So far so good.
I'm satisfied with season three so far. Javier is a compelling lead, and all the characters seem more fleshed-out than the cabin crew from season two.
I was NOT a fan of season two. It had an incredibly promising start (I still wince when I think about that stitches scene)... but it killed off its antagonists far too early, spent the best of its ammunition by the end of the third episode. That led to a very strange and disjointed conclusion. Like almost everyone else, I thought the final choice was stupid and hamfisted.
Playing the first two episodes of season three gives me hope Telltale has learned from their mistakes and won't be repeating them. The plot, so far, seems sound and well-oiled. Terrific plot twist leading into the third episode. Taking the spotlight off Clem but still keeping her around as a character was a smart move. It brings a smile to my face to see what a little firecracker she's become. Such pride.
Critique: Please, please, let this be the season where being determinant stops being a death sentence. No more of that Alvin/Nick crap where they fade into the background, stop talking or participating in the plot, and die two episodes later. Season one episode five was a masterpiece because it felt like your choices up to that point had CONSEQUENCES: did you treat Kenny well enough for him to come with you, did you do enough to convince Omid and Christa, did you save Ben, everything MATTERED, and as a result I think there were like 20 different ways the amputation scene could play out depending on who was there and what their attitude toward you was? THAT'S the kind of ambition I'd like to see reflected throughout the rest of this series. No more cutting bait on certain characters because the player might have killed them.
I look forward to seeing where this season goes. Topping season one is a tall order, but I'm excited to see where the story goes.