Review: Season 5 of Walking Dead...the first half

Oh, it's just so good. There's so much to say, and I really wish I'd had the time to address it episode by episode, but alas, here's my take on the first half of The Walking Dead's fifth season.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/GraphicCity/news/?a=110429

First of all, all the stuff with the Termites was perfect. It was the perfect amount of creepy and they served their role as bad guys without overstaying their welcome. At the beginning of the season, I was a little concerned that the show was going to try to turn Gareth into the next governor and would have him hanging around for the entire season. I just didn't think that would age well, so I'm glad they didn't go that route. They were the right amount of faithful to the comics, and they really nailed one of my favorite comic book moments (aka: "Tainted MEAT!!!"). I was really pleased with Lawrence Gilliard Jr.'s performance in his final episodes. He made that excellent moment come alive in a believable and haunting way, and he died with a great deal of dignity.

http://galleryhip.com/walking-dead-abraham-death.html

As for Gareth's last stand, I was also pleased. In the comics, the cannibals are killed in an absolutely excellent bloodbath of vengeance carried out by Rick, Michonne, Abraham, and Andrea with Father Gabriel watching in horror. It's probably my single favorite panel in the comics because I think it says a lot about the theme of the narrative. I was worried that the show would screw this up by not doing it the same way. Even though they didn't do it the exact same way as the comic, the message was the same and I left satisfied. The brutality of their slaughter, justified as it was, was still very clear. It was an excellent moment of television and one of the real high points of the series.

http://www.threeifbyspace.net/2014/10/

Additionally, I'm really happy with Seth Gilliam's portrayal of Father Gabriel, who was introduced in the season five premiere. He is doing a good job of communicating Gabriel's crippling cowardice. It seems that some viewers find him to be a frustrating and useless character, but I would say that he's anything but that. We need to see people like Gabriel in this world because many of us would be very much like him. It's easy to think that you'd be Michonne, slashing down the dead and walking through hordes without blinking, but that's a romantic lie. No one would survive this long without being a little selfish and putting their needs above the needs of others. Another great example of this is Eugene, he's being brought to life in an entertaining and dynamic way by actor Josh McDermitt.

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2790564/

Of course, any review of the season would be remiss if it didn't mention the unifying of the group in the first episode. That was well executed from a writing and story perspective, and it was a great episode for one of my favorite characters, Carol. It was fitting that, after her excommunication, she would be the one to save Rick. It really taught him a lesson about right and wrong, one that he seems to be incorporating into his character. And if you didn't cry when Daryl hugged Carol, or when Rick hugged Judith, or when Sasha hugged Tyreese...well then you're just a monster.

One of my issues with these episodes was that after only a few episodes of the gang being back together again, they had to all fly to the corners of the earth again. I was glad to see them united in the midseason finale, and I hope that they stay that way for a while. While there are drawbacks to having episodes with every single character present, namely that you don't get enough time with any one character, having them split up all the time drags out the narrative in a way that can be a little annoying at times. It's not that I don't enjoy a good character building episode; I really enjoyed the episode on the road with Abraham and crew (aka: GREATM), but sometimes, such as in the episode with Beth in Atlanta, there's just not enough there to sustain a whole episode.

http://io9.com/the-walking-dead-just-turned-into-the-worlds-strangest-1654077087

I have to mention the Beth episode a little more. I hate to do it, because I don't like to speak ill of the dead and all, but that episode was the worst one of the entire show. It was boring, the acting was bad, and Beth is just not an interesting enough character to serve as the crux of the conflict. Generally, I felt that the episode was poorly directed. Dawn was a better character in the later episodes, but in her first appearance she felt unrealistic. A good villain should seem believable, have a purpose that the viewer can buy, even if they don't agree with it. The idea that she really still believed in salvation that long into the apocalypse was a tough pill for me to swallow as a viewer. Also, her management style seemed rife with flaws, so I had trouble believing that she'd held them all together that long when she seemed so weak and disorganized. And if she was supposed to be OCD and a control freak, I can't buy that she'd allow the amount of free movement from people like Beth and Noah that they clearly had within the hospital.

