Director Michelle MacLaren puts the pedal to the metal with this second episode of the series. Former regular Glenn (Steven Yeun) makes his first appearance as he helps Rick out of that tight jam in the tank, and Rick is soon holing up with Glenn & other uninfected survivors in a shopping mall, as the walkers amass outside.
It's all about the forward pace here, as we are rarely allowed the opportunity to rest and catch our breath. The protagonists are always having to think their way out of situations. While 'Days Gone Bye' did its job in establishing the scenario and the characters, this episode wastes no time in putting people in peril.
And there are tensions within the group. Guest star Michael Rooker is another actor making his first series appearance here, as a trouble-making, volatile, racist hick named Merle. All of the acting is on point, though. Glenn proves himself to be VERY helpful, watching Ricks' predicament from his vantage point. Andrew Lincoln as Rick is the one who gets the bright idea of learning how to walk among walkers. Suffice it to say, it's not a method recommended for those with weak stomachs. The title of the episode is certainly appropriate. The sight of scores of these walkers (who are also repeatedly called "geeks" here) overrunning Atlanta is quite memorable: those streets are PACKED.
Good fun, overall, with a running time that is pretty succinct (45 minutes, all told) if you're watching this on DVD or Blu, and the commercial breaks are removed.
Seven out of 10.
It's all about the forward pace here, as we are rarely allowed the opportunity to rest and catch our breath. The protagonists are always having to think their way out of situations. While 'Days Gone Bye' did its job in establishing the scenario and the characters, this episode wastes no time in putting people in peril.
And there are tensions within the group. Guest star Michael Rooker is another actor making his first series appearance here, as a trouble-making, volatile, racist hick named Merle. All of the acting is on point, though. Glenn proves himself to be VERY helpful, watching Ricks' predicament from his vantage point. Andrew Lincoln as Rick is the one who gets the bright idea of learning how to walk among walkers. Suffice it to say, it's not a method recommended for those with weak stomachs. The title of the episode is certainly appropriate. The sight of scores of these walkers (who are also repeatedly called "geeks" here) overrunning Atlanta is quite memorable: those streets are PACKED.
Good fun, overall, with a running time that is pretty succinct (45 minutes, all told) if you're watching this on DVD or Blu, and the commercial breaks are removed.
Seven out of 10.