The Walking Dead (AMC)

[Chaplin]

Because there's enough compelling storylines in the comics so there's no need to create this storyline. There is even one where Beth gets abducted. Just stick to that. Also, you think that these filler episodes were entertaining? you'd be in the minority. The comics are on going so there's no running out of material. There's really no need to create antagonists when there are plenty to go around already. Hell, the better thing to do was to at least dedicate an episode to Fr. Gabriel so we can see what happened with him(maybe they will, we don't know yet) instead of showing what happened with Abraham.

You forgot one thing:

Daryl isn't in the comics at all. Can't have one without the other. Ironic that a lot of people have Daryl as their favorite character and then complain the show doesn't follow the comics enough.

 

[Covert Rain]

This season has hit the skids. Started off really well. The first 3 episodes were compelling. Then, screech! Boring filler. Now there's only 2 episodes left before the mid season break. Looks like we're going to deal with the completely made up hospital/slavery ring, a storyline no one gives a crap about.

I don't care if it follows the comics one bit as long as the stories are good. My problem with the Hospital thing is it feels like "Woodbury" in many ways. So this feels regurgitated. I would have loved something more original or would have definitely preferred they spent more time on the TERMINUS storyline. TERMINUS was way more interesting versus this hospital thing.

I still think overall a decent season. The start was really good. I will reserve final judgment for the last two episodes.

 

[Chaplin]

I don't care if it follows the comics one bit as long as the stories are good. My problem with the Hospital thing is it feels like "Woodbury" in many ways. So this feels regurgitated. I would have loved something more original or would have definitely preferred they spent more time ton the TERMINUS story line. The TERMINUS storyline was way more interesting versus this hospital thing.

I still think overall a decent season. The start was really good. I will reserve final judgment for the last two episodes.

One of the problems with the show starting in season 2 was that they spent TOO much time on these storylines--having them get resolved so quickly is a refreshing change of pace. Literally.

 

[Covert Rain]

One of the problems with the show starting in season 2 was that they spent TOO much time on these storylines--having them get resolved so quickly is a refreshing change of pace. Literally.

I agree that they at times dragged on way too long. However, the problem with this approach is you better have something engaging to follow if you do. Though I didn't want them to spend all season in Terminus I felt like there was some untapped story there.

Bottom line is moving on quickly has the same net effect for me if you move on to something like this. I don't think the writers have figured it out yet.

 

[chickenhead]

Even I'll admit that this past arc has been a little disjointed with a lot of filler. A lot of the Carol flashbacks were unnecessary because we already knew what happened, and nothing *new* happened to her in those flashbacks.

I think what they ran into was the fact that they couldn't combine the Beth and Darryl/Carol episodes into one because it would be too condensed, yet there wasn't quite enough for two separate episodes. But even as they stand, I think they would have been better placed back-to-back with the Abraham episode as a break between now and (I assume) the group's assault on the hospital.

Hopefully they don't have another Abraham episode next week first.

 

[Phrazbit]

Hate to disagree with you but if people are watching for the gore then they're watching for the wrong reasons. The zombies are actually the McGuffin of the story(if I'm understanding the term correctly). The show is exactly character driven. It's about people in a distopian situation. As for losing characters, only 1 major character has been lost and that was Shane. All of the others who were killed off were minor characters including Lori. If Darryl were ever killed off, the ratings would take a hit.

I actually do agree about Darryl, he is easily the best character on the show. Virtually everyone besides him has had some insufferable stretches, but he has been a likeable and consistently portrayed character. If he died it would leave a serious void.

But I do think the ratings are what they are because of the setting and the constant potential for action. Just look how annoyed people get when the show does have episodes that focus on characterization and not battling zombies or less savory survivors.

 

[Bert]

This season has hit the skids. Started off really well. The first 3 episodes were compelling. Then, screech! Boring filler. Now there's only 2 episodes left before the mid season break. Looks like we're going to deal with the completely made up hospital/slavery ring, a storyline no one gives a crap about.

I totally agree. I just watched the latest episode and again, I struggled to even pay attention. All over the place, needless flashbacks, and we're starting to get real LordofTheRingsy here with scenes of people walking in silence for large stretches of time.

I am not in the group that wants this to be non stop action but I have found myself thinking; 'yes we have been over this dude, get to the freaking point already.'

