[FAQ] Frequently Asked Questions for Season 3 (A New Frontier)
This is a continuation of the FAQ series meant for the sub sidebar. You can check out the FAQ post made for Season 2 here.
This is a work in development and will be updated over time.
#Season 3 (A New Frontier) FAQs
”What was the cut version of Season 3 like?”
As a result of a ton of rewrites, many different ideas from Season 3 came and went. Some of the most notable cut content topics include:
- Javi being a part of the New Frontier and having the brand on his neck.
- A cut location known as the slaughterhouse which appeared in a pre-release screenshot. Max would’ve been killed here as he would get stuck in a turnstile and be devoured by a walker.
- Joan was originally Eleanor’s mother.
- Lingard originally was the true mastermind of the New Frontier, and went by the name Mason.
- A Clementine flashback which took place in her treehouse.
This is just scraping the barrel when it comes to the cut Season 3 cut content. For a more detailed and thorough analysis, please check out this video from Youtube user InColdBlood.
”Why is this season much lower quality than all of the other ones?”
After the major success of Season 1, Telltale started to go through an ever-growing toxic work environment due to a power-tripping CEO at the time. Because of this, many of Telltale's games were rushed and often went through many versions that were ultimately scrapped. Shortly before the release of episode 3, several writers for the season had left the company to join Ubisoft.
”Why wasn’t Javi’s uncle (Hector) ever brought up after the very first flashback scene?”
Although he was obviously not going to make to due to being bitten, Hector Garcia is never mentioned again after the first flashback. Not even when Javi and David reunite despite them talking about their deceased mother. With all of the rewrites that happened in between episodes 2 and 3, I honestly think they just forgot about him.
Alyssa Finlay, a staff member of Telltale, stated on the Telltale forums that his death was "the key reason that when we saw the [Garcia] family 3 months later, they were all sleeping within eyesight of each other, barricaded into a single room."
“What determines who Clem goes with at the end?”
Contrary to what some people may think/say, Clem’s decision has absolutely nothing to do with the Conrad choice in episode 2. Clem’s decision on where to go depends on the choices she made in the episode 2 and 3 flashbacks of this season. Clem will make one of four path options depending on whether you accepted Ava’s offer to join the New Frontier, gave AJ the medicine at the camp, and whether you spat on David. Check out this guide for a full explanation on Clem's decision and all of the endings.
”What happened to Joan/Clint?”
The Richmond leader that survived David’s execution is never seen or mentioned again after episode 4. Not even a single mention from David who was last seen chasing them.
Originally, the surviving Richmond leader was set to appear in episode 5. If Joan was alive, you’d get to decide her fate (let her stay, exile her, or execute her). If Clint was alive, you’d get to decide on what to do with Joan’s stolen supplies (return them to their respective communities or keep them for yourself). These scenes were scrapped most likely due to time constraints.
A few weeks after Season 3 had ended, Telltale did an AMA on the Telltale forums (which has been taken down unfortunately). During the AMA, Telltale stated that the Joan/Clint choice would have “long-term consequences.” Season 4 directly contradicts this as the Joan/Clint choice has no effect in that game at all and does not appear in the choice generator at the start of the season. So it seems that we will never be able to see Clint's spinach or Joan's shitty cake in the future ever again.
”What happened to Max and Lonnie if I spared Max in episode 3?”
If Max is spared in episode 3 then he and Lonnie are never seen or mentioned again after the episode. Ironically, Max has a bigger role in episode 4 if you choose to kill him since he appears at David’s execution among the dead bodies that Joan shows off.
During the same AMA where the Joan/Clint outcome was discussed, it was stated that Max and Lonnie were put into a holding cell shortly after Max had exposed Joan. From there they would’ve waited for the herd to leave and then would’ve been exiled from Richmond. You can read a summary of the AMA here.
That's all of the FAQs I could think of for Season 3. I'll be doing the final one for Season 4 sometime this week.
Posted Apr 20, 2021, 7:46 PM UTC