Admittedly it took me time to get round to watching 'The Walking Dead'. It was highly recommended to me. Both from being busy and also not being sure whether it would be my cup of tea. 'The Walking Dead' though was one of those gradually getting through the episodes over-time experiences but at its best it proved to be extremely addictive viewing, which is why it was a shame that Seasons 7 and 8 were such a let down (yes do have to agree with the general consensus here on this front).
Regarding the first five seasons, Season 5 for me had the most consistent beginning, none of the previous seasons had equally brilliant first three episodes, that are up there with the most gutsy and powerful episodes of the show, like Season 5 did. As has been said many times (and it still will continue to be because for me it's an important point to make), 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, though the show is so much more than that, could be made when so many films have tried and failed abysmally to do so. The season after the third episode did have a bit of a quality dip, though not a drastically big one. "Slabtown" and "Self Help" had a lot of great merits but underwhelmed a bit while "Consumed" while not a return to form was a step up, likewise with "Crossed".
Generally found "Coda" among the better episodes of the first part of Season 5 and a very well done mid-season finale. Not in the same league as the first three episodes, a step down from "Consumed" and has a slight edge over "Slabtown", "Self Help" and "Crossed". As was said with "Crossed", other episodes do a much better job progressing/advancing the plot and characters, as well as providing more surprises.
Did find the Father Gabriel parts a bit tedious again and veering on being on the too silly side.
More problematic was some of the character decisions, which did lack logic and do frustrate. Particularly Beth's in the latter stages, which were fairly inexplicable.
Everything else however is terrific. "Coda", like all the episodes before it, is superbly made. It has gritty and audacious production design, visuals that are well crafted and have soul rather than being overused and abused and photography of almost cinematic quality, especially in the trade off. The music is haunting and affecting, without being intrusive.
There is a lot of thought provoking writing and emotion. There is subtle tension and emotional power, and some great character development that feels advanced rather than reiterated or going in circles. Did care for the characters here and it is a shame that Dawn never got to grow as a character as she could have done. Never do expect non-stop action from the show because it excels even more at world immersion, character building/development and interaction. "Coda" excels very well in all three. It also though provides some thrilling and gut-punching action, with an attention grabbing opening and a truly harrowing and heart-rending ending.
"Coda" is controlled in its direction on the most part and the acting all round ranges from very good to outstanding. Especially from Lauren Cohan and Norman Reedus in the latter parts of the episodes. Emily Kinney also gives some of her best acting of the show here.
Summarising, very well done mid-season finale. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Regarding the first five seasons, Season 5 for me had the most consistent beginning, none of the previous seasons had equally brilliant first three episodes, that are up there with the most gutsy and powerful episodes of the show, like Season 5 did. As has been said many times (and it still will continue to be because for me it's an important point to make), 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, though the show is so much more than that, could be made when so many films have tried and failed abysmally to do so. The season after the third episode did have a bit of a quality dip, though not a drastically big one. "Slabtown" and "Self Help" had a lot of great merits but underwhelmed a bit while "Consumed" while not a return to form was a step up, likewise with "Crossed".
Generally found "Coda" among the better episodes of the first part of Season 5 and a very well done mid-season finale. Not in the same league as the first three episodes, a step down from "Consumed" and has a slight edge over "Slabtown", "Self Help" and "Crossed". As was said with "Crossed", other episodes do a much better job progressing/advancing the plot and characters, as well as providing more surprises.
Did find the Father Gabriel parts a bit tedious again and veering on being on the too silly side.
More problematic was some of the character decisions, which did lack logic and do frustrate. Particularly Beth's in the latter stages, which were fairly inexplicable.
Everything else however is terrific. "Coda", like all the episodes before it, is superbly made. It has gritty and audacious production design, visuals that are well crafted and have soul rather than being overused and abused and photography of almost cinematic quality, especially in the trade off. The music is haunting and affecting, without being intrusive.
There is a lot of thought provoking writing and emotion. There is subtle tension and emotional power, and some great character development that feels advanced rather than reiterated or going in circles. Did care for the characters here and it is a shame that Dawn never got to grow as a character as she could have done. Never do expect non-stop action from the show because it excels even more at world immersion, character building/development and interaction. "Coda" excels very well in all three. It also though provides some thrilling and gut-punching action, with an attention grabbing opening and a truly harrowing and heart-rending ending.
"Coda" is controlled in its direction on the most part and the acting all round ranges from very good to outstanding. Especially from Lauren Cohan and Norman Reedus in the latter parts of the episodes. Emily Kinney also gives some of her best acting of the show here.
Summarising, very well done mid-season finale. 8/10 Bethany Cox