Monday, February 10, 2014
Michael Allen
Writers: Robert Kirkman.
Cast: Andrew Lincoln, Chandler Riggs and Danai Gurira.
"After" was Epis. 9 of Seas. 4 of "The Walking Dead." This season returns from its mid-season break with a fairly toned down episode. In "After", Carl (Chandler Riggs) finds himself in a coming-of-age sequence. Meanwhile, Michonne (Danai Gurira) is dealing with family issues from the past. There were few horror elements in this outing as Epis. 9 took the time to familiarize audiences with the central characters. A character arc, involving Michonne, brought the most action. But, "After" was really the beginning of another build in the central story, which will bring most of the characters back together again.
The story began with the prison; but, this setting was forgotten by the end. Instead, much of "After" dealt with Carl and his ability to survive alone. His father, Rick (Andrew Lincoln), was in a coma, for much of the episode. And so, Carl searched about for supplies. He found a zombie dogpile, instead. But Carl made his way out of danger and through adolescence (in a few short minutes). Meanwhile, Michonne was dealing with her own troubles. A dream sequence filled in a few mysteries, with Michonne's previous family shown. This character chooses to leave her past behind as scene in a brutal action sequence, involving a group of zombies. This story's dual narrative focused on a couple of central characters and the pacing in this showing suffered.
"After" offered only a few horror elements. This is a horror series, after all. Yet, there was very little horrorfying atmosphere. There was lots of natural light and empty streets, where gloom and death should have been present. The most tension came from Carl's fight with three zombies. Still, the outcome was slightly predictable and Carl managed to escape this attack. The breaking of a zombie's arm and another fight in a confined space offered more excitement. But, "After" seemed to be less thrilling compared to recent previous episodes.
The pacing in this episode slowed down considerably compared to "Too Far Gone." "Too Far Gone" offered lots of action, explosions, character deaths and confrontation. "After" was more focused on character arcs and coming-of-age themes. Thus, the pacing in "After" seemed to slumber along. Still, this episode kept this viewer on his toes.
"After" is one step in a continuing build towards the finale, "A." It is likely that the writers of the show will begin to bring the central characters back together, after the compelling action at the prison. Future episodes will continue to offer a fractured narrative, with most of the survivors splintered into little groups. A new antagonist is likely to be introduced. The Governor (David Morrissey) is no longer a threat. And, this viewer is expecting the pacing in future episodes to build towards the end of the season.
"After" offered a few thrills in a new setting. Carl is now a man, after a few confrontations with zombies. And, Michonne has linked up with Rick, after a battle of her own. The few action elements here were hit and miss. Overall, this episode is one step in a continuing story arc, which hopefully develops over the next two episodes. The sequences here seemed a little slow for such a deadly environment.
Overall: 7 out of 10 (bringing characters together, a few action elements, one interesting theme of adolescence).
More on this showing can be found at the AMC:
"After" at the AMC
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