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/21234/20141201/

I do like Noah though, and I'm looking forward to where he'll go. This may be extremely callous to say, but I can't help but think that if we had to trade Beth for Noah, it's probably an upgrade as far as character. It's not that I won't miss Beth; I will, and her death was both brutal and extremely well executed from a narrative standpoint. I always appreciate when characters go quickly in films and television, not giving the opportunity for a farewell. It's brutal, but it's a brutality that is true to life and the effect it has upon those who survive is interesting plot (I'm looking at you, Alan Tudyk in Serenity). I just feel that maybe Beth's character arc had run its course, and the best thing her character had left to offer was to give Daryl another reason to be damaged and angry. She had a good run and she went out like a real beast. That scene at the end with Maggie seeing her was pretty brutal and sad. I won't lie though; there was a part of me that was like "Girl, didn't you just remember that you even had a sister like 45 minutes ago??".

http://www.enstarz.com/articles/48719/20141016/

I'm looking forward to season two and Washington DC, which is where I'm assuming they will be headed next. Great conflict awaits there, but I think it will take until season 6, maybe even the midseason finale of season 6, before we get to meet one of my personal favorite characters: Negan. I'm also really excited to see Morgan's return in the second half of the season. Even though he's only been in a few episodes, Lennie James has made that character so dynamic and engaging. It was the right choice to bring him back as they do in the comics, but I hope he gets to have more of an active role than comic book Morgan did.

So I guess it's a long wait until February, but I'm excited to see where this will go!

Swag: Andrew Lincoln T-Shirt Hilarity

As some of you might know, before Andrew Lincoln was the BA Rick Grimes: Zombie Killer, he was just an emo guy in love with Kiera Knightley in Love Actually. It's true. The man who now commands the respect of millions with his no-nonsense Ricktatoship, was once just a man in a mildly homosexual sweater standing outside of a house on Christmas eve and declaring his love through a series of "awwww!" inspiring signs.

As a mock of that paradox, I found this shirt on Etsy.com that mixes the two Andrew Lincoln roles into one. Once again, Etsy comes through with the absolute hilarity. I want one...oh, how I want one. What's next? We need one the mixes Boondock Saints and Daryl Dixon. This is the closest they've gotten to that one though.

Review: The Walking Dead, Episode 2.12

Sorry it took me so long to post, but what an episode, right?!?! I knew, given all the internet buzz and the comics, that Shane was likely to kick the bucket in the next two episode, but I was getting pretty certain that they were going to hold all their cards until the finale. I, for one, am really, really glad that they didn't. A finale filled with too many "wow" moments would have really made me mad, especially considering that it's only the regular 44 minutes long.

I will say though, as an angry comic book reader, I really wish it had been Carl to pull the initial trigger on Shane. They did throw us comic readers the proverbial bone by having Carl put down zombie Shane, but in the comic it's the other way around. It doesn't really matter that much; I'm just happy he's gone. Not that I don't like you, Jon Bernthal, but it was time. I will say that the show did a good job of throwing in a plethora of red herrings to suggest that it would be Carl to pull the trigger. You can trace moments of foreshadowing on that front all the way back to the first season, but the moment of Shane giving Carl the gun at the beginning of last Sunday's episode were pretty creepy. Very "why do I have a feeling that you're going to be the death of me?"

Some great zombie kills in this episode, too. My personal favorite was Andrea's pitchfork-to-the-face move at the beginning of the episode. Think Dale's death got her a little riled up? Maybe just a bit. But I bet that one will be nothing compared to what's coming in the finale. I'm not one who watches the show entirely for the guts and gore, but hey...it's not a bad side dish. With the zombie horde fast approaching the farm house, I'm assuming we'll see plenty of skull-bashing, brain-splattering delight. In addition, I'm assuming we're about to say goodbye to a few more characters (I'd place bets on at least one or two from Herschel's crew), and as I've stated before, rumors say we're about to see the first appearance of the samurai lawyer, Michonne. I can't wait. I'm hoping we get a first glimpse at the prison as well, but that might be a stretch.

What were your thoughts and reactions to this episode? Hopes for next Sunday? Let me know! While you wait for the episode, check out the very brief preview of next week below...

Review: The Walking Dead, Episode 2.11

If they wanted us to receive the message "this is not the comics", then message received pretty loud and pretty freaking clear.

In the comics, our buddy Dale lives long after many others are gone. He lives to see plenty of death and destruction, including the amputation of his leg after a zombie bite and the amputation of his other leg at the hands of cannibals. But now, while still on the darned Greene farm, Dale has become a walker buffet. I can only assume that the show's producers wanted to keep things fresh and keep people guessing. Goal achieved. Of course, I did read this spoiler before watching tonight's episode. I really wanted it to be a lie. Damn you, internet.

