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 5 started off extremely well, brilliantly in fact. For me Season 5 had the most consistent start quality-wise, none of the previous seasons had equally brilliant first three episodes, that are up there with the most gutsy and powerful episodes of the show, like Season 5 did. 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.
The fourth episode "Slabtown" though disappointed somewhat while still having a number of good things. Feel the same about "Self Help" that followed. Like "Slabtown", "Self Help" is not as strong a reminder of most previous episodes 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 little better than "Slabtown" but after such a brilliant first three episodes, "Self Help" was a little bit of a let down although still a pretty good episode.
Certainly "Self Help" has a number of good things. It, like all the episodes before it, is superbly made. It has gritty and audacious production design, effects that are well crafted and have soul rather than being overused and abused and photography of almost cinematic quality. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but not being intrusive.
There are moments of thought provoking writing and emotion. The second half does intrigue and wrenches the gut, is very creepy, and the conclusion has power. There is some great character development for Abraham and Eugene (although it was clear from the outset he was not who he seemed it's the in what way is he not that does intrigue and is not too predictable), particularly the latter back when he was tolerable, even when focusing on fewer characters and the setting intrigues and gives the appropriate creeps. Really like Glenn and Maggie as characters and they were integrated well into the story, although the episode was mainly about providing development for Abraham and Eugene found myself more invested in the non-flashback scenes.
"Self Help" is directed with tautness and control on the most part and the acting, from particularly Michael Cudlitz, is not incredible or doesn't contain any tour-De-forces but is still good.
On the other hand, "Self Help" is another one of those episodes that lacks surprises and suspense, although the guts and tension when the episode gets going are there.
Also found that the episode didn't begin very promisingly, the first 15 minutes do lack momentum and drag badly.
Found myself very mixed on the flashbacks. They were absorbing, had emotional impact, and said a lot about the characters. Not all of them seemed very relevant though, and on the most part they are too short and the transitions can be abrupt and choppy which can cause confusion.
In conclusion, pretty good, just not mind-blowing. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Season 5 started off extremely well, brilliantly in fact. For me Season 5 had the most consistent start quality-wise, none of the previous seasons had equally brilliant first three episodes, that are up there with the most gutsy and powerful episodes of the show, like Season 5 did. 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.
The fourth episode "Slabtown" though disappointed somewhat while still having a number of good things. Feel the same about "Self Help" that followed. Like "Slabtown", "Self Help" is not as strong a reminder of most previous episodes 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 little better than "Slabtown" but after such a brilliant first three episodes, "Self Help" was a little bit of a let down although still a pretty good episode.
Certainly "Self Help" has a number of good things. It, like all the episodes before it, is superbly made. It has gritty and audacious production design, effects that are well crafted and have soul rather than being overused and abused and photography of almost cinematic quality. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but not being intrusive.
There are moments of thought provoking writing and emotion. The second half does intrigue and wrenches the gut, is very creepy, and the conclusion has power. There is some great character development for Abraham and Eugene (although it was clear from the outset he was not who he seemed it's the in what way is he not that does intrigue and is not too predictable), particularly the latter back when he was tolerable, even when focusing on fewer characters and the setting intrigues and gives the appropriate creeps. Really like Glenn and Maggie as characters and they were integrated well into the story, although the episode was mainly about providing development for Abraham and Eugene found myself more invested in the non-flashback scenes.
"Self Help" is directed with tautness and control on the most part and the acting, from particularly Michael Cudlitz, is not incredible or doesn't contain any tour-De-forces but is still good.
On the other hand, "Self Help" is another one of those episodes that lacks surprises and suspense, although the guts and tension when the episode gets going are there.
Also found that the episode didn't begin very promisingly, the first 15 minutes do lack momentum and drag badly.
Found myself very mixed on the flashbacks. They were absorbing, had emotional impact, and said a lot about the characters. Not all of them seemed very relevant though, and on the most part they are too short and the transitions can be abrupt and choppy which can cause confusion.
In conclusion, pretty good, just not mind-blowing. 7/10 Bethany Cox