In its prime years 'The Walking Dead' was to me one of the best and most addictive shows of the past decade. Those prime years being Seasons 1-5. Which is why it angers and saddens me that it suffered such a significant decline with Seasons 7 and 8, which could pass for something else entirely. One of the biggest declines for any show in my mind, have yet to see Season 9 (will do after reviewing all the episodes in Seasons 1-8) but am really hoping that it's better.
Season 6 wasn't as consistent, but still started off brilliantly. Absolutely loved the previous two episodes "First Time Again" and "JSS". Feel exactly the same with the every bit as brilliant third episode "Thank You". Like "JSS", "Thank You" has a lot going on, is taut, is uncompromisingly tense, emotional and is exceptionally well made (actually stands out on that front), like the best of 'The Walking Dead'. Its critical acclaim, despite its again mixed reception here, is very much deserved.
"Thank You" as always for 'The Walking Dead' looks top notch. The gritty and audacious production design still remains, photography worthy of a film, suitably frightening make-up and visuals that don't look amateurish in any way and like they were made with heart and effort. The music is haunting and affecting, without being intrusive. The direction is some of the best of the whole of 'The Walking Dead' up to this point, both visually and providing the right amount and kind of drama. A big standout on both counts was the dumpster scene, which was an absolutely stunning scene in every regard and up there with the show's best individual scenes from personal opinion.
On a storytelling level, "Thank You" is continually gripping and in a way that does enhance plot points and characterisation. It didn't feel like pointless filler, or at least not to me. The action left me on the edge of my seat, the taut dialogue provoked thought and the episode boasted the first "what the heck just happened, that didn't just happen" moment of the season, possibly the closest it gets to that level. The major tragedy is genuinely heart-wrenching and the decision to leave another character's fate indefinite was handled with tension and poignancy, one wanting to keep watching.
As said, the dialogue is taut and thought-provoking, avoiding descending into too much talk in the more dialogue-driven scenes. The Wolves provide the right amount of foreboding. The characters don't bore or annoy and the interactions between them avoid being overwrought and are instead tense and affecting. The acting all round can't be faulted.
Concluding, brilliant. 10/10
Season 6 wasn't as consistent, but still started off brilliantly. Absolutely loved the previous two episodes "First Time Again" and "JSS". Feel exactly the same with the every bit as brilliant third episode "Thank You". Like "JSS", "Thank You" has a lot going on, is taut, is uncompromisingly tense, emotional and is exceptionally well made (actually stands out on that front), like the best of 'The Walking Dead'. Its critical acclaim, despite its again mixed reception here, is very much deserved.
"Thank You" as always for 'The Walking Dead' looks top notch. The gritty and audacious production design still remains, photography worthy of a film, suitably frightening make-up and visuals that don't look amateurish in any way and like they were made with heart and effort. The music is haunting and affecting, without being intrusive. The direction is some of the best of the whole of 'The Walking Dead' up to this point, both visually and providing the right amount and kind of drama. A big standout on both counts was the dumpster scene, which was an absolutely stunning scene in every regard and up there with the show's best individual scenes from personal opinion.
On a storytelling level, "Thank You" is continually gripping and in a way that does enhance plot points and characterisation. It didn't feel like pointless filler, or at least not to me. The action left me on the edge of my seat, the taut dialogue provoked thought and the episode boasted the first "what the heck just happened, that didn't just happen" moment of the season, possibly the closest it gets to that level. The major tragedy is genuinely heart-wrenching and the decision to leave another character's fate indefinite was handled with tension and poignancy, one wanting to keep watching.
As said, the dialogue is taut and thought-provoking, avoiding descending into too much talk in the more dialogue-driven scenes. The Wolves provide the right amount of foreboding. The characters don't bore or annoy and the interactions between them avoid being overwrought and are instead tense and affecting. The acting all round can't be faulted.
Concluding, brilliant. 10/10