Overall, this episode was pretty good, plenty of drama and tension. I even shed a few tears when Herschel handed over his watch to Glenn...I know, I'm a girl. My only complaint right now is that even I, the loyalest of loyal Walking Dead fans, have become a little frustrated with the pace. It's not that I mind things moving slowly; I don't. It's more that I am assuming there are at least three things (finding the prison, Shane dying, and Michonne showing up) that are likely to happen before the end of the season. That just seems like a heck of a lot to shove into two episodes, so I wish they'd get on with it if that's the end point for the season. If they save it all for the finale, then the finale better be three hours long.

Your thoughts on tonight's episode? What do you hope to see before the show goes on break? If Shane does in fact bite the dust, who do you think will pull the trigger? If you're itching for next week's episode already, check out the preview below.

Review: Walking Dead Volume 15

So I read the newest Walking Dead trade back on Thursday, but didn't get a chance to post my review until now. Honestly, part of my lack of urgency might have been due to a fairly palpable feeling of indifference I felt upon finishing. It's not that the comic isn't good anymore, it's just that it's not great anymore. It's really hard to wait like 6-7 months for something, only to have it fall far short of your expectations.

In earlier issues, the characters were almost all engaging and dynamic. I was interested and invested in Tyrese, Axel, and even the Governor's goons. But now it seems that our remaining intrepid heroes are lost amongst a fog of otherwise mediocre and simplistic characters. This is largely due to the sheer volume of new people, as it just makes it difficult to develop characters as individuals rather than just faces. There are too many people in this damn town, and it makes it even harder to follow the narrative than when Herschel showed up with his 7 million children. And the characters that have been introduced seem a little hollow; they have nothing original or dramatic to bring to the table. I keep thinking of them as zombie food--just more people for Kirkman to kill off as he stalls for time before killing off more major characters.

Also, I'm a little disappointed on the villain front. I know truly horrifying villains like the Governor aren't simply spawned out of an author's pen every day, but come on. Either Rick is going to become the villain or he's not, and if he isn't, then let's start establishing a more consistent and ongoing conflict like Woodbury. Doing so would give the story a clearer and more engaging arc. I'm a little tired of this villain of the month crap. The series is becoming increasingly serial--the law and order of zombies--and I'm not down. As a result, there's no continual sense of fear anymore. I don't end each trade like I used to--by running to the calendar and counting the weeks until the next release.

And what's with Andrea bringing up Shane after all these months? He's been dead for over a year at this point. In the comics, there was never anything between them, so it almost seems like Kirkman is trying to fuse the comics to the TV show rather than the alternative. I hope this was a one time thing, and Kirkman doesn't go the way of Lucas and the prequels. You can't just start changing and rewriting stuff as a result of your own hindsight and a changing fan base. That's not how publication works.

Also, it's getting a little soap opera-y. The whole "Rick's demons" thing is becoming more melodrama than actual drama, and...this is a bit of a spoiler...there's literally a part where a character develops amnesia. Come on. Is Kirkman pulling for a lead writer gig on The Young and the Restless?

But, all my carping aside, I did enjoy it. All our favorites are still there and there's some pretty anxiety-inducing stuff with Glenn. Michonne is being her usual, gloomy self, and this one at least has some romantic drama, even if it's lacking in other dramatic conflict. The ending is eyebrow raising...if not a little predictable, and yes, I'll still be reading. I'd just like to see it gather the intensity it once had. It's grown a little amorphous over time.

There's still time to order it and ship it before Christmas! Walking Dead: Volume 15 is available from amazon.com for $10.18.

