The Walking Dead

[Reply #640 on:]

Why you so stupid, Sasha?

[Reply #641 on:]

The mid-season finale was really boring up until the last minutes when they threw a really cheap death in as a desperate attempt at keeping us interested.

I thought season 5 had a reasonably promising start, but it's not followed through on it at all.

[Reply #642 on:]

Yeah, it wasn't as good as the destruction of the prison last season but I wouldn't say it was particularly bad either. Norman Reedus gave a pretty damn impressive performance.

Although I still wish this happened.

I liked the post-credits scene at the end, with

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Morgan finding Abraham's note to Rick.

[Reply #643 on:]

It wasn't actively bad; I just didn't care.

To be honest, I thought the destruction of the prison was pretty poor, too. It seems like killing off one of the "main" characters is a sure-fire way to get a really high score on IMDb, though.

[Reply #644 on:]

The main problem was they killed her off in a really, really stupid way.
Herschel's death at least made sense for everyone involved, this one sure didn't.

[Reply #645 on:]

So... it's back.

New episode was alright, although I'd really like to know how they can constantly keep their cars fueled. Maybe it's magic, like their ammo.

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The hallucinations were pretty trippy as well. Somewhat surprised they killed someone off so soon after Beth's death.

[Reply #646 on:]

I liked the events that happened, but it shouldn't have taken up a whole episode...the hallucinations and trippy visuals seemed more like an excuse to drag things out than anything that had any great meaning beyond some obvious and frankly silly symbolism.

Can we stop looking to indie arthouse directors for inspiration for a zombie apocalypse show, guys?

[Reply #647 on:]

I liked the events that happened, but it shouldn't have taken up a whole episode...the hallucinations and trippy visuals seemed more like an excuse to drag things out than anything that had any great meaning beyond some obvious and frankly silly symbolism.

I agree, but it didn't bother me too much because it's honestly what I've come to expect from this show.

[Reply #648 on:]

*sigh* I'm with you there, I guess.

[Reply #649 on:]

I thought it was a load of pretentious crud that stretched 5 minutes of not-particularly-interesting story into a TV hour.

[Reply #650 on:]

Ya, bit of a lame episode, farting around as usual.

[Reply #651 on:]

Checked into this thread to see if the show's quality had improved since I bailed... I'd say the last few comments are a pretty good indicator that I made the right choice.

[Reply #652 on:]

At least you get to feel smug about it!

[Reply #653 on:]

The new episode was considerably better than the last I thought. It still dragged out some scenes unnecessarily, but it was one of the heavier, more depressing outings we've gotten that appropriately highlighted the most important themes of the show. Also, even if the symbolism was a bit hamfisted, I liked the way everything came together at the end with the group working together and the more pessimistic characters finding their strength. One of the more tolerable "transition" episodes between major story arcs.

The scene with the dogs was clever, showing how domesticated pets would turn back to a vicious pack mentality under the circumstances. Although if you've played the Telltale game then you've already come across that concept.

[Reply #654 on:]

I more or less agree with you. It wasn't enough to particularly win me back over to the show, but it was a step in the right direction.

That said, this show has lots of steps in the right direction whilst still managing to take far more in the wrong direction. The ending suggests they're doing some story arcs from the comics sooner than I expected, though.

[Reply #655 on:]

Huh, I'm surprised to see this has a positive response here because I thought it was the most pointless episode in the show's history. I think it could be summed up with "Maggie and Sasha are sad."

The part with the dogs was unexpected and kind of cool, but they seem to be throwing out enormous servings of peopling frowning at each other and passing it off as "character development".

EDIT: Rick dropping the title was pretty badass/cheesy. I can't decide which.

[Reply #656 on:]

Can we agree that this last episode was a pretty significant step up in quality and intrigue? Lots of great tension and cool scenes. I particularly liked the visuals of seeing them run down dozens of walkers with the car, blood splattering the windshield. And the flare to the face was a fun, campy kill.

[Reply #657 on:]

Yeah, I actually quite enjoyed it. It wasn't amazing but it's probably my favourite episode of this season, so far, and I hope it's a good sign of things to come regarding this story arc.

[Reply #658 on:]

I'd agree that this was a great episode; it was a great balance between character development, plot development, drama and action. If the rest of the season can match this one then I'll be quite happy.

