This The Walking Dead, titled "Claimed," was a slower paced episode compared to previous ones, especially last week's zombie-filled episode, but it was still a good character-driven episode filled with some tense moments, but also some awkward dialogue and situations.
This episode was split into three separate stories: Rick and the house invaders, Michonne and Carl scavenging for supplies and bonding over the past, and Glenn and Tara's new group, including promising newcomers Abraham, Eugene, and Rosetta. In my opinion, the strongest story this week was Rick's. It was a great, tense situation Rick found himself in, constantly hiding in doorways and under the bed in order to evade the group that has invaded the house. It was a new situation for the show, and a welcome addition. The best part of the show is when humans fight other humans, showing the true danger of the zombie-filled world, and this situation again highlighted how Rick has come to fear humans more than zombies. I loved the situation; it was tense and exciting. However, some things did not work. Some of the situations Rick found himself in was construed and used simply for the purposes of excitement. For example, the first man in the room simply walked around, apparently pondering the wallpaper and the bed. Why was he standing in front of the bed for twenty seconds? Was he admiring it? It was slightly silly and took me out of the situation a little bit, but it was still exciting enough to be involving. My second criticism concerns the man in the bathroom. Why was he just sitting there staring at Rick when Rick came into the bathroom? I suppose it could have been because he was in shock seeing Rick, but he probably stared at him for a good five seconds. It was another silly instance, and the ensuing fight did not help matters. No one heard the commotion in the bathroom? We knew Rick was going to win the fight anyways, so the lack of excitement and implausible aspect of no one hearing the right took me slightly out of the scene. Overall, his scenes were exciting and tense, a welcome addition to the episode and easily the greatest part.
Second best was Abraham's story. I actually enjoy the new characters a lot, minus Rosetta. Abraham seems like a tough and out of control man, but also one who is smart enough to know the situation he is and acts accordingly. Eugene also seems like a welcome addition, and who knew a scientist could be so redneck looking!? It's not how I picture them, anyway. Their new situation seems exciting, regarding the prospect of Washington and answers regarding the zombie outbreak. I seriously doubt we will get said answers for long time (if at all), but it is a welcoming new storyline and one I am excited to see play out. The only criticism I would have regarding this storyline is Rosetta. How cartoon-looking is that woman!? She looks like a female army figurine, complete with short shorts, boots, and hat. She looks ridiculous, and I am having a very hard time taking them seriously.
Finally, and my personal least favourite, was Michonne and Carl reminiscing and bonding over their past traumas. It was nice to see Michonne and Carl bonding, and they have a good chemistry between them, but some of their dialogue and situations were near awful. "I was laughing on the inside," was groan-worthy, as was Carl's whole speech in the child's bedroom. Chandler Riggs cannot pull off the emotional scenes. Some of Michonne's actions were also awkward, including filling her mouth with cheese spray and acting like a monster around Carl. I know it was supposed to be awkward for Michonne, but it was still weird as hell. Luckily, theirs and Rick's ending was also eventful, as they seem to be heading towards the same safe zone that Tyreese and Carol are heading towards. What comes of their reunion will remain to be seen, but I am more hopeful for the future of this show than I have been for a long time.
For more reviews and weekly reviews of TWD, see my blog at http://nathansharp28.tumblr.com/
8/10
This episode was split into three separate stories: Rick and the house invaders, Michonne and Carl scavenging for supplies and bonding over the past, and Glenn and Tara's new group, including promising newcomers Abraham, Eugene, and Rosetta. In my opinion, the strongest story this week was Rick's. It was a great, tense situation Rick found himself in, constantly hiding in doorways and under the bed in order to evade the group that has invaded the house. It was a new situation for the show, and a welcome addition. The best part of the show is when humans fight other humans, showing the true danger of the zombie-filled world, and this situation again highlighted how Rick has come to fear humans more than zombies. I loved the situation; it was tense and exciting. However, some things did not work. Some of the situations Rick found himself in was construed and used simply for the purposes of excitement. For example, the first man in the room simply walked around, apparently pondering the wallpaper and the bed. Why was he standing in front of the bed for twenty seconds? Was he admiring it? It was slightly silly and took me out of the situation a little bit, but it was still exciting enough to be involving. My second criticism concerns the man in the bathroom. Why was he just sitting there staring at Rick when Rick came into the bathroom? I suppose it could have been because he was in shock seeing Rick, but he probably stared at him for a good five seconds. It was another silly instance, and the ensuing fight did not help matters. No one heard the commotion in the bathroom? We knew Rick was going to win the fight anyways, so the lack of excitement and implausible aspect of no one hearing the right took me slightly out of the scene. Overall, his scenes were exciting and tense, a welcome addition to the episode and easily the greatest part.
Second best was Abraham's story. I actually enjoy the new characters a lot, minus Rosetta. Abraham seems like a tough and out of control man, but also one who is smart enough to know the situation he is and acts accordingly. Eugene also seems like a welcome addition, and who knew a scientist could be so redneck looking!? It's not how I picture them, anyway. Their new situation seems exciting, regarding the prospect of Washington and answers regarding the zombie outbreak. I seriously doubt we will get said answers for long time (if at all), but it is a welcoming new storyline and one I am excited to see play out. The only criticism I would have regarding this storyline is Rosetta. How cartoon-looking is that woman!? She looks like a female army figurine, complete with short shorts, boots, and hat. She looks ridiculous, and I am having a very hard time taking them seriously.
Finally, and my personal least favourite, was Michonne and Carl reminiscing and bonding over their past traumas. It was nice to see Michonne and Carl bonding, and they have a good chemistry between them, but some of their dialogue and situations were near awful. "I was laughing on the inside," was groan-worthy, as was Carl's whole speech in the child's bedroom. Chandler Riggs cannot pull off the emotional scenes. Some of Michonne's actions were also awkward, including filling her mouth with cheese spray and acting like a monster around Carl. I know it was supposed to be awkward for Michonne, but it was still weird as hell. Luckily, theirs and Rick's ending was also eventful, as they seem to be heading towards the same safe zone that Tyreese and Carol are heading towards. What comes of their reunion will remain to be seen, but I am more hopeful for the future of this show than I have been for a long time.
For more reviews and weekly reviews of TWD, see my blog at http://nathansharp28.tumblr.com/
8/10