Penny Dreadful

:

Season 3
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 168 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 138 out of 168
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 168
  3. Negative: 22 out of 168
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User Reviews

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  1. Odin-
    Jun 8, 2016
    1
    Abandon all hope thinking this even comes close to season one.

    There is so much wrong with Penny Dreadful Season 3 it’s difficult to know where to start. The plot is essentially directionless, the characters, once a group are now divided, moping about with no purpose. This runs contrary to such a strong narrative present in season one, however once Mina was out of the picture, there was    Abandon all hope thinking this even comes close to season one.

    There is so much wrong with Penny Dreadful Season 3 it’s difficult to know where to start. The plot is essentially directionless, the characters, once a group are now divided, moping about with no purpose. This runs contrary to such a strong narrative present in season one, however once Mina was out of the picture, there was no purpose to the show. Instead, the script writers filled the void with a home and away style narrative.

    The script writers of the show must have been struck with some form of storyline decision making paralysis compounded by the lure of stretching the series out and the lucrative possibilities that follow with this unethical practice. This is evidenced by the fact that despite two seasons worth of Vanessa being a slut (banging every demonic being and everything in between), getting possessed, chanting gibberish, burning her friendships and repeating these actions to ad nauseum. Seriously, there’s a whole episode of her in a padded cell doing the exact same crap she was doing back in season one. All the while, this oversaturation of Vanessa Ives has:

    • Reduced Sir Malcolm to virtually a featured extra
    • Turned Ethan Chandler into a hormonal teenager
    • Taken Dorian Gray’s libido to the next level by making him a paedophile whilst having a threesome with everyone covered in blood
    • Exited Ferdinand Lyle who as we know was a learned old man replaced with a 25 year old girl who is better than everyone else and knows absolutely everything.

    To add insult to injury, Penny Dreadful Season 3 has fallen victim to modern Feminism and Social Justice Warrior philosophy.

    Words fail to describe how much of a disappointment this season is. You are far better investing what precious time you have in other shows like Game of Thrones. This is definitely worth a miss.    … Expand
  2. DanielFenton
    Jun 7, 2016
    1
    It pains me to give this a 1 but Penny Dreadful season 3 has been maligned and warped into a social justice warrior political statement. A once powerful narrative has fallen pray pointless scenes populated with characters of no substance and depth. What a tragedy.
  3. Maxime
    May 1, 2016
    10
    The title says it all, this is a penny dreadful. What does that mean? Well, for one it is sensational, a bit cheesy and over-the-top, but that is part of its DNA. It does not hide it, nor it is ashamed of it, but embraces it fully. By having this in mind you can enjoy the show fully.

    The third season adds Dr. Jekyll to the fold and expands the world of Victorian London to America, where    The title says it all, this is a penny dreadful. What does that mean? Well, for one it is sensational, a bit cheesy and over-the-top, but that is part of its DNA. It does not hide it, nor it is ashamed of it, but embraces it fully. By having this in mind you can enjoy the show fully.

    The third season adds Dr. Jekyll to the fold and expands the world of Victorian London to America, where our dashing were-wolf is set to face his terrifying father. Vanessa is sublimely depressed, as well as doctor Frankenstein who has resorted to heroin after the conniving Lily betrayed him. While we are at it, Lilly reigns supreme with Dorian Gray as her immortal mate bound to wreak havoc. Finally, the Creature and Sir Malcolm are at the end of the world, the first in the Arctic and the second in Africa, both of them in search of memories long gone...

    The production remains as aesthetically sublime as ever. The dialogues are woven with divine lyricism and the stories remain dreadfully compelling as ever. The new villain in particular is set to be the most terrifying one yet!

    Enjoy, the fright-fest, my dear dreadfuls!    … Expand
  4. Kojomon
    Jun 3, 2018
    0
    Absolutely insultingly terrible ending. They even had the audacity to pretend like they planned for the show to end at three seasons. What a waste of my time. AVOID.
  5. Canisrah
    Jun 8, 2016
    1
    It's a tragic thing - watch this show's steady decline into pointless fluff. Season 1 was fantastic - great writing, engaging characters, magnificent setting and a premise with almost limitless potential. Season 2 did not measure up to season 1 but it was eminently watchable, even if it did begin to show signs of incoherence creeping in.

