The Bridge
- Episode aired Oct 14, 2018
- TV-MA
- 45m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
9.1K
YOUR RATING
The communities join forces to restore a bridge that will facilitate communication and trade; someone is gravely injured at the construction site.The communities join forces to restore a bridge that will facilitate communication and trade; someone is gravely injured at the construction site.The communities join forces to restore a bridge that will facilitate communication and trade; someone is gravely injured at the construction site.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode takes place 35 days after the previous one. This is the first time in the series that a time jump this big takes place while not being a mid-season finale or season finale. In fact, more time has passed between these two episodes than between The Next World (2016) and Wrath (2018).
- GoofsAfter Daryl helps Aaron after the log falls, Daryl supports him as if it also fell on his leg. Aaron appears to be limping when the log only hit his left arm.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Talking Dead: A New Beginning (2018)
Featured review
Building bridges
The previous episode, the Season 9 opener "A New Beginning" vastly exceeded not particularly high expectations. It was a great return to 'The Walking Dead's' roots, felt like the show in its prime and was a great set up for a much needed new chapter. It also did a truly great job at correcting almost all the flaws that the previous two seasons had (the big disappointment had with Seasons 7 and 8 was the reason for expectations for Season 9 not being high).
As does this episode "The Bridge". It is another one of the best 'The Walking Dead' episodes in a long time, with the same numerous good things that "A New Beginning" had present here and even stronger. It does so well at following on from what was set up in that episode and building upon it and at being a character study. It is a slow burner but not in a bad way, some slow burners on the show didn't fare well but "The Bridge" worked because of the character development and the writing actually being good and more. In its own right as a 'The Walking Dead' episode and an episode for anything, it is wonderful.
Like "A New Beginning", there is the odd forced moment with Rick and Michonne's interaction being a little soapy. But again, absolutely nothing to the extent of badness and insulting as the worst of Seasons 7 and 8.
Everything else is wonderful. As said, the pacing takes its time but not in a way that's turgid or self-indulgent. To me though it did not feel dull at all, as there is a lot going on the character development, particularly for Justin and Aaron, and a good deal goes on without being bloated, all of it advancing without being filler. These past two episodes have honestly been the first time this viewer has connected properly to all the characters since the first half of Season 6 and rooted for them, and the new characters are showing a lot of potential. The action excites and is chillingly uncompromising, with actual suspense and no ridiculousness. As a foundation for future episodes, "The Bridge" triumphs, with everything intriguing and illuminating, also with plenty of emotional investment and tension. The ending is truly shocking as was the amputation.
Can't fault the acting, with Ross Marquand in particular giving a very powerful and emotional performance. It is a very stylishly and atmospherically made episode, with no signs of self indulgent gimmicks or showing off. The music is also full of atmosphere of the haunting and ominous kind, while also having emotion that is not spelled out.
Furthermore, the massive improvement in the writing obvious in "A New Beginning" carries over into "The Bridge". The previous two seasons had a lot of (too much) extraneous talk, long winded-ness and soap-opera, and none of that is here in a tight and thoughtful script that treats the viewer with respect. Shining particularly in the Rick and Negan conversation and the viewpoints of Maggie and Michonne, where both viewpoints were understandable. None of the characters frustrated me, with none of the intelligence insultingly ridiculous and vague decision makings and motivations that plagued too much of Season 7 and nearly all of Season 8. It feels fresh and like a new beginning, while also feeling like 'The Walking Dead' when in its prime, which felt like a distant memory for too long but had come back.
Overall, another excellent episode. 9/10.
As does this episode "The Bridge". It is another one of the best 'The Walking Dead' episodes in a long time, with the same numerous good things that "A New Beginning" had present here and even stronger. It does so well at following on from what was set up in that episode and building upon it and at being a character study. It is a slow burner but not in a bad way, some slow burners on the show didn't fare well but "The Bridge" worked because of the character development and the writing actually being good and more. In its own right as a 'The Walking Dead' episode and an episode for anything, it is wonderful.
Like "A New Beginning", there is the odd forced moment with Rick and Michonne's interaction being a little soapy. But again, absolutely nothing to the extent of badness and insulting as the worst of Seasons 7 and 8.
Everything else is wonderful. As said, the pacing takes its time but not in a way that's turgid or self-indulgent. To me though it did not feel dull at all, as there is a lot going on the character development, particularly for Justin and Aaron, and a good deal goes on without being bloated, all of it advancing without being filler. These past two episodes have honestly been the first time this viewer has connected properly to all the characters since the first half of Season 6 and rooted for them, and the new characters are showing a lot of potential. The action excites and is chillingly uncompromising, with actual suspense and no ridiculousness. As a foundation for future episodes, "The Bridge" triumphs, with everything intriguing and illuminating, also with plenty of emotional investment and tension. The ending is truly shocking as was the amputation.
Can't fault the acting, with Ross Marquand in particular giving a very powerful and emotional performance. It is a very stylishly and atmospherically made episode, with no signs of self indulgent gimmicks or showing off. The music is also full of atmosphere of the haunting and ominous kind, while also having emotion that is not spelled out.
Furthermore, the massive improvement in the writing obvious in "A New Beginning" carries over into "The Bridge". The previous two seasons had a lot of (too much) extraneous talk, long winded-ness and soap-opera, and none of that is here in a tight and thoughtful script that treats the viewer with respect. Shining particularly in the Rick and Negan conversation and the viewpoints of Maggie and Michonne, where both viewpoints were understandable. None of the characters frustrated me, with none of the intelligence insultingly ridiculous and vague decision makings and motivations that plagued too much of Season 7 and nearly all of Season 8. It feels fresh and like a new beginning, while also feeling like 'The Walking Dead' when in its prime, which felt like a distant memory for too long but had come back.
Overall, another excellent episode. 9/10.
helpful•90
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 9, 2023
Details
- Runtime45 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD
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