Had heard nothing but great things about 'The Walking Dead' from friends and IMDb reviewers. It took a while to get round to watching, both from being busy and also not being sure whether it would be my cup of tea. Finally getting round to it a few years ago and slowly working my way through it, having had a very long to watch and review list, 'The Walking Dead' turned out to be very much my cup of tea and as good as the hype made it out to be, have found it extremely addictive.
After a disappointing (though not terrible) end to Season 3, Season 4 begins not quite with a bang but with a huge amount to love and potential with "30 Days Without an Accident". It is yet again a strong reminder of how Seasons 1-5 of 'The Walking Dead' to me were absolutely brilliant and seeing the show in its full glory days (Season 6 was uneven, Season 7 was a huge disappointment and am still debating whether to watch Season 8). It is as emotional, complex and as tense as one would expect, at the same time it has adrenaline and guts.
It still shocks me at how an intelligent, well-made (so much so that it is easy to mistake it for a film) show about zombies could be made when so many films have tried and failed abysmally to do so.
My only complaint of "30 Days Without an Accident" is that at times it is a little too heavy on the talk, something not uncommon in the previous season. Did not mind though at all that it was a quieter episode and relatively action-light, this was an approach that was necessary and 'The Walking Dead' has proven more than once that it can do quieter episodes very well.
Like all the episodes of the show, "30 Days Without an Accident" is incredibly well made in the production values, with gritty and audacious production design, photography of almost cinematic quality, effects that look good, have soul and are not overused or abused and pretty frightening make-up. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but never being too intrusive.
The writing generally is intelligent and thought-provoking, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and shows signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The more eventful parts are thrilling and terrifying as well as uncompromising.
Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story, where a lot happens and full of different strands without being confused or over-stuffed, and character building, which the episode has a bigger emphasis on, and that the pace is rarely dull or rushed, if not as taut or edge of your seat as other previous episdes. The character writing and the character interactions are what is particularly great here, like with Rick and Clara.
Everything is nicely paced without rushing through the more important parts. The world building is already stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric while the show throughout has been strongly acted. Andrew Lincoln is excellent as ever and gets particularly great support from Steven Yeun and Norman Reedus.
On the whole, excellent start to the fourth season. 9/10 Bethany Cox
After a disappointing (though not terrible) end to Season 3, Season 4 begins not quite with a bang but with a huge amount to love and potential with "30 Days Without an Accident". It is yet again a strong reminder of how Seasons 1-5 of 'The Walking Dead' to me were absolutely brilliant and seeing the show in its full glory days (Season 6 was uneven, Season 7 was a huge disappointment and am still debating whether to watch Season 8). It is as emotional, complex and as tense as one would expect, at the same time it has adrenaline and guts.
It still shocks me at how an intelligent, well-made (so much so that it is easy to mistake it for a film) show about zombies could be made when so many films have tried and failed abysmally to do so.
My only complaint of "30 Days Without an Accident" is that at times it is a little too heavy on the talk, something not uncommon in the previous season. Did not mind though at all that it was a quieter episode and relatively action-light, this was an approach that was necessary and 'The Walking Dead' has proven more than once that it can do quieter episodes very well.
Like all the episodes of the show, "30 Days Without an Accident" is incredibly well made in the production values, with gritty and audacious production design, photography of almost cinematic quality, effects that look good, have soul and are not overused or abused and pretty frightening make-up. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but never being too intrusive.
The writing generally is intelligent and thought-provoking, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and shows signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The more eventful parts are thrilling and terrifying as well as uncompromising.
Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story, where a lot happens and full of different strands without being confused or over-stuffed, and character building, which the episode has a bigger emphasis on, and that the pace is rarely dull or rushed, if not as taut or edge of your seat as other previous episdes. The character writing and the character interactions are what is particularly great here, like with Rick and Clara.
Everything is nicely paced without rushing through the more important parts. The world building is already stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric while the show throughout has been strongly acted. Andrew Lincoln is excellent as ever and gets particularly great support from Steven Yeun and Norman Reedus.
On the whole, excellent start to the fourth season. 9/10 Bethany Cox