The Walking Dead: Say the Word (2012)
Season 3, Episode 5
9/10
The parting of the ways
19 June 2018
Had heard nothing but great things about 'The Walking Dead' from friends and IMDb reviewers. It took a while to get round to watching, both from being busy and also not being sure whether it would be my cup of tea. Finally getting round to it a few years ago and slowly working my way through it, having had a very long to watch and review list, 'The Walking Dead' turned out to be very much my cup of tea and as good as the hype made it out to be, have found it extremely addictive.

"Say the Word" is another terrific episode to Season 3, after a hugely promising start to the season. Not as good as the brilliant first two episodes or the equally brilliant previous episode, but there is a lot to love. It is yet again a 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). It is as emotional, complex and as tense as one would expect, at the same time it has adrenaline and guts.

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.

My only complaint of "Say the Word" is that at times it is a little too heavy on the talk.

Like all the episodes of the show, "Say the Word" 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. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but never being too intrusive.

The writing generally is intelligent and thought-provoking, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and shows signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The more eventful parts are thrilling and terrifying as well as uncompromising.

Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story and character building, which the episode has a bigger emphasis on, and that the pace is rarely dull or rushed, if not as taut or edge of your seat as most of the previous episodes. The character writing and the character interactions are what is particularly great here, most striking with Rick, while the Governor is wonderfully mysterious and already interesting character and Merle is always great value

Everything is nicely 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. Andrew Lincoln is excellent as ever, while Michael Rooker and David Morrissey in support are especially good and Laurie Holden and Danai Guirira hold their own.

Overall, terrific. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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