Tuesday, February 10, 2015

What I’m Watching: The Walking Dead (Mid-Season Premiere)


The Walking Dead: Season 5, Episode 9 “What Happened and What’s Going On” (B)

This show is back after a disheartening mid-season finale for the back half of its season, which is sure to present more meandering and brutality to come. As tends to be the case, minor characters only get to take the spotlight right before they’re about to leave. Tyreese took center stage here as the group made its way to the latest false safe haven, serving as a mentor figure for Noah, who was pretty devastated when he saw his community in ruins and had his breakdown before he walked into his house to find his entire family predictably turned into walkers. Most of the episode was a part of Tyreese’s fever dream, which managed to bring back a surprising number of dead faces, most notably and impressively David Morrisey’s Governor. It’s haunting to think about just how many people have died on this show who were central to the group and to the show’s mythology, and in this case they’re only the ones who interacted personally with Tyreese, most memorably Martin, who was even more haunting than the creepy young girls who Carol had to put down last season. It’s a shame that he didn’t make it, but what a way to go out. Rick seems more wearied than ever, and it’s going to take the cynical drive emanating most strongly from Glenn and Michonne to keep this train going. Maybe some temporary form of comforting sanctuary actually exists in D.C., but something tells me that won’t be the case.

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