This episode felt like nothing but filler they could have condensed into a 5 minute recap.

 

[Stout]

I totally agree. I just watched the latest episode and again, I struggled to even pay attention. All over the place, needless flashbacks, and we're starting to get real LordofTheRingsy here with scenes of people walking in silence for large stretches of time.

I am not in the group that wants this to be non stop action but I have found myself thinking; 'yes we have been over this dude, get to the freaking point already.'

This episode felt like nothing but filler they could have condensed into a 5 minute recap.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I totally agree. I just watched the latest episode and again, I struggled to even pay attention. All over the place, needless flashbacks, and we're starting to get real LordofTheRingsy here with scenes of people walking in silence for large stretches of time.

I am not in the group that wants this to be non stop action but I have found myself thinking; 'yes we have been over this dude, get to the freaking point already.'

This episode felt like nothing but filler they could have condensed into a 5 minute recap.

the show is getting gangbuster ratings, so it's hard for me to criticize, but it really does lack from a story-telling perspective.

there's only so many times any story can play the "the humans are scarier then the zombies" premise. and that's pretty much all the show is... our group encounters a new group of terrible people... they all split up... they all get back together and overcome the new group of terrible people. meanwhile, until the big showdown, pretty much not much will happen. there's no interpersonal relationship stuff going on.

 

[Chaplin]

the show is getting gangbuster ratings, so it's hard for me to criticize, but it really does lack from a story-telling perspective.

there's only so many times any story can play the "the humans are scarier then the zombies" premise. and that's pretty much all the show is... our group encounters a new group of terrible people... they all split up... they all get back together and overcome the new group of terrible people. meanwhile, until the big showdown, pretty much not much will happen. there's no interpersonal relationship stuff going on.

I disagree to a point. The entire reason for these slow eps where nothing happens is precisely to develop the interpersonal relationships! I don't think the writers are very good at it, but it's pretty clear that's exactly what these episodes are trying to be (and failing more often than not).

 

[Cheesebeef]

I disagree to a point. The entire reason for these slow eps where nothing happens is precisely to develop the interpersonal relationships! I don't think the writers are very good at it, but it's pretty clear that's exactly what these episodes are trying to be (and failing more often than not).

i think we're saying the same thing though. an entire episode of Carol and Daryl just walking around suffers from a huge problem... a lack of conflict. without conflict between people, there's no scene. and they've backed away time and time again from building conflict within the group. they tried to build a little between the red-head dude and rick, but it was just flat.

better example was the possible HUGE source of conflict between Carol and the guy from the wire (can't remember his name here) after she killed his girlfriend because of the plague. but rather then actually deal with that conflict, Rick banished her and when the wire guy found out (like a season later), he just forgave her.

 

[Chaplin]

i think we're saying the same thing though. an entire episode of Carol and Daryl just walking around suffers from a huge problem... a lack of conflict. without conflict between people, there's no scene. and they've backed away time and time again from building conflict within the group. they tried to build a little between the red-head dude and rick, but it was just flat.

better example was the possible HUGE source of conflict between Carol and the guy from the wire (can't remember his name here) after she killed his girlfriend because of the plague. but rather then actually deal with that conflict, Rick banished her and when the wire guy found out (like a season later), he just forgave her.

Yeah, you're probably right. These episodes only exist to "strengthen" the characters and their relationships with one another. But the writers are so bad at it, they come across as wasted opportunities. I have no doubt that any of these last 3 episodes could have been great with different writers.

Your example with Tyrese and Carol is a perfect example. The problem is that they've done a pretty good job with Carol, but an awful job with Tyrese, so almost any character interactions with him are going to be terrible.

 

[Cheesebeef]

good god... the season started so strong the first three episodes, only to be stuck in place like those zombies under the telephone pole ever since.

and was ANYONE surprised by what happened in that last scene? i mean, come on.

 

[cardfaninfl]

good god... the season started so strong the first three episodes, only to be stuck in place like those zombies under the telephone pole ever since.

and was ANYONE surprised by what happened in that last scene? i mean, come on.

Prior to the last scene, my teenaged son called it... almost exactly as it happened. Their cliched, recycled storytelling is becoming transparent. I'm out. I will probably binge watch at the end of the season, but the weekly disappointment is over.

