FULL IN-DEPTH REVIEW HERE: http://www.ign.com/blogs/ao66 He's back!!!!! All of the episodes this year have been excellent, but nothing else comes close to "Internment". This was simply one of the greatest if not the greatest episode of the entire SERIES, let alone this season. Tense action, the near-deaths of major characters, and character-defining moments made this episode truly special. Television really doesn't get much better than this.
From the first shot of the episode it was easy to see that this would be some deep material. Rick's thoughtful drive had a lot to ponder. Then we were plunged right into the struggles of Hershel, Sasha, Glenn, and the rest of the sick. Thus the table was set for the major character of the episode: Hershel. This week was truly his finest hour, even before the chaos erupted (don't worry, I'll get to that later). They did a fantastic job of immediately showing the horrific state of those in the cell block. It doesn't get much worse that having to pump over and over again to keep someone alive (though it did get worse). Despite the circumstances, Hershel did all he could to keep hope. However, he wasn't just preaching to others that they needed to keep hope despite being sick. When things got tough for Hershel and he almost lost everything, including his own life, he didn't lose hope. More importantly, he didn't lose faith in what he believes, as evidenced by his reading of the Bible towards the end of the episode. The very relevant and well-written quote about hopelessness being worse than sickness was something Hershel really took to heart. There were just so many phenomenal scenes with Hershel: rolling out the dead and killing them out of sight, his conflict of views with the doctor, and so on. There isn't a character on the show more understanding than Hershel. He knew seeing Glenn would crush Maggie, so he made sure he didn't see her. While he would be the "hero" later on, I thought his most telling character moment was when he saved Sasha. Carol would have killed her right then and there, but Hershel isn't like that. He absolutely refused to give up on her, and as a result, she lived. Sasha said it herself: what Hershel did is what many would define as "stupid", and he did tons of "stupid" things in this episode. But if stupid is risking your own life to save others, then I certainly think Hershel wouldn't mind being labeled as such. Words really don't do Scott Wilson's performance justice. A showing like that is what wins people awards. While those around him made sure they weren't completely overshadowed (Steven Yeun, Sonequa Martin-Green), he gave the standout performance of the season so far for ANY actor. It wasn't just him that made this "Hershel episode" so special, it was the writing. The writing was superb throughout, and honestly it was the best all season, which is really saying something considering I have said this is the most well-written season thus far. Every single line was not only pertinent, but deep and meaningful. Before the first shot was even fired this was shaping up to be the season's best episode.......continued at http://www.ign.com/blogs/ao66
From the first shot of the episode it was easy to see that this would be some deep material. Rick's thoughtful drive had a lot to ponder. Then we were plunged right into the struggles of Hershel, Sasha, Glenn, and the rest of the sick. Thus the table was set for the major character of the episode: Hershel. This week was truly his finest hour, even before the chaos erupted (don't worry, I'll get to that later). They did a fantastic job of immediately showing the horrific state of those in the cell block. It doesn't get much worse that having to pump over and over again to keep someone alive (though it did get worse). Despite the circumstances, Hershel did all he could to keep hope. However, he wasn't just preaching to others that they needed to keep hope despite being sick. When things got tough for Hershel and he almost lost everything, including his own life, he didn't lose hope. More importantly, he didn't lose faith in what he believes, as evidenced by his reading of the Bible towards the end of the episode. The very relevant and well-written quote about hopelessness being worse than sickness was something Hershel really took to heart. There were just so many phenomenal scenes with Hershel: rolling out the dead and killing them out of sight, his conflict of views with the doctor, and so on. There isn't a character on the show more understanding than Hershel. He knew seeing Glenn would crush Maggie, so he made sure he didn't see her. While he would be the "hero" later on, I thought his most telling character moment was when he saved Sasha. Carol would have killed her right then and there, but Hershel isn't like that. He absolutely refused to give up on her, and as a result, she lived. Sasha said it herself: what Hershel did is what many would define as "stupid", and he did tons of "stupid" things in this episode. But if stupid is risking your own life to save others, then I certainly think Hershel wouldn't mind being labeled as such. Words really don't do Scott Wilson's performance justice. A showing like that is what wins people awards. While those around him made sure they weren't completely overshadowed (Steven Yeun, Sonequa Martin-Green), he gave the standout performance of the season so far for ANY actor. It wasn't just him that made this "Hershel episode" so special, it was the writing. The writing was superb throughout, and honestly it was the best all season, which is really saying something considering I have said this is the most well-written season thus far. Every single line was not only pertinent, but deep and meaningful. Before the first shot was even fired this was shaping up to be the season's best episode.......continued at http://www.ign.com/blogs/ao66