Rick, Glenn, Daryl and T-Dog come across a group of seemingly hostile survivors whilst searching for Merle. Back at camp, Jim begins behaving erratically.Rick, Glenn, Daryl and T-Dog come across a group of seemingly hostile survivors whilst searching for Merle. Back at camp, Jim begins behaving erratically.Rick, Glenn, Daryl and T-Dog come across a group of seemingly hostile survivors whilst searching for Merle. Back at camp, Jim begins behaving erratically.
- Morales
- (as Juan Pareja)
- Felipe
- (as Noel G.)
- Jacqui
- (as Jeryl Prescott Sales)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the first episode in which we actually see some human characters being eaten by the walkers.
- GoofsPart of Rick's reason to return to Atlanta, besides looking for Merl, is to retrieve his bag of guns. In fact they almost have a shoot out with the other group over the bag of guns. Yet, throughout the downtown dozens of machine guns and holstered pistols can be seen on dead soldiers and several M-60s can be seen sticking up from the sandbags.
- Quotes
[Dale quotes a line by William Faulkner about time]
Dale Horvath: I like... I like what, um, a father said to his son when he gave him a watch that had been handed down through generations. He said, 'I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire, which will fit your individual needs no better than it did mine or my father's before me; I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you may forget it for a moment now and then and not spend all of your breath trying to conquer it.'
Amy: [the group remains silent] You are so weird.
Dale Horvath: [the group laughs] It's not me. It's Faulkner. William Faulkner. Maybe my bad paraphrasing.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Talking Dead: The Damned (2017)
"Vatos" continues the extensive character building and a full establishment of tone, in no way disappoints, maintains the complexity and delivers even more on the tension, emotional impact and adrenaline-rush guts. Another 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). The characters and storylines are advancing well even if there are not what one calls "resolutions".
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.
Complaints are few actually. Sarah Wayne Callies doesn't seem at ease yet in a role that was not interesting at this point of the show. The biggest issue though for me was the tension of Rick's storyline being let down too much by an anti-climactic and hokey-in-writing stand off where Guillermo's silly dialogue and how little the scene adds to the rest of the episode or that particular subplot in general dilutes things too much.
Like all the episodes of the show however, "Vatos" 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 which helps make the already freaky zombies even freakier. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but never being too intrusive.
The writing, the aforementioned grievances aside, is intelligent and thought-provoking, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and already showing signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The more eventful scenes are thrilling and terrifying as well as uncompromising.
Particularly found the Amy and Andrea's interactions very effective, the sisterly bond wrenching the heart.
It's all thrilling and tautly 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. "Vatos" is no exception, with the heartfelt performance of Laurie Holden standing out. Andrew Lincoln continues to be an excellent lead.
Overall, excellent on the most part. 9/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 17, 2018
Details
- Runtime44 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD