From Dusk Till Dawn Season 3 Overview: Why Should I Apologize For The Monster I've Become?

For those of you not familiar with "From Dusk Till Dawn" it is a horror series airing on the "El Rey" channel. It originally followed the plot of the 1996 movie by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez (owner of El Rey). Season 3 has 10 episodes and is also available on NetFlix.

After two years of blood sucking serpent vampires (they're called culebra in Mesoamerican mythology) I wasnt sure where else the show could go. I must say I'm pleasantly surprised. Apparently blowing up the Titty Twister bar and the pyramid underneath (at the end of season 1) released all manner of monsters that were imprisoned there (but more on them later).

The first thing you should know about "Dusk" is that no one actually ever dies. Most of the main characters are culebra so unless they get turned into a pile of ash or are dismembered, they're still in play. The only main characters NOT culebra are Seth Gecko and Ranger Freddie Gonzalez. Richie Gecko is. He was turned by Santanico (who is worshiped by other culebra as "La Diosa"). Kate's rocker brother Scott is as well as Tanner/Sex Machine (who's still chasing the ladies).

Kate Fuller who looked like a goner at the of last season is now possessed by the spirit of Queen Amaru (thanks to blood from the abandoned well seeping into her). All the other monsters appear to be afraid of Amaru. She's assisted by a demon named Brasa. He has the power to burn people with his hand.

Elsewhere the Gecko brothers are working as collectors for the Nine Lords . A Calavera (Skull Keeper) shows up. They suck off people's skulls and then control them (including seeing through the victim's eyes). The Geckos finally get hip to SK and end him. That was a close one. I especially liked how Seth kills Richie in order to determine if he was under the Keeper's influence. Too funny.

All of the Lords are killed except for Venganza. She flees to avoid the same fate. The brothers go in search of Santanico. She has turned away from the old ways and initially refuses to help. She has settled down with a non-culebra woman named Manola. That doesnt last long since Amaru sucks the life out of Manola as Santanico helplessly watches. Santanico kills the Olmeca and vows revenge. That was one ugly creature.

Freddie tracks El Caporal (a scorpion/cowboy hybrid who wears a bandanna across his face because it was bitten off. He is milking culebras and removing the poison sacks in their necks. Gonzalez and the Geckos team up again. They meet a culebra named Burt who is running a pot shop. He gives them the scoop on what's really going on. Queen Amaru is an ancient Xibalban (they are the sworn enemies of culebras and enslaved them many centuries ago). She plans to bring hell to earth by opening a portal to the underworld.

Later they need even more help so Santanico finds the various pieces of Carlos (remember his head and other appendages were purposefully separated to keep him at bay). I'm not sure this is a hot idea since Carlos can never fully be trusted. The good news is he was trapped in the labyrinth in the pyramid previously so should have some intel.

In other people news, Ranger Gonzalez eventually shacks up with Ximena (Venganza's assistant). Uh, wasnt she a lesbian last season? Not judging, just checking. A Dr Dakota Block also shows up. She is later revealed to be the daughter of Ranger Earl (remember Don Johnson?) and she wants revenge.

We meet various other monsters including: Tatujae (a guy with lots of tats on his face), Cipactli (a green tentacled monster with lots of teeth), Zolo (is one of three cool Jaguar warriors who ride motorcycles), Itzpa (a female demon-- looks can be deceiving) and some big swarm creature (cool special effects).

The body count starts to add up. The dead include: Ximena (at the hands of a possessed Gonzalez), Venganza (at her own hand) and Burt (killed by Aramu). Brasa is killed by the Geckos.

After yet another battle, Amaru finally arrives in her "real" form and I like her much better. Sorry, no offense Kate. Our heroes must close the gate to Xibalba or mankind is doomed. They of do and all is well with the world again. The Geckos go back to their original jobs as bank robbers. Remember that's how we first met them in episode 1. This time they are joined by Kate (minus Amaru). There is one final scene that is a teaser for season 4 (if there is one). Freddie's boss and another Ranger are at the mine. They retrieve Amaru's amulet. Uh oh. This cant be good.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5) Have we seen the last of "From Dusk Till Dawn"? It looks that way since all the actors were released. If they it may become a mini series released by another production company. If this is the end, we had a fitting ending. Adding new monsters and mythology in season 3 greatly expanded the "Dusk" universe.

Many of the actors we great. I especially enjoyed Eiza Gonzalez as Santanico, Wilmer Valderrama as Carlos and Zane Holtz and DJ Cotrona as the Gecko brothers. I had a hard time with Kate though. I'm sure Madison Davenport is a nice enough person IRL but she seems wrongly cast in this role. Her performance continually takes me out of the show.