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.
Season 3, as far as previous episodes go, has been very solid. "Arrow on the Doorpost" is another very episode to Season 3, after a hugely promising start to the season. Not as good as some other episodes and perhaps one of the lesser ones 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.
"Arrow on the Doorpost" is a little too heavy on the talk and other episodes do better at advancement and providing new information. Pacing could have been tighter in an episode that is action-light and more reliant on characterisation, an approach that the show actually did very well at this stage.
Like all the episodes of the show, "Arrow on the Doorpost" 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 use of "Warm Shadow" is effective.
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.
Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story, where a lot happens and full of different strands without being confused or over-stuffed, 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. Am really appreciating the season continuing to give stronger development to Andrea regardless of whether people like her or not. What holds "Arrow on the Doorpost" together though is the negotiation interaction between Rick and the Governor, intriguing and tension-filled.
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, as are Laurie Holden, David Morrisey and Norman Reedus.
Overall, very well done but is not going to be for all tastes. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Season 3, as far as previous episodes go, has been very solid. "Arrow on the Doorpost" is another very episode to Season 3, after a hugely promising start to the season. Not as good as some other episodes and perhaps one of the lesser ones 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.
"Arrow on the Doorpost" is a little too heavy on the talk and other episodes do better at advancement and providing new information. Pacing could have been tighter in an episode that is action-light and more reliant on characterisation, an approach that the show actually did very well at this stage.
Like all the episodes of the show, "Arrow on the Doorpost" 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 use of "Warm Shadow" is effective.
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.
Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story, where a lot happens and full of different strands without being confused or over-stuffed, 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. Am really appreciating the season continuing to give stronger development to Andrea regardless of whether people like her or not. What holds "Arrow on the Doorpost" together though is the negotiation interaction between Rick and the Governor, intriguing and tension-filled.
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, as are Laurie Holden, David Morrisey and Norman Reedus.
Overall, very well done but is not going to be for all tastes. 8/10 Bethany Cox