This should've been the season five finale. I know, I know, they went a different way, and that's fine, but think about it. This would've been perfect as a season finale. The dramatic ending, and the season's journey coming beautifully full-circle. They should've moved some plot into season six, and thrown in some more in between episodes of season five, because this was a season finale if I've ever seen one.
However, in terms of the quality.
I have never said this about "The Walking Dead" before, but the episode's crowning achievement is the acting. Particularly from, you guessed it, Andrew Lincoln. It's not Emmy nomination acting, but it's very good.
The episode didn't have any real weaknesses, except for, other than Lincoln's acting and Hoffman's writing, the fact that it didn't have any real strengths. It was intense, sure. It was well-conceptualized and well-executed, sure. But I have grievances.
First and foremost is the applesauce scene. Aaron is willing to risk the baby's well-being, and by extension his own, not to mention the fact that he's chained up by Rick, and refuse to taste the applesauce because he doesn't like the taste of applesauce? What? I could live with that if it turned out to be poison, but no. It was just applesauce. That scene was five minutes of Rick spoon-feeding this man who -get this- WASN'T trying to poison Judith. What a thriller!
It's not bad television, it's just flawed.
However, in terms of the quality.
I have never said this about "The Walking Dead" before, but the episode's crowning achievement is the acting. Particularly from, you guessed it, Andrew Lincoln. It's not Emmy nomination acting, but it's very good.
The episode didn't have any real weaknesses, except for, other than Lincoln's acting and Hoffman's writing, the fact that it didn't have any real strengths. It was intense, sure. It was well-conceptualized and well-executed, sure. But I have grievances.
First and foremost is the applesauce scene. Aaron is willing to risk the baby's well-being, and by extension his own, not to mention the fact that he's chained up by Rick, and refuse to taste the applesauce because he doesn't like the taste of applesauce? What? I could live with that if it turned out to be poison, but no. It was just applesauce. That scene was five minutes of Rick spoon-feeding this man who -get this- WASN'T trying to poison Judith. What a thriller!
It's not bad television, it's just flawed.