Hunted

The last two episodes were great, but this one not so much. Carol cried, Maggie was mad, Rosita looked confused, Magna has no expression....was the same old stuff, just a different title.

Not too much here. Just a reminder of what the show became to save money for other episodes. Half of the stuff and the plot taken away for no reason. Sometimes I wonder why I keep on watching...

The Reapers ambush Maggie's group in the woods, killing Cole and Duncan in the process; the group scatters. The following day, Maggie continues to be hunted by the Reapers, but later joins up with Negan and Alden, the latter of whom insists he is too injured to continue and requests to be left behind. Obeying Alden's wishes, Maggie and Negan continue on to retrieve supplies from a supply depot in Arbor Hills. Meanwhile, at Alexandria, Carol, Rosita, Magna, and Kelly retrieve some of the community's escaped horses. However, Carol is forced to slaughter one of them to provide food for the starving community.

In "Hunted," the eleventh season of "The Walking Dead" continues to explore the themes of survival, loss, and the resilience of human spirit amidst apocalyptic despair. This episode plunges viewers directly into the aftermath of a surprise attack by the Reapers, showcasing the series' penchant for high-stakes drama and its ability to humanize its characters amidst chaos.

The episode begins with a harrowing sequence as Maggie, Negan, and the rest of their group are ambushed in the woods. The chaos is palpable, the direction meticulous in its crafting of suspense and terror. Viewers are thrust into a desperate survival scenario that underscores the unpredictable and brutal nature of the world our characters inhabit. The Reapers, introduced as a mysterious and formidable force, are relentless in their pursuit, adding a new layer of external conflict that the survivors must navigate.

As the episode unfolds, the narrative focuses on the scattered survivors, each dealing with the immediate physical and psychological aftermath of the attack. Maggie's leadership and resolve are tested once again, revealing new layers to her character. Her interactions with Negan continue to be a highlight, as their complex relationship, marked by a shared history of loss and betrayal, evolves in unexpected ways. Their forced reliance on one another adds a compelling dynamic to the episode, enriching the show's exploration of themes such as forgiveness, redemption, and the moral gray areas of survival.

Meanwhile, the episode skillfully interweaves personal stories of grief and resilience. Carol, Kelly, Magna, and Rosita's subplot offers a poignant look at the emotional toll of the apocalypse. Their quest to recover the lost horses serves as a metaphor for the broader struggle to reclaim a sense of normalcy and purpose in a world overrun by death. The episode's concluding moments, with the group solemnly leading the horses back to Alexandria, serves as a powerful visual metaphor for hope amidst despair.

"Hunted" excels in its ability to balance intense action with character-driven drama. The episode's direction, combined with strong performances from the cast, particularly Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, elevates the narrative, engaging the audience's emotions and inviting reflection on the enduring human spirit. It's a testament to the show's continued relevance, proving that even in its eleventh season, "The Walking Dead" can still deliver compelling stories that resonate with viewers.

Acheron: Part 2 ended brilliantly, Eugene meeting Stephanie and the group are finally on their way to the Commonwealth. Meanwhile Maggie, Daryl and their group who're in search for supplies. They finally got out of the Metro and the tension between Maggie and Negan is still there but they connected in a way and found some respect for each other. But Maggie's mission team gets separated and hunted by the Reapers who made an appearance at the end of the episode. Episode 11.03 continues were the previous episode left off but the other storyline rests to make sure other cast members get some much needed screen time and it's of course the main character Carol whom along with Rosita, Magna and Kelly attempt to catch horses for Alexandria. The Safe-Zone which is slowly but surely getting rebuilt.

Frederick E. O. Toye is a new director for the show and he have done lots of incredible shows in the past and he did an amazing job at directing this episode which is titled "Hunted", great direction but I have to say that he knows how to make some truly visually stunning scenes, there are so many shots that are just breathtaking. The cinematography is perfect, the production design is brilliant. I think the writing was great, but you can't compare this episode to Acheron: Part 2 as they're so different. Whilst the tension, suspension and overall pacing was perfect in every way. This episode has one suspenseful arc that are engaging from start to finish, but Carol's arc is far from bad but the pacing hurts a bit. You can also say it was needed, because of how light hearted and hopeful it was instead of Maggie and company getting hunted by The Reapers whom I'm really liking and finding interesting.

Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan continue to amaze me with their performances, clearly showing that they are some of the best actors the show has to offer, the reason is of course that the episode revolves mostly around them in this episode. I love the road Gabriel is heading down and Seth Gilliam is portraying him perfectly as this darker and more ruthless priest who have lost his faith, it's something the show have building towards for many seasons now and Seth is killing it. After thinking on Melissa McBride's performance, it was actually great, her facial expressions said more than words ever could. Her character, Carol, had a really good scene that I don't want to spoil. I also want to praise Callan McAuliffe, not for doing the best performance, but for doing the character of Alden justice. He have been with the show since 2017 and the character haven't really changed that much but thanks to his acting you are able to see the mental health of him and you see how much he's hurting. Underrated performance and an underrated actor.

Hunted is a great episode but should have been solely focused on Maggie and Daryl, instead Daryl is only in the opening sequence. It was nice to see other characters get screen time and character development but in terms of episode and storytelling, it was a step backwards from the previous two superb episodes. It was unpredictable and suspenseful from start to finish, Maggie and Negan's storyline. Their dynamic and the tension between them are exactly how I wanted it to be and the quality drama it gives us is seriously incredible and entertaining. It's also very nice to see some call backs and Easter eggs in the dialogue from past events. The locations and how the characters are on the road gave me some S4 and 5 vibes.

In this episode the plot movement is slow while comparing the previous episodes and it shows how Alexandria is suffering without a real leader and powerful leader like Rick.