Top 5: Best Moments of Walking Dead's Season 2.0

#5: Nothing says romance like the zombie apocalypse...and looting...
I really love when a show that is this serious finds moments for happiness and light. As Dale says, "we can still find joy", and boy do Glenn and Maggie find it together. Now I know many of us are quick to judge the lack of thought that went into the decision to get it on in the pharmacy, but it's nice to see Glenn happy. And, if nothing else, the dialogue that led up to the encounter was pretty hilarious. I'm really liking the actress who plays Maggie (much more than I like Maggie of the comics).

http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-photos/episode-4-glenn-maggie.php

#4: Michael Rooker's cameo
As an older sibling, I don't really get the whole "I love my older sibling and yet hate them at the same time" thing, but I'm sure my sister would be happy to explain it to me. Regardless, you have to love the raw honesty of the relationship between Daryll and Meryl. Without telling us a great deal about their history, you can sense the aura of abandonment and disappoint, even as it mixes with a sense of love and loyalty. Nice to see Daryll's demons, as he remains one of my favorite characters.

http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-photos/episode-5-merle-daryl.php

#3: Honesty is an important element in any relationship
I've read the comics...many times...so I knew that Lori was pregnant. But in the comic she never comes right out and owns up to her relationship with Shane. Eventually, Rick kind of admits that he knows, but this doesn't happen until long after Shane is dead. So when she was just like "yeah, I totally had a thing with your bff", I was pretty floored. But hey, honesty is the best policy. Right?

http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-photos/episode-6-rick-2.php

#2: The first to go are the fatties
Well, better get myself to the gym or avoid encountering Shane in the apocalypse. Whether you can justify his decision to sacrifice Otis or not, I think we can all agree that it was an excellent moment from the series. It speaks volumes about where Shane is now and potentially foreshadows his actions in the future. I'm with Dale; Steer clear of this dude.

http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-photos/episode-3-shane-otis-2.php

#1: Well...we found Sophia, guys...
Yeah, totally didn't see that coming. And Nicotero did such a good job with the makeup in that scene that, if only for a brief moment, I thought "maybe she's alive". Great acting job in reaction on the part of Carol, btw. That's a hell of a way to end the first half of a season though. Nothing says "the gloves are off" like killing a child. Battlestar Galactica proved that in their miniseries. Looks like the same brutality will exist here, and I'm looking forward to it.

http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-photos/episode-7-sophia.php

Come on, February! Best Valentine's Day gift ever! Until then, enjoy this article about the upcoming season 2.5, or watch this teaser video courtesy of AMC.

Review: The Walking Dead, Episode 2.7

So...yeah, we're clearly off the map of the comics. And as a loyal comic reader, I'm actually sort of okay with that. I mean, as much as I love the comics, it does enhance my viewing that I don't know what will happen next. And really who doesn't love T-Dog and Darrell?

So, for the sake of organizing my thoughts, I'm reviewing tonight's episode in list form:

1. I really feel Glenn on the whole keeping secrets thing. I mean, honestly, the world's a mess. Why should he have to be the keeper of all sacred knowledge on top of everything else? I would've spilled the beans, too. Come on, Lori. 
2. Yeah...that's not how the morning after pill works. But then again, they had a pregnancy test register results in like 2 seconds a few episodes ago, so clearly these dudes need a little medical schooling. I understand her desperation, but she could have poisoned herself.
3. Well, looks like the whole Shane secret's out of the bag. THAT never happens in the comics! Eventually it seems like Rick figures it out, but by that point Shane is long dead, and Lori never actually comes right out and says it. I guess it's a little more realistic this way. What did you think?
4. Shane and Andrea certainly never got it on in the comic, but I'm okay with it here. I mean, it seems fairly realistic. They've been spending a lot of time together, and they're around the same age. My guess is that many people would turn to that sort of carnal comfort in such a situation.
5. I thought Dale's reaction to Shane was a little sudden. I mean, in the comic Dale and Andrea are an item, but it doesn't seem like that's what's been going on in the show. And Dale isn't a twelve year old boy who puffs up his chest and starts fights on the playground, so it just seemed a little contrived to me.

And my guesses for next week?

1. I don't know...I'm kind of not buying the whole "we're not killing off Shane yet" thing. Ever since the producers of Battlestar Galactica lied to me about the return of one Kara Thrace, I'm reticent to trust producers and writers about upcoming plot points. Their job is to trick and guile you, and they know you want to be surprised. Maybe I'm wrong, but with all the foreshadowing this episode, I bet it happens this season.
2. I think Shane's gonna kill off all the zombies in the barn without asking...which will inevitably lead to their excommunication from the ranch.
3. Someone's gonna die. If it ain't Shane, my money's on one of Hershel's kids or T-Dog.
4. They'll find Sophia...and she'll be alive...maybe?
5. If they leave, will Glenn elect to stay behind as he does in the comic? I'm not sure...

Can't wait until next week's episode? Check out this not-satisfying-enough preview for next week's episode: