say this not being offended because really by this point comedy Hitler’s been done to death – Hitler isn’t funny. I’m not sure how many fatties Seth Rogen smoked for those scenes to be such comedy gold in his eyes but it’s just not. Please kill both characters off as Eugene is going nowhere and your budget can’t afford his prosthetic.

Overall, Season 3 had its moments for sure and I can’t say I didn’t enjoy myself but the CGI and other elements really pushed me over the edge. Additionally, the spin on the comic storyline really gets to me as the changes they have made aren’t improvements. For one thing the storyline of Tulip growing up with Jesse didn’t make much sense in this season. I feel that Preacher should cater more to their actual fanbase instead of trying to garner a viewship of regular people because this isn’t the sort of show you can randomly tune into. Also I think after 3 seasons, the people still watching at this stage are probably diehard fans like me. I really can’t see where the next season will go but I hope for the show’s sake it gets renewed and finishes up in Season 4. I’m not sure what’s coming but it’ll definitely be one sight to behold.