Get the tissues ready, because the feel-good series that captured the hearts of audiences has come to a close. Sweet Tooth’s final season sees Gus and his found family on the final leg of their adventure – venturing north to Alaska to find his mum. With obstacles along the way and a tyrant hot on their tails, this is one hell of a finale.
One of the joys of watching this series is seeing how the narrative has grown and developed in tone over the seasons, and also how far the characters have come. The narrative has always had a predominantly wholesome vibe, focusing on the uplifting parts of Gus’ adventure, but over time the darkness in the world has become stronger. Season two was a much darker affair, and some of those serious, somewhat distressing elements make their way into this season, leading for a tense climax that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. This is certainly the ‘grandest’ act of Gus’ journey – there’s a lot more stakes, you get the feeling main characters could die, and the pace is ramped up as there’s a lot of ground to cover. Each episode packs a tonne of content as it thrusts Gus closer towards achieving his mission, seeing him interacting with new characters and applying the lessons he’s learnt on his journey. There are times where I do miss the smaller scale simplicity of the first season, where it’s just Gus uncovering the world for the first time, but thankfully those moments aren’t completely gone.
Throughout the season, Gus and the crew encounter various survivors going about their lives in different ways. These characters don’t stick around for long, but they’re valuable moments where we get to see first hand how much Gus has grown as a person. Each of these interactions are rewarding in their own way, either having an impact on Gus, on us, or showing how Gus had an impact on them. In the grand scheme of the story, these individuals don’t factor in much, but they’re an integral part of the heart of the series, showcasing why it is so beloved.
In contrast to the last two seasons, this one moves along at a blistering pace, with only one slow section in the fourth episode that’s included to showcase Gus’ maturity. The increase in pace no doubt comes from having all of our characters on the move – there’s no holding up in a zoo this time, with everyone navigating the US and Alaska with purpose. The quality of writing has also held up – it’s very well balanced and a thrill to watch, hitting all the emotional highs and lows you expect. The narrative for each character is broken down really well, ensuring it’s a fun watch no matter who it’s following. Of course there are some favourites, but every story beat is so well connected that you’re never wishing you were somewhere else. Admittedly, one gripe is that the mythology behind the fantasy elements gets a little convoluted, but since the heart of the series lies with the characters, this didn’t affect me as much.
Being the final season, it gave the writers the opportunity to really highlight the growth (or lack thereof) of our lead characters, and they didn’t let us down. Each episode features wholesome pockets where it shows how characters like Gus, Jepperd, Dr. Singh and even Bear have been shaped by their experiences. It’s not contrived either, their choices and reactions feel natural to who the characters are deep down beneath their tough exterior. We also have new villains to deal with now that Abbot met his match. Zhang (Rosalind Chao) returns in a main role to lead the hunt for Gus, and she’s appropriately evil. There’s not much depth to her character, but she’s good as the villain you just love to hate. On the side of the villains is Rosie, a new addition played by Kelly Marie Tran, who steals the show as being the most compelling enemy. Right from the get-go it’s clear she’s going to have a great arc, and with each passing episode those suspicions were confirmed. She’s a compelling, layered character with plenty of inner conflict, and it makes her so much more interesting to focus on over Zhang.
Despite losing the presence of Dania Ramirez’s Aimee, there’s still an ensemble of great performances to go around. Christian Convery shines as Gus in every scene – not only does he sell the innocence of the character, but he also showcases the elements of maturity Gus has gained on his journey. The performance is so heartwarming and loveable that it’s impossible for Gus to get on your nerves even when he makes silly kid-like decisions. He has some big scenes in this season, especially as things ramp up to the finale, and Convery hits every emotional beat out of the park. Just as important to the heart of the series is Nonso Anozie as Jepperd. His character has dealt with so many struggles and so much inner conflict over the seasons, and Anozie reflects that through a deep, layered performance. His chemistry with Convery is stronger than ever, leading to a number of truly beautiful moments.
Of the newcomers, I mentioned the addition of Kelly Marie Tran as Rose, and she plays a fantastic conflicted villain. I love that Tran is still getting roles, because I believe she’s an actor who still has a lot to give. She’s a breath of fresh air, bringing a personality to the series that hasn’t been seen prior. This season also sees the addition of Cara Gee as Siana, an inhabitant of the Alaska outpost. She doesn’t have the largest role in the season, but Gee does a great job at portraying a kind, earnest soul who is loveable and easy to get behind. This is also the point I want to highlight James Brolin for the voiceover he’s layered on top of every episode. There’s something about the calm nature of his voice that makes him an invaluable addition to the series. His guiding voice makes it feel a lot more like watching or reading a fantasy narrative, so I want to credit the great work he’s done.
Lastly, I feel like now’s the time to highlight the series’ use of practical effects for the hybrids as I don’t think I’ve ever touched on it. The decision to use practical ears, makeup and prosthetics on the hybrid kids is what kept the show grounded and believable. An over-reliance on CGI for the animal features would have been jarring, especially considering the amount of close-up screen time the hybrids get. It’s such a small element and seemingly inconsequential decision, but it’s had such a positive impact on my enjoyment.
In the end, it’s sad to say goodbye to Sweet Tooth, but I’m glad to say it’s gone out with an equally strong season and perfect ending. It’s been a story about friendship, love and so much more, and it never lost sight of that despite how myth- and fantasy-heavy the series got. With its shifts in tone and immense character development, this has been a joyfully consistent watch, with each season delivering heartwarming moments aplenty. If you haven’t given Sweet Tooth your time, it’s one of the best series’ on Netflix if you’re up for a feel-good show set in a virus-ravaged world that offers tonnes of heart. Knowing it has a brilliant ending that does the journey justice, now’s the perfect time to start.
9.3/10
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