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 4 was very solid on the whole with as far as previous episodes go "Internship" and "Too Far Gone" being exceptional. Only "After" and rge previous episode "Still" disappointed somewhat, though for me neither were that bad, just not top 'The Walking Dead' standard. "Alone" is another quieter/lighter episode with some glimpses of the gutsy adrenaline-rush, it lacks other episodes's tautness but it is still a very well done episode that handles this approach well. 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 a thought-provoking episode with some tension and emotion, though these two are stronger in previous and later episodes.
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 complaints of "Alone" were that it at times does lag in momentum, episodes do a better job at advancing the story and moving things forward, and that Carol's decision making sometimes shows a frustrating lapse in logic.
Like all the episodes of the show, "Alone" 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 is intelligent and thought-provoking, a bit heavy on the talk at times but intrigues still, 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. Although it is the character development of Bob that "Alone" is most intriguing for, Beth's disappearance is handled in a tense fashion and the re-introduction of the marauders and of Joe is handled well as well.
Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story, where there is never the mistake of 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, with a taut intensity in the more tense parts. The character writing and the character interactions are what is particularly great here, Bob's development is one of the episode's interest points and one of its biggest strengths in that we learn a lot more about him and it's worth investing in.
Everything is nicely paced without rushing through the more important parts, not exactly taut but not dull. The world building is already stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric while the show throughout has been strongly acted, especially in this episode Norman Reedus and Lawrence Gilliard Jr.
In summary, very well done though may not work for everybody. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Season 4 was very solid on the whole with as far as previous episodes go "Internship" and "Too Far Gone" being exceptional. Only "After" and rge previous episode "Still" disappointed somewhat, though for me neither were that bad, just not top 'The Walking Dead' standard. "Alone" is another quieter/lighter episode with some glimpses of the gutsy adrenaline-rush, it lacks other episodes's tautness but it is still a very well done episode that handles this approach well. 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 a thought-provoking episode with some tension and emotion, though these two are stronger in previous and later episodes.
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 complaints of "Alone" were that it at times does lag in momentum, episodes do a better job at advancing the story and moving things forward, and that Carol's decision making sometimes shows a frustrating lapse in logic.
Like all the episodes of the show, "Alone" 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 is intelligent and thought-provoking, a bit heavy on the talk at times but intrigues still, 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. Although it is the character development of Bob that "Alone" is most intriguing for, Beth's disappearance is handled in a tense fashion and the re-introduction of the marauders and of Joe is handled well as well.
Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story, where there is never the mistake of 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, with a taut intensity in the more tense parts. The character writing and the character interactions are what is particularly great here, Bob's development is one of the episode's interest points and one of its biggest strengths in that we learn a lot more about him and it's worth investing in.
Everything is nicely paced without rushing through the more important parts, not exactly taut but not dull. The world building is already stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric while the show throughout has been strongly acted, especially in this episode Norman Reedus and Lawrence Gilliard Jr.
In summary, very well done though may not work for everybody. 8/10 Bethany Cox