[Reply #659 on:]

I must say that the overtly gay nature of the new characters really annoyed me. In the comics, those characters are gay, but it's really subtle and you wouldn't even notice it if you weren't paying attention. They're gay but it isn't their defining character trait. They're human beings outside of that.
In this episode, it's almost treated like a plot-twist and that didn't sit well with me.


On the plus side, I really liked the shot of the zombies through the car windshield, though, all in red. That was cool, like old-school zombie movies.

[Reply #660 on:]

I really, really liked this week's episode too. It's actually a little jarring how decidedly better the last couple episodes have been than the preceding batch. Crossing my fingers that they don't fuck it up and sink back into mediocrity like they always seem to.

[Reply #661 on:]

I liked it as well. The standoff between Glenn and Stupid McDumbass was my favourite part.

Also, I can't believe how much different Rick looks now. It's like he jumped back to season 1.

[Reply #662 on:]

Yes, RIP the beard. It's been since before he woke up in the hospital in episode 1 that he didn't have one.

[Reply #663 on:]

Yeah, I think it was yet another new highlight for this season. I'm starting to get excited for how this story arc is going to progress. I feel like I'm on the verge of starting to get excited about new episodes again.

For anyone who's read the comics, how do you think this is going to play out? I think they'll probably draw this story arc out over, at very least, season 6, which would bring them up to the most recent development in the comics - one I can't see them doing on TV.
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they use this story arc to wrap up the entire series. Negan will probably make a 1-second appearance at the very, very end of the last scene, this season, leading to the show's finale when they finally wrap it all up and decide to focus on this spin-off of theirs instead. The producers did state an intent to make the show last for seven seasons back when it started. Who knows, though? It's such a successful show, they might just decide to keep it going indefinitely like a zombie.

[Reply #664 on:]

I'm enjoying this story arc a lot. I really hope it continues to play out as well as it is at the moment.

[Reply #665 on:]

Fuckin' A, Carol....

[Reply #666 on:]

That was some creepy shit.

Also, where the hell is Gabriel?! He hasn't been shown at all in Alexandria yet.

And Morgan. I'm eagerly awaiting his return. There was even a street sign that said "Morgan" at the end. Stop teasing me, show!

[Reply #667 on:]

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Everybody Ate Chris

[Reply #668 on:]

Even for this show, that was a particularly brutal and exploitative death. That said, I wish they'd stop pulling that kind of stunt on characters who've only been around for maybe half a season and expecting it to have a huge emotional impact.

Obviously Gabriel will have to die next since this show isn't allowed to have any long-term black male characters.

[Reply #669 on:]

Yeah, he was sort of similar to T-Dog in that he didn't really do much to push the story. Still, it's possibly the most gory on-screen death they've done, and Glenn's reaction to it made it even worse.

This half-season has been very good so far, it might end up being TWD's best batch of episodes yet.

Predictions:

-Deanna will think Gabriel is full of shit
-Tara will survive
-Eugene will grow some balls
-Daryl and Aaron will find Morgan
-Carol will end up being the one who kills Pete
-Glenn will find somebody else to punch

[Reply #670 on:]

Yeah, he was sort of similar to T-Dog in that he didn't really do much to push the story.

Not to mention the deaths of Bob and Tyreese, who at least were around for a while and had developed some semblance of character. The actor who plays Bob (who I really like) in particular can't seem to catch a break...his major character in The Wire dies pretty early on as well.

[Reply #671 on:]

I think the idea of there being only one black guy at a time is a bit of a myth... Michonne and Sasha have both been around for ages and I don't see them trying to fight over some sort of metaphorical throne (unless this only applies to men).

Anyway, was anyone else really amused by Abraham's "Mother-dick" line? I know it's a little bit stupid but I thought the delivery was hilarious (unlike last season's "They're screwing with the wrong people!", which was horrible).

[Reply #672 on:]

I think the idea of there being only one black guy at a time is a bit of a myth... Michonne and Sasha have both been around for ages and I don't see them trying to fight over some sort of metaphorical throne (unless this only applies to men).

I was specifically talking about men (earlier I said black male characters). I honestly don't think they will ever kill Michonne simply due to her popularity from the comics alone.

[Reply #673 on:]

Glad there's finally some closure on what happened to Rick's hidden gun... that was driving me nuts.

The conversation between Glenn and Nicholas was amazing; it's great that Glenn is finally getting a chance to be awesome.

[Reply #674 on:]

Checked into this thread to see if the show's quality had improved since I bailed... I'd say the last few comments are a pretty good indicator that I made the right choice.

I think it's pretty funny that you said this literally immediately before the show became considerably better than it's been since the first season. If you're caught up through the first half of season 5 already, I legitimately recommend continuing on through the second half...you just have to get through the first shitty episode.

[Reply #675 on:]

I wouldn't go so far as to call it "considerably better than it's been since the first season". Considerably better than it's been since the back-end of season 4, maybe. It's certainly in a decent place at the moment, so I agree with the sentiment.

[Reply #676 on:]

I liked bits of the second half of season 4, but thought it was fairly inconsistent...in contrast, starting with "The Distance" I thought this last run of episodes was incredibly strong, at least in terms of this show.

[Reply #677 on:]

Yep, absolutely. The season finale was probably one of the first Walking Dead finales that wasn't anticlimactic or disappointing in some way.

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Yay, Morgan's back! Hopefully he doesn't hate Rick's guts after watching him shoot a guy in the head. Also, Carol threatening Pete was brilliant.

You know, now that season 5 is wrapped up I think I'll rank the episodes from worst to best:

16. Consumed It was an all-round waste of an episode where only the final 5 minutes were necessary. The two leading characters have already had plenty of screen time together so it wasn't exactly a new dynamic. Also, that falling van.
15. Slabtown I liked Beth as a character but she wasn't strong enough to carry the entire episode. Or rather, the entire hospital arc which is possibly the weakest story they've done. I see no reason why this episode couldn't have been merged with "Consumed".
14. Coda Any episode that makes character die due to their own stupidity is going to rank low. On the bright side, it finally concluded the bloody hospital arc.
13. Crossed Another uneventful episode. This could've been merged with "Coda" and nothing of value would've been lost.
12. What Happened and What's Going On Decent episode that dragged on far too long. Nothing more, nothing less.
11. Self Help Also dragged on far too long, however I quite enjoyed the confession scene.
10. Strangers I barely remember anything about this episode other than meeting Gabriel and the ending scene with Bob (which was great). Not bad, but not amazing.
9. Them I didn't like this one at first, however I think it ended up quite necessary to have an episode emphasising how much it sucks out on the road prior to the Alexandria arc.
8. Forget Scene with Carol scarring the shit out of the kid was spooky as hell. Honestly though, the plotline of Sasha going mental wasn't my favourite.
7. Try Fairly tense atmosphere and the fight scene at the end was great.
6. Four Walls and a Roof. "Tainted meat" scene was gold, and the death of the cannibals was not only absolutely brutal, but proof that they can have a great story arc that doesn't last an entire season.
5. Conquer Great finale that was consistently interesting without feeling like a missed opportunity. Loved the implied awkwardness from the ending as well.
4. No Sanctuary Despite some far-fetched elements, this is easily one of the show's most thrilling episodes. Rick and Carl's reunion with Judith was also very touching, which is something rare in show dominated by death and sadness.
3. Remember Really strong and mysterious tone that introduces Alexandria in a fascinating way. Succeeded in being slow-paced, but not boring.
2. The Distance The season's big turning point, in my opinion. Really great from start to finish and the car scene was terrifyingly awesome.
1. Spend One of the show's best episodes. It was brutal, frightening (that revolving door scene) and gave Eugene his baby steps into badassery (or at least, I hope that's where it goes). It also gave us a glimpse of the Glenn from season 1 who did more than fawn over Maggie.

[Reply #678 on:]

I really liked the pilot for Fear the Waling Dead. I've seen a lot of complaints that it's off to a really slow start, but I'm glad that they've taken a bit of time to actually try to make us give a crap about the characters for once.

It wasn't amazing and it wasn't better than the pilot for The Walking Dead, but I've enjoyed it more than any episode of The Walking Dead since season 3 or 4.

[Reply #679 on:]

I don't think "slow" is really a valid complaint for a single episode of The Walking Dead given the premise and direction. I find the end product much more memorable and satisfying if it takes its time.

Anyway, I'm not in any rush to watch FTWD. Maybe once the season is over.