How you can screw up zombies, a bad-ass chick with a katana, and a character that might be the greatest redneck invention since the motion-detector-talking-mounted-bass-fish... is beyond me.

 

[Chaplin]

good god... the season started so strong the first three episodes, only to be stuck in place like those zombies under the telephone pole ever since.

and was ANYONE surprised by what happened in that last scene? i mean, come on.

The writers are the worst they've ever been now. Even worse than the debacle that was the farm in Season 2. At least then we had Shane going nuts...

So many contrivances--a single telephone pole on top of like 4 bodies? How does that happen?

And outside of Rick and Daryl, the other true fighter of the group is left back at the church, presumably to protect Judith. But Tyrese couldn't do it? He'd been doing it for awhile, and honestly, he's too much of a wuss to do much of anything else anyway. Leaving Michonne at the church just seemed wasted. She didn't even speak one single word to Carl, just that moron priest.

 

[Bert]

The writers are the worst they've ever been now. Even worse than the debacle that was the farm in Season 2. At least then we had Shane going nuts...

So many contrivances--a single telephone pole on top of like 4 bodies? How does that happen?

And outside of Rick and Daryl, the other true fighter of the group is left back at the church, presumably to protect Judith. But Tyrese couldn't do it? He'd been doing it for awhile, and honestly, he's too much of a wuss to do much of anything else anyway. Leaving Michonne at the church just seemed wasted. She didn't even speak one single word to Carl, just that moron priest.

Yea I flipped about that too. Why possibly leave Michone, unless to protect Judith, and haven't we done a whole bunch of episodes about how Carl is crazy and can defend himself? Honestly it's like him and Rick have made zero progress in all the years of the show. These characters don't advance man...

Just like what cheese is saying about no conflict, it's like they stumble onto good conflicts on accident and then back out of it; just like last night...

Rick: here's my plan, KILL EVERYONE
Tyrese: no bro we can be peaceful double rainbows!
Rick: but... Ok

 

[Covert Rain]

The writers are the worst they've ever been now. Even worse than the debacle that was the farm in Season 2. At least then we had Shane going nuts...

So many contrivances--a single telephone pole on top of like 4 bodies? How does that happen?

And outside of Rick and Daryl, the other true fighter of the group is left back at the church, presumably to protect Judith. But Tyrese couldn't do it? He'd been doing it for awhile, and honestly, he's too much of a wuss to do much of anything else anyway. Leaving Michonne at the church just seemed wasted. She didn't even speak one single word to Carl, just that moron priest.

What do you mean?!?!? It's very feasible. I am sure they were trying to repair the line like these guys.

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[Chaplin]

Walking Dead could use a rhino and some hyenas...

It's not too late for them to be added to Z Nation!

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yea I flipped about that too. Why possibly leave Michone, unless to protect Judith, and haven't we done a whole bunch of episodes about how Carl is crazy and can defend himself? Honestly it's like him and Rick have made zero progress in all the years of the show. These characters don't advance man...

Just like what cheese is saying about no conflict, it's like they stumble onto good conflicts on accident and then back out of it; just like last night...

Rick: here's my plan, KILL EVERYONE
Tyrese: no bro we can be peaceful double rainbows!
Rick: but... Ok

on the Carl front, you KNOW the writers/producers are simply keeping that ridiculous hat on his head only because people HATE it.

 

[Stout]

on the Carl front, you KNOW the writers/producers are simply keeping that ridiculous hat on his head only because people HATE it.

+1

 

[NJCardFan]

on the Carl front, you KNOW the writers/producers are simply keeping that ridiculous hat on his head only because people HATE it.

No, it's because it's how he's portrayed in the comics:

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[Town Drunk]

They don't have to follow the comics to a t.

 

[Chaplin]

They don't have to follow the comics to a t.

And they haven't been. I don't think the hospital is in the comics at all, and everyone's favorite character isn't in the comics either.

 

[NJCardFan]

They don't have to follow the comics to a t.

They haven't been but there's nothing wrong with putting elements of the comics into the TV show? If there is then what's the point of the show if you're going to completely ignore the storyline that inspired the show? Just create a completely different show and call it something else.

 

[Bert]

And they haven't been. I don't think the hospital is in the comics at all, and everyone's favorite character isn't in the comics either.

Daryl?