Killjoys Season 3 completely transformed the show - and for the better - more so than I've seen with any other show!
It evolved from funny, lighthearted in Seasons 1-2 to an epic space opera centered around a Battlestar Galactica-esque intergalactic war of the races.
Instead of standalone, unconnected bounty hunter missions, now each episode furthers an overarching plot, in addition to **multiple parallel threads* for each of a now more balanced set of protagonists, and even the villains inspire some empathy, with their own stories being shown from their perspective in parallel.
Both protagonists and antagonists - of which there are now quite a few - are more three-dimensional, with flaws, backstories, failures and even deaths - adding a sense of tragedy to what has now evolved into a very compelling Sci-Fi Drama.
Now, instead of eye-rolling cheesy humor and cliches, now you experience increasingly tense, dramatic, unexpected and sometimes tear-invoking turns of events.
It goes from just 1 plot thread involving 3 protagonists always working together to a slew of main character and multiple antagonists affiliated with different groups with sometimes conflicting or intersecting interests.
The characters have become more compelling and three-dimensional, with each pursuing varying objectives in parallel plot threads . Backstories are developed and flaws and failures are finally shown.
Dutch takes a bit of a backseat as John - and especially D'Avin - evolve to become self-reliant, overcoming challenges alone, each with their own mission. I especially appreciate how D'Avin has gone from weak, beta, follower and supporting character - all brawn and little brain - to an alpha leader and star in his own right.
The missions are now self-determined - instead of just starting off each episode with one given to them as group at the start of the episode. As the other protagonists can no longer just rely on Dutch - who has finally started to show weaknesses - to save the day, you finally experience fear and empathy with the characters and buy-in to their plights, and they evolve from supporting characters to their own leading roles.
As has become more popular since Game of Thrones, the show is no longer afraid to go so far as to kill of main characters - becoming more realistic, with an sense of danger, and adding tragedy into the mix.
