The time has come for FX’s The Strain to come to its bloody end. This vampire series based on Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan‘s exciting trilogy was always meant to last 3-5 seasons. Sad for the fans who just want more story, but good for the story to end on a quality note. Showrunner Carlton Cuse is used to breaking my heart. He just ended one of my favorite series’ of all time, Bates Motel, with an incredible finale. I was also completely invested in The Returned, and I am a Lostie for life. At least I still have Colony. The Strain is one more notch in my TV heartbreak belt. The story of Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll) and his band of warriors valiantly (and sometimes drunkenly) trying to fight an aggressive vampire virus and equally aggressive vampires, has been my summer go-to for that last 3 years. This “First Look” gives us the cast’s take on what is shaping up to be an explosive final season.
The Strain is also having a lot of fun on Twitter with fake Master propaganda posters. They would be funny if they weren’t so scary, both for the show and our current political climate.
The Strain Season 3 Episode 9: “Do or Die”
Directed by Ken Girotti
Written by Chuck Hogan
Created by Chuck Hogan, Guillermo del Toro
Starring Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Kevin Durand, Richard Sammel, Jonathan Hyde, Miguel Gomez, Natalie Brown, Ruta Gedmintas, Max Charles, JoaquÃn Cosio, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis FX
Air Date: Sunday October 23rd, 2016, 10pm
Last week on The Strain, we get Gus’s (Miguel Gomez) backstory on why he wants to save his strigoi mother (other than boys and their moms). His uncles took out his father after he abused their sister once too often. He became the man of the house early. In the present day, he ended up having to put her down after she almost got Angel (JoaquÃn Cosio). Setrakian and Fet (David Bradley and Kevin Durand) interrogated a few key people, thanks to Palmer (Jonathan Hyde), but they missed out on getting Eichorst (Richard Sammel), who had just given us a nasty little demonstration of the blood factory. Eph (Corey Stoll) and Dutch (Ruta Gedmintas) recovered the original JFK black box, but the Master’s sound waves made Dutch really sick. When she recovered, her and Eph had sex. Quinlan (Rupert Penry-Jones) told the ancients to get off their asses. As they do, Eichhorst invaded the ancients lair with lots of bloodthirsty friends, which caused them to fight, and they were pretty good for some desiccated husks. That is, until they explode.
The FX vampire series The Strain is currently in its third season (find reviews and more right here), and now we know that this current season is the penultimate one.
It has been announced that the series, which is based on the book trilogy of the same name written by Pan’s Labyrinth and Pacific Rim director Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan (13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi) with Carlton Cuse (LOST) acting as showrunner, has been given a season four order by FX. It’s also been revealed that this fourth season will be the show’s final season.
The Strain Season 3 Episode 2: “Bad White”
Directed by J. Miles Dale
Written by David Weddle & Bradley Thompson
Created by Chuck Hogan, Guillermo del Toro
Starring Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Kevin Durand, Richard Sammel, Jonathan Hyde, Miguel Gomez, Natalie Brown, Ruta Gedmintas, Jack Kesy, Max Charles, JoaquÃn Cosio, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis FX
Air Date: Sunday September 4th, 2016, 10pm
Last week’sThe Strain started off crazy as expected. Eph (Corey Stoll) is waiting for his vampire son to return, trading in what he thinks are useless asthma meds for liquor and a taser. Kelly (Natalie Brown) shows up with a deal for Eph – Zach (Max Charles) for The Lumen. Setrakian (David Bradley) studies it voraciously, only stopping to referee Fet and Quinlan (Kevin Durand and Rupert Penry-Jones). Gus (Miguel Gomez) keeps his strigoi mom as a pet. Fet tries in vain to save the Navy Seals from a gruesome fate at the hands of The Master (Jack Kesy).
The Strain Season 3 Episode 1: “New York Strong”
Directed by J. Miles Dale
Written by Carlton Cuse
Created by Chuck Hogan, Guillermo del Toro
Starring Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Kevin Durand, Richard Sammel, Jonathan Hyde, Miguel Gomez, Natalie Brown, Ruta Gedmintas, Jack Kesy, Max Charles, JoaquÃn Cosio, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis FX
Air Date: Sunday August 28th, 2016, 10pm
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press