ZNation Season 3 Episodes 1-2 Reviews: No Mercy (Season Premiere)

"Z Nation" returns with a vengance during it's two hour season premiere. When we last saw Team Bite Mark, 10K was missing. Warren, Addy and Doc watch from the shore as Murphy and Dr Merch speed away in a boat. Citizen Z's base is Antarctica was under attack. If you need a recap, see my previous reviews here: Z Nation Season 1-2

We dont get any answers as to what happened after that during "No Mercy" and "No Fraken Mercy". Instead everyone is back together and still on their trek to California. ZomBaby Lucy is in tow (she's sleeping in an igloo cooler) and Cassandra is somehow mysteriously alive. She is tasked with babysitting Lucy. Bad idea perhaps? Also how is she possibly breast feeding the child? This is wrong is sooo many ways.

The big meanie in these episodes is "The Man". He's a no nonsense kinda guy and a snappy dresser (minus the flip flops). He's been tasked with collecting Dr Teller. We also meet a wild child who was raised by crows (how does that work?) and his adopted sister Red. They start calling the boy 5K since 10K takes him under his wing. The little dude is pretty handy with a slingshot.

The community at Mercy Labs tries to defend Dr Teller. He and his wife Sarah were working on a virus antidote (well, it's really a fungus) but she got infected. She's now a green glowy zombie. Teller kisses her before she's mercied. Dude, bad move! Now you're probably going to turn into a zombie too. Why are scientists on this show so stupid? Wearing a hazmat suit isnt effective is you're sharing spit with the undead.

Our crew helps everyone prepare for a big showdown. The town is painted red and everyone puts on red jumpsuits. Why? I have no idea.

The Man is not to be outdone. He releases what he refers to as "The Kraken" on the group. It's six zombies with steel plates over their heads so they can't be killed. They are all chained together and driving forward via a bullwhip. Cool visual.

Release The Kraken. Opps, nevermind. Wrong Kraken.

In the end, Dr Teller is captured by The Man and taken to some rich people's house for reasons unknown. Crow Boy is dead. Red runs screaming into a horde of zombies so she'll die too. Cassandra sits on 10K so he cant join her in the suicide mission. Poor 10K is always unlucky with the ladies.

Oh yeah, and did I mention this whole story is a "flashback"? Cause it is. That's why Cassandra is still alive and Lucy is still an infant. Remember we saw Lucy at the end of last season having a tea party with some walkers (so she's definitely not a baby anymore). Vasquez, eScorpion and Citizen Z are also missing in this episode.

Favorite Quotes:

"I dont need a badge. It's the apocalypse."- The Man.
"Never get off the boat."- Murphy (words to live by).
"Then shit gonna get crazy."- Roberta.
"Release the Kraken."- the Man.
Murphy: "Scram kid." 5K: "Caw!" Murphy: "Did he just caw at me?"
"Is this the part where I drop my pants and show you the tattoo on my ass?"- Murphy being his always adorable self.
Doc: "That's so Z-Whack (after seeing Cassandra breastfeeding Lucy). Murphy: "Hello, somebody was hungry. Addie: "How is that even physically possible? Murphy: "It's the apocalypse baby. Roll with it."

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5 Monsters). It's great see to "Z Nation" back. I do love these characters, the crazy story and the witty banter. "Z Nation" is MUCH more entertaining than "Fear The Walking Dead" or "The Strain". Do they have a giant zombie cheese wheel? I think not.

The show would have been better served though if they had stuck with two one hour episodes. I like zombie battles as much as the next person (probably more) but it seemed to drag on after a while.

Also since the premiere is a flashback, the stakes are much lower. Obviously none of our faves gets killed because we see them later. "No Mercy" also continue "Z Nation's" tradition of meeting new people and killing them by the end of the episode. I thought they might hang around a while. Team Bite Mark could use some new additions to the group.

The new title credits were way cool. The "Grindhouse" style graphics definitely set the tone. I'm looking forward to lots of zombie whacking action this season.