For me, in its prime 'The Walking Dead' was a brilliant show. That prime period being Seasons 1-5. Sure Season 5 wasn't quite as consistent as the previous four and there were some disappointing (by prime 'The Walking Dead' standards) but far from terrible episodes, but at its best the season was of extemely high quality. Which is why it is sad that it declined so badly from Season 7 onwards, one of the biggest declines for any show along with 'House of Cards'.
Season 6's season premiere "First Time Again" is how to start a season with a bang. One of the best episodes of that season, one of the best latter season episodes and one of 'The Walking Dead's' most ambitious and unique episodes. "First Time Again" has a lot going on, is taut, is uncompromisingly tense, emotional and is exceptionally well made (actually stands out on that front), like the best of 'The Walking Dead'. Can totally see why it was critically acclaimed, even if it is more mixed here, and it deserves it in my opinion.
As said, "First Time Again" looks wonderful. The gritty and audacious production design still remains, photography worthy of a film, suitably frightening make-up and visuals that don't look amateurish in any way and like they were made with heart and effort. The black and white has a lot of atmosphere and visually "First Time Again" is one of the more interesting 'The Walking Dead' episodes and stands out, the past and present shots providing storytelling unlike any seen before on the show. The music is haunting and affecting, without being intrusive. The direction is some of the best of the whole of 'The Walking Dead' up to this point, both visually and providing the right amount and kind of drama.
There have not been this many walkers so well used in many an episode (not even in the Season 5 finale "Conquer"), and they are really quite terrifying here. The writing is as taut as can be and the dialogue-driven scenes didn't come over as too talky to me. The story is always compelling and makes the most of its unique structure, the coherence never being an issue and the action-driven scenes have genuine uncompromising tension. The massive set piece is a rich feast of emotions and is edge of the seat excitement, while the cliffhanger is a shocker. Love the sense of community, the character development is some of the latter seasons' richest by quite some way and the same goes for the character interactions.
Just as good are the performances, Andrew Lincoln's acting is some of the best on the show and a sly Melissa McBride is pretty unforgettable even with her screen time not being large. Lennie James kills it again and really shines in his chemistry with Lincoln.
In summary, outstanding start to the sixth season. 10/10
Season 6's season premiere "First Time Again" is how to start a season with a bang. One of the best episodes of that season, one of the best latter season episodes and one of 'The Walking Dead's' most ambitious and unique episodes. "First Time Again" has a lot going on, is taut, is uncompromisingly tense, emotional and is exceptionally well made (actually stands out on that front), like the best of 'The Walking Dead'. Can totally see why it was critically acclaimed, even if it is more mixed here, and it deserves it in my opinion.
As said, "First Time Again" looks wonderful. The gritty and audacious production design still remains, photography worthy of a film, suitably frightening make-up and visuals that don't look amateurish in any way and like they were made with heart and effort. The black and white has a lot of atmosphere and visually "First Time Again" is one of the more interesting 'The Walking Dead' episodes and stands out, the past and present shots providing storytelling unlike any seen before on the show. The music is haunting and affecting, without being intrusive. The direction is some of the best of the whole of 'The Walking Dead' up to this point, both visually and providing the right amount and kind of drama.
There have not been this many walkers so well used in many an episode (not even in the Season 5 finale "Conquer"), and they are really quite terrifying here. The writing is as taut as can be and the dialogue-driven scenes didn't come over as too talky to me. The story is always compelling and makes the most of its unique structure, the coherence never being an issue and the action-driven scenes have genuine uncompromising tension. The massive set piece is a rich feast of emotions and is edge of the seat excitement, while the cliffhanger is a shocker. Love the sense of community, the character development is some of the latter seasons' richest by quite some way and the same goes for the character interactions.
Just as good are the performances, Andrew Lincoln's acting is some of the best on the show and a sly Melissa McBride is pretty unforgettable even with her screen time not being large. Lennie James kills it again and really shines in his chemistry with Lincoln.
In summary, outstanding start to the sixth season. 10/10