Episode 3 of Sweet Tooth season 3 opens with a stark reminder: 135 days have passed since the government's collapse. Within a lonely caravan, Rosie Zhang resides, a woman who once dreamed of a life as an artist, unencumbered by the responsibilities of motherhood. But life had other plans, and she sacrificed her ambitions to embrace the role of a mother.
As she speaks to her children, Rosie spins a tale of the Three Little Pigs, inverting the traditional narrative. In her version, the wolf is the misunderstood creature, while the pigs are revealed as the true villains. Suddenly, Mrs. Zhang appears, revealing that Rosie has been ostracized from their community. The reason? Her unconventional choice to bear hybrid children - wolf pups, to be precise. This revelation sheds light on her rewritten fairytale, as her children's mixed heritage mirrors the wolf's misunderstood nature.
The pups are summarily removed, caged, and hauled back to the colony, their mouths muzzled. This heartbreaking scene cuts back to the cliffhanger of episode 2, as Rosie's decision to confront Zhang brings us to a pivotal moment.
Staring at Ven's family photos, Rosie is reminded of what she lacks. After eliminating Ven and leaving Theo and his mother alive, she allows the wolves to finish them off, her gaze fixed on Nag's Reef as her next destination.
Meanwhile, Gus and his companions remain unaware of these events, their discussions centered on Zhang's empire. As the last Warlord, she covets Gus, the first Hybrid and the key to the Cure. But how does this all tie in with the mysterious cave? Singh believes that whatever Thacker discovered there is the source of the Sick and the subsequent Crumble that has decimated their world.
Back at the compound, Zhang acquires a contraption - a Stem Cell extractor. Her intention is clear: to use it on Gus and terminate him. The tension mounts as the ship prepares to set sail, and the gang scrambles to reach it before it's too late - and before Mrs. Zhang captures them.
They finally reach the coast, but their hopes are dashed. The boat is gone, having departed an hour ago. However, they stumble upon a sole survivor named Coral, who informs them that the ship is overcrowded and there's no chance of them finding a spot, even if they attempt to swim. Gus manages to persuade her to assist them, and they discover a small boat, neglected and turned into a flower bed. It's a mess, but they have no choice but to act quickly.
With time running out, they set to work, patching holes, painting the boat, and struggling to get the engine to fire. Their efforts are frantic yet determined, as they strive to escape the clutches of Zhang and her empire, seeking a new hope on the horizon of Nag's Reef.
Elsewhere, Siana valiantly attempted to organize a search party, determined to locate Birdie. The clock ticked down relentlessly, with only three days remaining before the sun set on the brink of Spring. She was acutely aware that Birdie's time was fleeting, and she desperately sought to persuade the other scientists to lend a helping hand. However, few heeded her call, believing it to be a suicidal endeavor.
As she embarked on her mission, Becky cunningly persuaded Jepp to eliminate Singh, ensuring he wouldn't board the vessel. Acknowledging Jepp's superior strength, she agreed to shepherd the children away while he "dealt with" the scientist.
Yet, Singh was not one to be trifled with. He confronted Jepp, boldly declaring his unwavering intention to board the boat. He claimed to have had visions with Gus in the cave, believing it to be his fated "destiny". Jepp, however, was no longer the same man, and he found himself unable to harm Singh.
Down on the coastline, Becky and Wendy tearfully bid farewell to Coral. Suddenly, the radio crackled, and it became evident that Rosie was approaching. She emerged on the shoreline, and shots rang out, targeting the group. Jepp was hit in the leg, and to their horror, Wendy and Becky were left stranded.
Rosie retreated once again, but this time, she refused to engage with Zhang. Instead, she ordered Tex to depart and return home, while she and her pack decided to linger in the area. Something was undoubtedly triggering her memory, and one could only speculate that Coral's brother might actually be Rosie's accomplice in all this.
As the episode drew to a close, Wendy and Becky clung to each other, resolved to embark on a perilous journey to find their loved ones. However, the pack closed in on them relentlessly. Becky bravely faced one of the pups, stabbing it in the side. She urged Wendy to flee, and as she did, Rosie caught up. She knocked Becky unconscious and attempted to rescue her son. Meanwhile, Gus, Jepp, and Singh managed to reach their ship, clinging to a thread of hope in this increasingly dire situation.
