Instead of full reviews for the second half of the second season for The Walking Dead, we’re going to simply provide the five most dominant thoughts on each episode from here on out. It’s easier that way, and frankly, we’re sort of running out of things to say about the show. The good news is, at least it’s now followed by Comic Book Men which makes it seem way better in comparison.
Check out after the jump to find my thoughts on the Season 2.5 premiere, titled “Nebraska.”
For the non-comic fans out there, Shane died at the end of the first arc. That makes it basically the end of the first season. Since then, he has increasingly become a caricature, with this episode him doing little more than emanate rage and act completely unreasonable. It’s like at his core is a fierce grasp on how he should act in this world (and he’s one of the few who gets it), but he is written as the biggest ahole on the planet which makes his character just awful to watch. I liked the idea of him being carried later into the show, but god, he is so one-dimensional and basely villainous.
2. So…Lori flipped her car…over a shark
For me, Lori flipping her car in this episode was pretty much the Walking Dead equivalent of the Fonz leaping over a beached shark. It wasn’t just that it was a stupid thing to happen (it was) or that it was far too predictable (it also was that), but the fact that her reasoning to go out there was flat and terribly illogical. “Oh, I need to go out and get Rick because we need Herschel, who he was already out getting.” Yeah, that makes sense. Forced drama was abundant in this episode.
3. Glenn and Maggie almost make this episode palatable
I loved the conversation where Rick and Glenn were in the car talking about how Maggie told Glenn she loved him. It was great because Rick was telling Glenn that the group needs more of that, more good things to happen to them. But really, it’s fitting because he could be talking about the show. It needs more good character work and charm and something besides forced drama. Thank god for Steven Yeun and Lauren Cohen.
4. I hope Daryl kills everyone
I loved when Lori goes to tell Daryl to go find Rick and he completely rejects her, telling her off while whittling a new arrow in the process. It was perfect because Daryl is the best blend between the old world and the new world. He gets the new world like Shane does, but he still has empathy in himself like Dale does. He’s getting increasingly tired of the horrible stupid that is everyone in his group. He also seems increasingly murderous. Here’s hoping he cleans house sooner rather than later.
5. The ending, as per usual, is by far the most interesting part
The ending with Rick, Glenn, Herschel and two new friends was an exciting and fascinating scene. The moral dilemma that Rick has to deal with (“do I reject these men like I am desperate for Herschel to not do to us?”), the underpinnings of every shared moment of conversation, the tension, the violence…it was all gripping and well-crafted drama. Which, you know, exists as basically the antithesis for the rest of the episode. My question is this: why can’t the rest of every episode be interesting like the ending?
