Sunday, March 23, 2014

Glenn is More About Me than "Us" on "The Walking Dead:" A Television Review

Director: Greg Nicotero.

Writers: Robert Kirkman and Nichole Beattie.

Cast: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs and Danai Gurira.

Well, viewers have almost made it to the end of another season of "The Walking Dead." Epis. 15, titled "Us," is the second to last episode of the season and it mostly floundered for this viewer. Perhaps, one watcher might be becoming too jaded by the long journey to Terminus (even though there are ribs there). In this episode, three groups of survivors continued to head to the end of the tracks. Daryl (Norman Reedus) has found himself in bad company, while Glenn (Steven Yeun) finally reunites with Maggie (Lauren Cohan). Eugene (Josh McDermitt), the redneck scientist, promises salvation but this might be a very big white lie. "Us" was another character focused story, in which plot and action were relegated to the sidelines.

There were two major storylines in this episode and one minor. In the central story, Glenn is determined to reach Maggie. He even ventures into a rundown tunnel, full of walkers to find her. His fellow travellers are less determined to lose their lives. Eventually, Glenn meets Maggie and other survivors: Bob (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) and Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green). Later, they meet Mary at Terminus and this viewer is thinking this welcome will be less than friendly. Meanwhile, Daryl is with a new group of rednecks and they value life very little. One in their group is killed over an issue involving half a rabbit. Is a life worth so little? Daryl might want to search out greener pastures. The minor storyline involved Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his crew. They appeared in one scene, briefly. All of these characters will meet up at Terminus, in the next episode, "A."

Daryl's plotline involved arguments over rabbit meat. Daryl is travelling with a group of louts to Terminus. They value a simple set of rules, in which members must yell claimed whenever they want to keep something. This group of shady characters were introduced in the previous episode "Claimed." In this earlier episode, the gang was killing each other over sleeping arrangements. Their social order and approach to interactions has not improved much over several episodes. In "Us," one man is beaten and shot with arrows after wrongfully accusing Daryl of theft. Remember, there are no court of laws in the zombie apocalypse.

The major storyline was centered on Glenn reuniting with Maggie. Glenn leaves Abraham, Eugene and Rosita behind at the entrance to a dark train tunnel. The others find reason and travel around this deathtrap. Together, Glenn and Tara find a horde of zombies waiting for them and Glenn wants to push through. His foolhardiness is rewarded with a late rescue and a reunion with Maggie. The horror elements in this plotline seemed subdued and it was strange to see Tara and Glenn chatting it up in the middle of such a dangerous environment. Horror elements, just like action elements, seem to be a sidebar to all of the characterizations.

All of these storylines will converge at Terminus, in the next episode. Hopefully, Epis. 16 should bring some much needed terror and conflict to the series. The previous episode, "The Grove," was a bloody one and of course, this episode was much more subdued. The up and down pacing in "The Walking Dead" is enough to make one want to jump ship. And, this show is not known for consistency in tone, nor pacing. "A" will need some much needed fireworks to bring viewers back for Seas. 5.

Overall, "Us" was a fairly tepid affair. The climax of the show involving Tara being trapped in the tunnel was over quickly. This scene created only mild tension. As well, horror elements in this scene were forgotten in favour of characterizations; this was a mistake. The cliffhanger ending was intriguing. Why were the doors open in Terminus? And, where is everyone? Something is amiss in Terminus and it will, hopefully, be interesting to find a surprise in this too-good-to-be-true locale. "Us" is another forgettable episode in the second half of Seas. 4.

There were few highlights in "Us." Two separate groups of survivors did reunite after the prison battle. More groups will come together at Terminus in the finale. This converging of storylines at Terminus should create some bloody action, but this viewer is hedging his bets. It will be curious to see how Rick deals with the crazy rednecks in this next episode and Mary will likely have a few surprises up her sleeve. A fiery finale is needed to close out this up and down season. This viewer is just trying not to get seasick after an episode like "Us."

Overall: 6.5 out of 10 (some minor conflicts, very little action and horror, talking about nonsense in a dark zombie infested tunnel? really?).

"The Walking Dead" at the AMC:

"The Walking Dead" Official Website


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