    Well. Season 3 has been a train wreck from the    It's a tragic thing - watch this show's steady decline into pointless fluff. Season 1 was fantastic - great writing, engaging characters, magnificent setting and a premise with almost limitless potential. Season 2 did not measure up to season 1 but it was eminently watchable, even if it did begin to show signs of incoherence creeping in.

    Well. Season 3 has been a train wreck from the get go. The quality of the writing, the dialogue, the plot - has simply nose dived. Its almost as if they got rid of the writing talent who breathed life into brilliant characters in season 1 and replaced them with a team of narcissistic, self indulgent women's studies graduates.

    The show has become a farce - a directionless, boring caricature of the engaged adventure it started out as. Now we have increasing levels of hip and edgy scenes with fluffy dialogue supported by pointless and contradictory plot points. The timeless themes and anchoring touch points with historical realism are gone - replaced with feminist Mary Sue characters and man-hating subtext.

    All class and subtlety has been thrown out, replaced with ham fisted bluntness and cringe worthy character arcs that suggest they were produced by hormonal teenagers filled with sooky angst.

    Viewers know when they stop being entertained and start being preached at. In Season 3 - Penny Dreadful made an unmistakable transition from rip roaring adventure to merely a vehicle for superficial social justice propaganda and feminist dogma. No thanks.

    Penny Dreadful - it was good while it lasted; but I'm one to unplug the life support when the patient is brain dead. A sad demise.    … Expand
  6. Charlie-101
    Jun 8, 2016
    0
    Can't believe how low this show has sunk. Season 1 was awesome, season 3 is utter rubbish, don't waste your time. The feminism and social justice warrior bile has ruined it.
  7. eevilalice
    Jun 25, 2016
    9
    Another glorious season (unfortunately its last) of blood, redemption, and amazing characters. Nothing currently airing is as darkly gorgeous as this show. This season splits the found family apart--Ethan's off to the American West to face some kind of justice; Sir Malcolm follows; Lily and Dorian begin a crusade with an army of vengeful prostitutes; Victor meets an old friend and comes upAnother glorious season (unfortunately its last) of blood, redemption, and amazing characters. Nothing currently airing is as darkly gorgeous as this show. This season splits the found family apart--Ethan's off to the American West to face some kind of justice; Sir Malcolm follows; Lily and Dorian begin a crusade with an army of vengeful prostitutes; Victor meets an old friend and comes up with a new plan to tame Lily; and Vanessa has fallen apart, alone in that big, Victorian house. There are new characters, returning enemies, and a stunning, unequivocal ending that, though not happy, is fitting and hopeful.… Expand
  8. Wuehltisch
    Jun 12, 2016
    9
    On a mere level of acting prowess, the 3rd season is by far the most well-acted and written so far. Just the intimate theatre episode is guaranteed to be honoured with an Emmy.
  9. Skitte
    May 2, 2016
    10
    This show has grown so much over the last few years. Everything got bigger and better. Season 3 starts slowly, but promising. New characters, new enemies, a growing personal drama. It is not scared to be gross, sick, but this add more to the title, to the dreadfulness. We've seen how depression installs over some of them. The dialogue and direction of each scene is better than ever, itThis show has grown so much over the last few years. Everything got bigger and better. Season 3 starts slowly, but promising. New characters, new enemies, a growing personal drama. It is not scared to be gross, sick, but this add more to the title, to the dreadfulness. We've seen how depression installs over some of them. The dialogue and direction of each scene is better than ever, it makes you think, deeply. All in all, a great, fresh, sick and gorgeous start. I cannot wait for the rest of the show to be released. But, I think, after that intense hour, I am still having some questions over it: what happened with Dorian? Where's the daughter of the evil puppeteer, where's Lily ? We have seen everything, but not Dorian. I am really excited for his part, I am sure it will be something grand and amazing. Great show, great season start. I hope it attracts more people than it actually did over the last 2 seasons.… Expand
  10. slyious
    May 10, 2016
    10
    I've discovered this show rather belatedly. Shame on me ! so I'm playing a certain amount of catch-up. Today it's done and I can now enjoy the third season. It is a great show with very good actors/characters and a clever storyline. Congratulations !
  11. hb1209
    Jun 5, 2016
    10
    FANTASTIC SEASON!!
    one of the best shows on television returns with a season that feels flush with heightened ambition, visual artistry, dramatic energy, and - of course - fresh blood. we need more season of this show, its absolutely amazing and really the best horror show by far on tv. very good work, by writers, directors, actors and so on. keep up the good work.
  12. TheQuietGamer
    Feb 1, 2017
    9
    The horror-drama series expands it scope and ups the pace. Things are more action packed and the bitter-sweet moments of emotional torment the characters go through are still in place. Yet the biggest success of the season is in it's travels to the U.S. Now the story is part horror-western. This adds new visual flair and an exciting new tone to half of the season.

