I wasn’t really paying much attention for a while but this season really did spin round About time !!
Remember when you where excited about every new episode?
Good old times….
[7.9/10] I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it a million times. TWD is better when everyone just shuts the hell up. The dialogue in this show so rough, the performances so hot-and-cold, that I forget how great the series can be when it relies on its pure visual stylism.
The flashiest part of that is Beta’s attack on Alexandria, and it’s a hell of a set piece! I bristled a bit when they made him seem weirdly unstoppable against Daryl last season, but I actually love making him Michael Myers here. The way the show mostly proceeds in silence, and shows Beta taking an overconfident group of allied survivors is creepy as hell. His skirmishes with the major characters (so long random Savior lieutenant!) are a little more contrived, but even there, the show adds some tension and suspense that’s been hard to find elsewhere.
But even outside of that ominous, genuinely frightening setup, the show does some really cool cinematography here. There’s a number of interesting top-down shots (did the show just get a camera drone or something), a series of cool point of view shots (for Daryl in particular), and even some impressionsitic close-ups as Alpha thinks she’s dying. I regret to say that I’m not previously familiar with director Bronwen Hughes or her work, but if this episode is any indication (along with the season 5 premiere of Better Call Saul), she’s someone to watch.
There’s also some solid thematic material here. The show does a lot with the idea of mothers or at least maternal figures and children. Rosita is largely motivated by the desire to protect Coco, and the way the show sets up her fear of the Whisperers hurting her after what happened with Siddiq, only for her to stand up to Beta, is good work.
Gamma (aka Mary), earns her sympathies largely for admitting her pain at the fact that she killed her sister and let a child be taken because she was loyal to Alpha, breaking the sanctity of that relationship. She earns her place by helping to defend Judith and R.J. in a mama bear sort of way. And her name is literally Mary, arguably the most famous mother in Western Civilization. It’s a little muddled in places, but it works (and as someone who grew up thinking American Beauty was a great film, despite its later diminished reputation, it’s great to see that Thora Birch really can act!)
Last but not least you have Alpha, whose twisted motherly relationship with Lydia has long been a theme on the show. Theoretically, there’s something interesting there, particularly when Alpha’s offended, to the point of murderous intent, at Daryl’s declaration that she doesn't love Lydia. But that’s reinforced when Lydia rejects her, being unwilling to kill her mother when the time comes, returning to this scene to save her mom’s attacker, and declaring that she doesn't want to lead the Whisperers or have any part of his mother’s ways. Samantha Morton hams it up as usual, but there’s at least some potency to the idea of her being stronger and more dangerous now that her connection to her daughter is severed, the fear or reality of which is something that’s motivated others in the episode.
The other major theme in the episode is the usual “are we human beings or are we monsters...or possibly dancers?” shtick. It’s fine enough, and Gamma’s a good enough vessel for it, but it’s just been done to death on this show (no pun intended) to the point that I just have little interest anymore.
That said, when the show does go dialogue-heavy, it’s still not very good. As mentioned, Alpha’s monologue is over the top and unconvincing as usual. Rosita and Gabriel’s spat is somehow both cheesy and flat. And the less said about Judith’s “you don’t look like a monster to me” conversation with Gamma, the better.
Not all the visual stuff is perfect either. While the zombie design is cool, Daryl and Alpha’ fight feels really convenient, and the whole situation is contrived. But I suppose if I had a nickel for every character who probably should have died on this show only to survive because they’re too important for the plot and/or fanbase, I could afford to make effects that look this good.
Overall, this is an improvement to be sure, especially when it focuses on Beta’s super engrossing, silent, but scary rampage, and squeezes some good stuff out of Mary/Gamma, but falters more when it sinks into the same stolid dialogue that always brings down the show.
Really good episode and much better than the previous one. This episode was a nice build up for future events proving once again that the Whisperers are a worthy and smart enemy. Beta is a great character to watch and I hope we'll see more of him and preferably less of Alpha, who at this point is number one on my 'to kill off' list.
In all honesty though... both Alpha and Beta came close to death this episode. I understand why Lydia wouldn't want to kill her mother, after everything it is still her mother. Daryl was in no state to kill her and he was lucky that Alpha is a fan of games because she could've killed him with that shotgun at least twice. I also strongly feel that Carol should be the one to off Alpha once and for all.
Beta could've been killed by the neck-tattoo lady... she had him pinned down and could've used the element of surprise that she had to kill him. I don't understand why they are still so hesitant. They want to maintain a sense of humanity but when it comes to Alpha and Beta they should know better. When an intruder comes into the camp and kills people off left and right it seems fair play.
How the f*** can you seriously rate this episode higher than a 7? A 7 is even stretching it, but a 10? Just don't. You wouldn't know quality TV if it played on a screen in front of you. I remember getting so excited for a new episode, with my full attention captivated for the duration. Now I just put it on in the background while doing something else. This show has become worthless noise.
the music in this though!
It’s not even worth commenting anymore... skip
Well that was a big waste of time - watching this S....
What was this ? This episode kiled TWD
Alpha is quite possibly the worst character in television. Every scene she's in is dragged down. Terrible.
Stupid boring as episode. They have ruined this show.
Only one thing to say wtf ....... what was this fight with daryl so silly also the blood vision this was the worst episode ever.
The part with judith was nice but sure only one shot in the chest and no headshot also stupid.
And they have now a tunnel to the Camp sure why not .......
yess gabriel!! be ruthless :smirk_cat:
judith shot beta!!! man, i really thought she’d kill him or atleast get close.
Gabriel was savage in this episode & I like it. And Beta :shushing_face: coming out from the grave like that & kills the people it was so horrifying:fearful:, it was like a horror movie scene. All this happen because of Dante even after he's dead still he's causing problems :tired_face:. It was sad that Laura (Savior Girl) is dead. Darly & Alpha fight was Amazing, Judith taking to Mary (Gamma) was so cute and Shooting Beta through the door was Bada**. I rated this episode [9.1/10]
Gamma : "Go, Go ! Fast !"
Also Gamma : takes a slow peek
I laughed so hard.
That bitch Alpha will probably not die. What the hell does it take. I assume the big giant is also find and dandy. Daryl should have died because of his recklessness but I'm am also glad he was saved by the daughter. I wonder if Negan is a 'double agent' or if he really has joined the whisperers.
Samantha Morton is one of the best things to happen to TWD in a long time.
Ryan Hurst took Beta to creepier heights in this episode. The whole scene with him descending upon Alexandria was pretty effective.
Great episode.
Dumb for them to automatically think Mary isn’t the Aunt of the baby.
This episode is very intense !
I loved it
Since 9th grade, Greek letters always gave me the creeps.
Thanks TWD for making it even more obvious that tough sh¡t always stalking where the Greek letters are...
More on this episode:
• Blood loss is really just a minor injury.
• Bulcky armored walker is still just a muscle less walker.
• Call of Duty 2 red eye vision when critically injured is chique again.
• Dog . Where the F is he?
• "Do you feel lucky? Punk" Well, if your name is Beta and you got shot an inch beneath your throat with a Magnum... I guess you are.
• Lydia ex Machina everyone.
In conclusion: Friday the 13th - the return of bearded Jason
ch ch ch, ha ha ha, sh sh sh...
Best episode in a long time! A+
Shout by DarthBlockedParentSpoilers2022-12-02T08:46:28Z
I know i notice the tiny details too much lol but oml how can the show forget which way the mask was laying on the ground when gamma took off her mask one shot it’s facing her and another it’s facing away and another shot it’s in a different spot lol