Eugene is forced to step up when a run led by Glenn goes awry. Back at Alexandria, Carol uncovers a secret.Eugene is forced to step up when a run led by Glenn goes awry. Back at Alexandria, Carol uncovers a secret.Eugene is forced to step up when a run led by Glenn goes awry. Back at Alexandria, Carol uncovers a secret.
- Carl Grimes
- (credit only)
- Michonne
- (credit only)
- Sasha Williams
- (credit only)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe construction site scenes were filmed in the courtyard of the prison from earlier seasons.
- GoofsFragmentation grenades have a kill radius of 5 meters (~15 feet) and a casualty radius of 15 meters (~45 feet). It's impossible that the only effect Glenn and the group experienced was concussion. They would have been severely wounded or killed by the fragmentation and the cardboard boxes and packing peanuts would have done virtually nothing to impede the shrapnel.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Deanna Monroe: Gabriel, what is it?
Father Gabriel Stokes: I need to speak with you.
Deanna Monroe: Come - Come in.
Father Gabriel Stokes: Privately.
Deanna Monroe: All, right.
Father Gabriel Stokes: Satan... he disguises himself as the angel of light. I'm afraid that false light is here, inside these walls. This community, you say it's not a paradise, but it is. I'm grateful to be here. I am. But you made a mistake letting in the others.
Deanna Monroe: How so?
Father Gabriel Stokes: [Maggie listens from around the corner hallway to Gabriel talk about Rick and her group] Rick... his group... they're not good people. They've done things. They've done unspeakable things.
Carol Peletier: [the scene cuts to Carol talking to Rick] Pete's hitting Jessie. Maybe Sam, too.
Deanna Monroe: [the scene cuts back to Deanna and Gabriel] To make it out there as long as he did. They must've done things, Rick said as much. They survived. That's what makes them assets.
Father Gabriel Stokes: You're wrong. They can't be trusted. They're dangerous. You may believe that they did, what they had to do, that they were afraid and so they - The day will come... when they'll put their own lives before yours and everyone else's and they will destroy everything you have here. Everything you're working so hard to build.
Rick Grimes: You know this how? Sam tell you?
Carol Peletier: He didn't have to.
Father Gabriel Stokes: Why are you just now coming to me with this?
Father Gabriel Stokes: He disguises himself as an angel of light. His servants are the false apostles of righteousness. They don't deserve this. They don't deserve paradise.
Deanna Monroe: Thank you, Gabriel. I have a lot to think about.
Father Gabriel Stokes: I - I only wish I'd come to you sooner. That I just - I hope it isn't too late.
Carol Peletier: Rick. I know how this is gonna go with Pete. There's only one way it can go. You're gonna have to kill him.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Gruesome TV Deaths (2015)
Although Season 5 was not as consistent as the previous four seasons and had its slow spots, it was generally one of 'The Walking Dead's' better seasons thanks to its high points being so brilliant. Contrary to what some fans say, the weakest episodes while patchy were in my respectful opinion still overall decent with a lot done right. Of which "Spend" is one of the season's high-points, along with the first three episodes, "The Distance" and "Remember". Would go as far to say that it is a show high-point as well, and prime-'The Walking Dead'. An uncompromising scorcher, it is one of the show's most brutal and shocking episodes, while not doing it in a gratuitous way, and also a contender for the season's most emotional.
Despite the highest possible rating here, "Spend" was not quite perfection. Personally think that Father Gabriel's opening scene was rather strange (his big revelation though fared much better, that was gut-wrenching). Found that however to not be a big issue, with so much eclipsing it that one forgets it's there, being at the start of the episode and so much unforgettable happening afterwards.
"Spend" is superbly made as an episode, which is hardly unexpected. It has gritty and audacious production design, visuals that are well crafted and have soul rather than being overused and abused and photography of almost cinematic quality. The walkers don't look cheap at all, are pretty terrifying and their scenes really wrench the gut. The music is haunting and affecting, without being intrusive. The direction is controlled yet alert.
The writing is thought-provoking and tight enough to stop it from rambling. The story very quickly recovers after a shaky start, being tautly paced without being rushed, having sincere moments without slowing down or getting too sentimental and with a significant amount of tension. It is far from filler and the storytelling feels like it's advancing, likewise with the characterisation (namely Carol), and new things being introduced with a lot of intrigue. The Carol story is intriguing and Alexandria properly feels like a sense of community with Rick being the most interesting he's been in a while, but where the episode has the most staying power is with the supply run and its tragic outcome, the uncompromising brutality both disturbing and poignant in particular Noah's exit. Glenn's reaction mirrors our own.
All the performances are top notch, with big shout outs going to Andrew Lincoln, Steven Yeun and Melissa McBride.
Summing up, scorching episode and one of Season 5's best. With two episodes to go before the end of the season, it does make one excited for what's to come. 9.5-10/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Apr 30, 2019
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD