Rick and the group cross paths with a mysterious priest and take shelter in his church, soon realizing that they're being hunted. Meanwhile, Daryl and Carol follow a lead to the whereabouts ... Read allRick and the group cross paths with a mysterious priest and take shelter in his church, soon realizing that they're being hunted. Meanwhile, Daryl and Carol follow a lead to the whereabouts of Beth.Rick and the group cross paths with a mysterious priest and take shelter in his church, soon realizing that they're being hunted. Meanwhile, Daryl and Carol follow a lead to the whereabouts of Beth.
- Beth Greene
- (credit only)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThere are 5 bible verses listed on the board when the group enters the church. They are: Romans 6:4 - We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Ezekiel 37:7 - So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. Matthew 27:52 - The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. Revelations 9:6 - During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. Luke 24:5 - In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead?"
- GoofsOn the path away from Terminus, Rick and Daryl whisper to each other that the group is being followed. Later (despite knowing Gabriel wasn't following them), the whole group is relaxed inside the church. Daryl and Carol just leave. Bob steps outside, oblivious to any danger. This would mean that Rick and Daryl not only never told the others about being followed, but apparently forgot all about it.
- Quotes
[Rick and the group find and meet Father Gabriel for the first time]
Rick Grimes: Do you have any weapons on you?
Father Gabriel Stokes: Do I look like I would have any weapons.
Sgt. Abraham Ford: We don't give two short and curlies what it looks like.
Father Gabriel Stokes: I have no weapons of any kind. The word of God is the only protection I need.
Daryl Dixon: Sure didn't look like it.
Father Gabriel Stokes: I called for help. Help came.
Rick Grimes: How many walkers have you killed?
Father Gabriel Stokes: Not any, actually.
Rick Grimes: Turn around. How many have you killed?
Father Gabriel Stokes: None.
Rick Grimes: Why?
Father Gabriel Stokes: Because the Lord abhors violence.
Rick Grimes: What have you done? We've all done something.
Father Gabriel Stokes: I'm a sinner. I sin almost every day. But those sins, I confess them to God, not strangers.
[Rick and the group stay weary of Father Gabriel and continue to move on]
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Walking Dead: The Journey So Far (2016)
"No Sanctuary" was an outstanding start to the fifth season and one of the show's finest season premieres, its acclaim more than justified. The exceptional quality doesn't let up in the second episode "Strangers", not as dark an episode as the season premiere but it is not really one of the "calm after the storm" episodes. It is again one of Season 5's very best, if not quite of the whole show like "No Sanctuary" was. It's a tense and gutsy kind of episode instead of the quieter, reflective and action-light kind of episode. 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.
Like all the episodes of the show, "Strangers" 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, not as talky as some of the previous episodes, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and shows signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The ending is deeply disturbing and wrenched the gut in how shocking it is, one of the show's most shocking. The action is thrilling and uncompromising, evoking real terror and intensity, the episode containing what is a strong contender for its most stomach-churning in a powerful way reveal.
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 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, there are far more interesting 'The Walking Dead' characters generally than Bob but he is interesting here and sent off gut-wrenchingly. Father Gabriel makes a hugely promising first impression, one of the episode's interest points.
Everything is nicely paced without rushing through the more important parts, much of it being very taut. The world building continues to be stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric, some of the best of the whole show in my opinion, while the show throughout has been strongly acted and "Strangers" is no exception.
Concluding, outstanding. 10/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 26, 2018
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD