Season 8 was generally not a particularly good season at all, but it did show signs of improvement in the second half after a very shaky (and that's an understatement) first. Personally do consider it weaker than Season 7 which disappointed on the whole. By all means, some episodes were not bad at all, "The Key" and "The Lost and the Plunderers" in fact impressed me a lot, but most of the season's first half was full of duds. This is coming from a fan of 'The Walking Dead', who loved the first five seasons and a good deal of Season 6.
"Do Not Send Us Astray" is not one of the worst episodes of 'The Walking Dead's' Season 8. It is also not one of the best. To me it is around lower middling. There are some improvements, and one aspect in particular stops the episode from being mediocre, but many of the things that particularly let down the season are still present. As said, "Do Not Send Us Astray" is not a terrible episode and 'The Walking Dead' did a lot worse than this, but it could have been much better than it turned out.
There are things that the episode does well. Steven Ogg is very commanding and brings real unsettling menace to his role and to the episode which does help make some of the conflict in the first act just about believable. Simon is the most interesting character here and the only one that progresses much.
Also thought that the lighting and photography had some nice atmosphere, as did the music. All the acting is fine, with Ogg dominating. Did find some of the early stages compelling and tense and do wish it was maintained all the way through.
However, there is a lot that could have been improved upon drastically. The pacing is rather dull and atmosphere-wise it feels bland. Also thought that it tried to pack in too many threads and too many characters and does too little with most.
A laudable effort is made to develop Simon, but it comes at the expense of the other characters, most given short shrift or unnecessary. There is also some truly dumb and illogical decision making, especially in the logic lapses-laden final third. The episode also feels predictable and lacking in surprises, with a drawn out ending that makes one feel irked and confused rather than thrilled. The dialogue is too heavy in rambling talk and the production values have a hasty look.
Overall, nothing special other than Ogg. 5/10.
"Do Not Send Us Astray" is not one of the worst episodes of 'The Walking Dead's' Season 8. It is also not one of the best. To me it is around lower middling. There are some improvements, and one aspect in particular stops the episode from being mediocre, but many of the things that particularly let down the season are still present. As said, "Do Not Send Us Astray" is not a terrible episode and 'The Walking Dead' did a lot worse than this, but it could have been much better than it turned out.
There are things that the episode does well. Steven Ogg is very commanding and brings real unsettling menace to his role and to the episode which does help make some of the conflict in the first act just about believable. Simon is the most interesting character here and the only one that progresses much.
Also thought that the lighting and photography had some nice atmosphere, as did the music. All the acting is fine, with Ogg dominating. Did find some of the early stages compelling and tense and do wish it was maintained all the way through.
However, there is a lot that could have been improved upon drastically. The pacing is rather dull and atmosphere-wise it feels bland. Also thought that it tried to pack in too many threads and too many characters and does too little with most.
A laudable effort is made to develop Simon, but it comes at the expense of the other characters, most given short shrift or unnecessary. There is also some truly dumb and illogical decision making, especially in the logic lapses-laden final third. The episode also feels predictable and lacking in surprises, with a drawn out ending that makes one feel irked and confused rather than thrilled. The dialogue is too heavy in rambling talk and the production values have a hasty look.
Overall, nothing special other than Ogg. 5/10.