Gone

Whilst the season premiere "Years" focused primarily on Rick Grimes, showing Michonne in dream sequences and in the final scene with her finding him in a great but unexpected scene, episode two "Gone" follows Michonne after her final episode in The Walking Dead where she saw caravans and a community moving to a different place but also the glimpse from the series finale.

The new cast and characters for this episode are; Matthew August Jeffers as Nat, Breeda Wool as Aiden, Andrew Bachelor as Bailey and Erin Anderson as Elle. These are all likable characters with each actor bringing good performances to the episode, with Michonne being the one at the front and center, it's just easy to see why you love her and Danai Gurira so much who portrays Michonne like no time have gone by.

The episode's premise: After Rick's sacrifice to save his group everyone believed he was gone apart from a couple of people who dedicated a long time to search for their friend.

This week's episode of TWD: The Ones Who Live "Gone" was directed by Bert & Bertie and written by Nana Nkweti & Channing Powell, the direction and visual storytelling were excellent, and the writing was incredible. Gimple is great at world building but honestly he can't really write realistic dialogue, here in this episode and these compelling writers, we get dialogue and conversations we don't want to end. Situations and scenes we don't want to end, all thanks to the writing and direction but also acting. Danai Gurira is such a compelling actress with large range, able to do different amounts of emotions throughout the episode whilst also having the charisma and the skill to lead an episode. Back to the direction and visual storytelling, Bert and Bertie contribute so much to these two episodes and I would have liked to see more of them on the show but I'm quite sure Michael Slovis will be terrific who'll direct the next two episodes (who have directed a few episodes of The Walking Dead and a couple of other well known shows).

The production design and art direction is terrific, so is the mise-en-scene and cinematography for the show. The increased budget makes for better production design and visual effects, overall making a better show in every department along with the actors. The episode is suspenseful from start to finish, the suspense hits high when the chlorine gas attack scene happens, making it terrifying and you truly sit on the edge of your seat throughout the rest of the episode. "Gone" is an episode of loss and of losing hope, like the episode before it. The episode is full of emotion and drama, with incredible acting and writing, along with some perfect direction from the Berts. With an episode like this, Danai Gurira have shown as expected that this is very much her show as much as Andrew Lincoln's, it's their and about the relationship between their characters. This was an incredible episode and I'm really looking forward to the next episode!

After such a powerful start to this new story that left me in disbelief and, sometimes, tears, I was sure they couldn't do any better than that.

I was sure that episode 2 would be slower and, overall, worse rated.

But boy, was I wrong.

This episode is on par with what was in ep. 1. Excellent character development that grow on you the minute they appear on the screen, powerful perfomances from the cast, a story that gallops with thunderbolt speed - this episode has it all.

To all those "professional journalists" who said that story was very slow in their reviews before the show was released - what is wrong with you? Consider changing you job, because it hurts to see such clueless people in a field where your opinion matters so much to viewers.

Before the show released, I was honestly afraid that it would be a bust. Luckily, there was no reason to be afraid. Yet another 10/10 episode. Bravo.

The Ones Who Live keeps the bar really high in terms of acting, storytelling, writing and plot progression. In her search for Rick, Michonne encounters allies and foes, but never gives up. Her heart on her sleeve, she has to make choices, and tragic consequences occur. Danai Gurira acted her ass off and continues to shine and to be one of the shining lights of TWD Universe. As she gets closer to Officer Friendly, she loses hope, but the destination is more than worth it. So many questions still. It's just the beginning. I can't wait to see where they bring the story in the upcoming episodes, but the solidity of the series so far is extremely encouraging.

Excellent episode about perserverance. Faith and courage goes a long way, i didn't want this episode to end, it was very cinematic for me as I was watching. Great build up, how can you not care about these characters in this second episode? The writing and acting from all involved had my heartbeating so fast. So far I'm all in for The Walking Dead The Ones Who Live. If we get this every week, this show will be a huge success just like The Walking Dead. Waiting patiently for the next episode. Give us more of this depth, character, action. And feelings And you will have a loyal viewer. Michonne 💙

First off, i've come to realise that almost everyone writing negative reviews is an absolute idiot. True story. (Except 1 person, made some very valid points I could not disagree with)

Do you not know what a "review" is? If all you have to say is based solely on comparison, then all you're giving is uneducated and ugly, bias laden narrative.

A review is of the subject matter and what is at hand. Not a constant bombardment of: "oh, but that had this in it" or "I didn't like that. Those people weren't as fun as the other people" waaah-aaaah!!! Give the baby its bottle.

If you are speaking in continuance, then its an unfinished topic. This is episodic. If you want to write a season/series review, wait until its over. If you can't appreciate what's in front of you and only want to complain that its something its not, Don't watch!

This episode shows us Michonne from more or less where we last saw her. New characters are introduced, and in true TWD fashion, we are gripped with emotion for certain characters (with some excellent delivery I might add, well done) and also in true TWD fashion, there is death.

To quote the great wrestler Sting (who also retired this night) "The only thing you know for sure, is that nothing is for sure". Truer words were never spoken. However I believe these exact words (perhaps rephrased) were literally spoken; by Robert Kirkman in an early Q&A in the comics several years... over a decade ago.

So if this is not keeping the authentic TWD fashion, I don't know what is.

I've seen people complaining that "this would never happen" or "its unrealistic and preposterous"... its the zombie apocalypse dude. Deal with it.

On a side note:

if you don't think that the government wouldn't have army bases set up, complete with choppers ready for battle, you're insane. Its already been happening the last 5 years. HOW'S THAT FOR IRONY!? These fools wouldn't survive Z. A. so their uneducated opinions have now officially and forever been rendered: Useless.

...

The long awaited reunion has arrived and the appreheniveness is only enhanced with the return of a familiar face. (Its not exactly a spoiler if I tell you whom. Unless you're so ignorant you don't pay attention to the opening credits. There's only 3 damn names!!!)

This is the monkey-wrench we have been awaiting and expecting. It makes me wonder if there truly will be a happy ending. I will definitely come back to this in the final episode. (That's called reference. Not comparison. Take notes here kids)

I was expecting this story to go a very different direction and it does feel like we are sucked a bit into TWD of old. But its new scenarios, new people, new obstacles to overcome.

I was however a little thrown off by the timeline. I realise there is a shift that occurs via a changeover (even though it *is* presented on screen) I was so caught up in what was going on that when it became "now" it felt as though it was juxtaposition and very little emphasis on change (or any for that matter) had occured during the alleged 5 year span of time.

This was a huge hinderance for me because NO separation was given between events, and it all seemed in sequence. You can't have an unexplained 5 year gap that ultimately resumes as though nothing had happened in-between.

Despite this, everything else seemed to go fairly well. Yes, they did not mince things and like the debut episode, kept it rolling. Again, I didn't even notice the time until it was over.

Another fantastic effort!

Also i'd be remiss if I didn't call out the fool crying this was a Michonne episode saying "we want Rick. We came for Rick". The series is about both characters. Please refrain from posting, commenting, or even watching at this point. You ARE The Walking Brain Dead!

Entertainment Value 9.5/10 Overall Rating 9.5/10

An excellent job on the editing except for that 1 instance that I can't ignore. Otherwise another fantastic effort and am excited to see where this goes.

Also happy that we get to see more of Lesley-Ann Brandt. She's been quite enjoyable in everything i've seen her in.