    There are plenty of    The horror-drama series expands it scope and ups the pace. Things are more action packed and the bitter-sweet moments of emotional torment the characters go through are still in place. Yet the biggest success of the season is in it's travels to the U.S. Now the story is part horror-western. This adds new visual flair and an exciting new tone to half of the season.

    There are plenty of great moments for the cast. A renewed focus on Ethan's destiny breathes new life into things (even if he has some unnatural dialog here and there). Vanessa's new romance with the excellently cast Christian Camargo is a treat as they have such excellent chemistry. Knowing that the forces that hunt her are growing ever closer adds another layer of tension to the experience. Other returning faces have their subplots wrapped up in satisfying ways. The new blood filling out the rest of the cast this season is perfect. Several of whom are playing familiar faces from old horror lore. They add more depth and emotion to the experience.

    While without a doubt the best season of Penny Dreadful, it's got one pretty big issue; it doesn't end things as well as it should. One thing you can kind of notice throughout is that there's some rushing going on to conclude Vanessa's tale. Nine episodes isn't quite enough to get it done. The finale itself is where this is noticeable. While we get treated to some stunning action, the actual conclusion to the story is flawed. For starters the series as a whole has been hinting at a final showdown between Ethan and the big baddie after Vanessa. This season flat out tells us that's how things are going to end. Then it doesn't happen. It's not bad to play with viewers expectations, but what you do instead better be good. Here it just defies logic for the villain to acknowledge the significance of Ethan as his enemy, only to seemingly forget about him a few seconds later and allow him to undo all of his work. Speaking of this season's villain, what ended up happening to him? Why did he let everyone go after his plans were foiled? It would have been easy to kill them.

    The flaws with season finale mean that season 3 does a better job of keeping you involved in the minute to minute action as opposed to offering an entirely thought out conclusion. It's evident they were rushed into that ending. Still, things are reasonably satisfying in that department if you don't look too closely. Plus they don't hinder how excellent the rest of this season is, much less the series as a whole. Especially since it managed to avoid the previous two season's filler episodes.    … Expand
  13. marco34la
    Jul 2, 2016
    1
    Seasons one and two were absolutely wonderful! Loved loved loved. Season 3 is beyond bad. Such a huge disappointment. If you haven't seen S3 yet... do yourself a favor and DON'T. Let Penny remain a good memory for you. S3 - RIP
  14. bkristman
    Apr 16, 2017
    2
    They let this show fall apart and obviously had no plan after the first 2 seasons. Then they just ended it.
    Terrible way to treat a show that had so much going for it.
  15. AthanasiosT
    Jun 22, 2020
    0
    Season 3 lost everything that made S01 and S02 exceptional. The dark horror atmosphere. the superb acting, the captivating story. All missing. S03 is just an LA, anti-racist, love story, with some supernatural touches. Not enough for me.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best TV Season of 2016
83
#83 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    May 9, 2016
    90
    Elegant and erotic in its savage yet sordid beauty, the third season of John Logan's stylishly literate monster mashup never loses focus despite being, quite literally, all over the map. [9-22 May 2016, p.18]
  2. We Got This Covered
    Reviewed by: Isaac Feldberg
    May 4, 2016
    90
    The best horror show on television returns with a season that feels flush with heightened ambition, visual artistry, dramatic energy, and - of course - fresh blood.
    Read full review
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Alex McCown
    May 2, 2016
    75
    When it gets to the meat of the dark source material that gives the show its name, the action is kinetic and satisfying in a manner previous seasons occasionally struggled to provide.
    Read full review
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