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.
Actually really liked Season 2, where the weakest episode ("Cherokee Rose") was very good still, but do share others' feelings about many episodes being on the talky side and moments of slowness. The previous Season 3 episodes to me were very good to brilliant, of which this episode "Clear" is one of the best. Not just of the season but of the whole show as well. And 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.
"Clear" may be smaller in scale in comparison to some of the previous Season 3 episodes and more focused on the character development and interaction. The good news is that this aspect is done exceptionally, the character interaction makes for some brilliant scenes that are suspenseful and emotional.
Like all the episodes of the show, "Clear" 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 still shows signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The climactic parts are thrilling.
Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story and character building. The human drama is balanced well with the more tense eventful scenes. Also that the pace is never dull or rushed, deliberate but tight. There is a lot of tension, while Michonne's character writing and development (in her most interesting appearance yet at this point of 'The Walking Dead') and the interactions between Rick and Morgan particularly shine. As well as Carl showing more maturity.
Everything is tautly paced without rushing through the more important parts and emotionally complex. The world building is stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric while the show throughout has been strongly acted. Andrew Lincoln is superb but it is Lennie James who gives the episode's best performance, tour-De-force is a perfect summing up.
Overall, a season and show high point. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Actually really liked Season 2, where the weakest episode ("Cherokee Rose") was very good still, but do share others' feelings about many episodes being on the talky side and moments of slowness. The previous Season 3 episodes to me were very good to brilliant, of which this episode "Clear" is one of the best. Not just of the season but of the whole show as well. And 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.
"Clear" may be smaller in scale in comparison to some of the previous Season 3 episodes and more focused on the character development and interaction. The good news is that this aspect is done exceptionally, the character interaction makes for some brilliant scenes that are suspenseful and emotional.
Like all the episodes of the show, "Clear" 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 still shows signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The climactic parts are thrilling.
Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story and character building. The human drama is balanced well with the more tense eventful scenes. Also that the pace is never dull or rushed, deliberate but tight. There is a lot of tension, while Michonne's character writing and development (in her most interesting appearance yet at this point of 'The Walking Dead') and the interactions between Rick and Morgan particularly shine. As well as Carl showing more maturity.
Everything is tautly paced without rushing through the more important parts and emotionally complex. The world building is stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric while the show throughout has been strongly acted. Andrew Lincoln is superb but it is Lennie James who gives the episode's best performance, tour-De-force is a perfect summing up.
Overall, a season and show high point. 10/10 Bethany Cox