'The Walking Dead' was brilliant in its prime. Consider its prime Seasons 1-5, even if Season 5 has not quite been as consistent. As has been said frequently, and it is worth reiterating because "feeling like a completely different show" declines leaves me feeling very annoyed and Seasons 7 and 8 (have yet to watch Season 9 until reviewing all the previous episodes) of 'The Walking Dead' is one of the biggest declines for any show.
Season 6 was inconsistent but boasted a lot of fantastic elements that made it more than watchable. Also thought it started off brilliantly, absolutely loved the previous episode "First Time Again" and love "JSS" just as much (perhaps even more), as one can gather those two are among the sixth season's best and among the latter seasons' best too. Like "First Time Again", "JSS" 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.
"JSS", as always with 'The Walking Dead' is superb in the production values. Not as unique as the previous episode's, 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 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.
What really stands out here is some of the most tense and terrifying storytelling of Season 6, of the latter seasons and in the whole of 'The Walking Dead', in the assault on Alexandria. So unexpected and with plenty of intensity, the Wolves also genuinely frightening. Enid's backstory is intriguing too and the action is edge of your seat worthy in how thrilling it is.
Loved the contrasting views of particularly Carol and Morgan, and Melissa McBride and Lennie James' powerful performances help enormously. 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, Denise's dilemma is not as strongly done as the rest of the story elements but showed a lot of promise. The character interaction is tense and emotional.
In conclusion, superb episode and indicative of a very promising start to Season 6. 10/10
Season 6 was inconsistent but boasted a lot of fantastic elements that made it more than watchable. Also thought it started off brilliantly, absolutely loved the previous episode "First Time Again" and love "JSS" just as much (perhaps even more), as one can gather those two are among the sixth season's best and among the latter seasons' best too. Like "First Time Again", "JSS" 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.
"JSS", as always with 'The Walking Dead' is superb in the production values. Not as unique as the previous episode's, 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 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.
What really stands out here is some of the most tense and terrifying storytelling of Season 6, of the latter seasons and in the whole of 'The Walking Dead', in the assault on Alexandria. So unexpected and with plenty of intensity, the Wolves also genuinely frightening. Enid's backstory is intriguing too and the action is edge of your seat worthy in how thrilling it is.
Loved the contrasting views of particularly Carol and Morgan, and Melissa McBride and Lennie James' powerful performances help enormously. 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, Denise's dilemma is not as strongly done as the rest of the story elements but showed a lot of promise. The character interaction is tense and emotional.
In conclusion, superb episode and indicative of a very promising start to Season 6. 10/10