What Lies Ahead

Had heard nothing but great things about 'The Walking Dead' from friends and IMDb reviewers. It took a while to get round to watching, both from being busy and also not being sure whether it would be my cup of tea. Finally getting round to it a few years ago and slowly working my way through it, having had a very long to watch and review list, 'The Walking Dead' turned out to be very much my cup of tea and as good as the hype made it out to be, have found it extremely addictive.

"What Lies Ahead" is a terrific Season 2 opener that makes one highly anticipate the rest of the season. And a strong reminder of how Seasons 1-5 of 'The Walking Dead' to me were absolutely brilliant and seeing the show in its full glory days (Season 6 was uneven, Season 7 was a huge disappointment and am still debating whether to watch Season 8). It is as emotional, complex and as tense as one would expect , at the same time it has adrenaline and guts.

It still shocks me at how an intelligent, well-made (so much so that it is easy to mistake it for a film) show about zombies could be made when so many films have tried and failed abysmally to do so.

Like all the episodes of the show, "What Lies Ahead" is incredibly well made in the production values, with gritty and audacious production design, photography of almost cinematic quality, effects that look good, have soul and are not overused or abused and pretty frightening make-up that make the zombies even more terrifying. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but never being too intrusive.

The writing is intelligent and thought-provoking, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and already showing signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The more eventful scenes are thrilling and terrifying as well as uncompromising.

Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story and character building, that the pace is never dull or rushed and how quite daring the ending is. The highway sequence is particularly great in thrills and style.

My only complaint of "What Lies Ahead" actually is that it does contain a few sloppy lapses in continuity in comparison to the first season.

It's all thrilling and tautly paced without rushing through the more important parts. The world building is already stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric while the show throughout has been strongly acted. Andrew Lincoln is an excellent lead and Norman Reedus and Jeffrey DeMunn are especially up to his level.

Overall, terrific. 9/10 Bethany Cox

It's masterfully shot, relentless, and full of exceptional performances. But mostly, it's a pointedly human story and study; that's what makes the Season 2 opener of The Walking Dead such high caliber television.

I can't say the finale, TS-19, made me a The Walking Dead worshiper. Until a few months ago I wasn't even interested by season 2 but when the first news about it began to infect the Web my mind recalled the first had more ups than downs. Remembering how excellent Days Gone Bye and Guts were convinced me to plan a new session. The pilot second impact wasn't as dazzling as the first but I found the second episode as much as entertaining. In fact giving an other shot to season 1 changed my mind about episodes like Tell It to the Frogs because its six episodes worked really well as a whole. So What Lies Ahead slowly but surely became one of the first premieres in my line of sight.

Let's not procrastinate any longer, it was one hell of a first strike ! I read a news about some budget cuts but didn't really worry about the impact it could have on the show because less is more. From the frightening make-up to the different sets the production was just as great as before. It still lacked the creativity that made the pilot so mind blowing but there was something refreshing about the woods despite the fact that they could be infested by walkers. But the dead traffic jam sequence was by far my favorite. Its pace was almost frozen like in the worst nightmare, when seconds last minutes. Moreover I was surprised by what the characters did in general to survive because in the end it just made sense. Their behavior was just realistic, oscillating between pure reason and the wildest irrationality. Rick acts as a leader and tries to hide how confused and desperate he is in reality. Things couldn't be more tensed between Shane and Lori. In fact I slightly questioned Sarah Wayne Callis acting in season 1 but her speech to the group about Rick was convincing and was almost reminiscent of all these female warriors, like Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor, who have changed the way women are portrayed on TV or in movies. She still has a lot to do in order to at least play beneath their league but both the character and actress grew on me. It leads us to Andrea because Laurie Holden has already proved herself as a valuable survival asset, even if ironically she tried to suicide in the finale. Her little chat with Dale about gratitude, as he saved her life, raised the realism barrier even higher. Humans are complex creatures and The Walking Dead isn't shy when it comes to psychology !

Even Rick's decision to keep his son Carl with him for a rescue mission with Shane made sense. Of course the kid could quickly become a burden but if I was his father I would definitely want to keep my family close to me. It's specially true considering what we learned thanks to the young girl arc developed in this installment. It was almost like a fairytale. Overall their adventure was so immersive that there're moments I imagined myself as Rick. His mission with Daryl was intense and at some point I thought I would definitely trade a bag of shotguns for his stealthy crossbow. His headshot skill seems perfect and I can't remember him missing once ! Of course it's only fiction but Norman Reedus has so much charisma that you can't question his character ability. If the show was a video game, he would definitely be my first pick. Who would be yours ? Shane is also one of a kind because in the one hand he saved Rick's life but in the other, a sliced and decomposing one, he had a controversial affair with his wife and has acted like a man about to lose his mind since Wildfire. He's still not as dangerous as the zombies but his actions have become unpredictable and I seriously worry about the safety of Rick and his gang. I'm not sure he will put his plan in motion but his decision could have a dramatic impact on the group.

Last but not least I would like to take a few minutes to pray, yes because religion was also covered, and point out that so many innocent and pacific walkers were harmed during the filming. By the way is it me or are there recurring zombies ? I doubt it's a question of budget, more a fun decision to appeal the careful viewers. But to go back to my people, specially the poor souls in the church, so much hate is just unacceptable ! Seriously. Remember the butchery in Guts and how they had to dismantle a body ? Well What Lies Ahead featured a scene as disgusting and gory. And again I can't thank enough the dream team behind the show for not showing what was going on. It's left to our endless imagination, with the help of Andrew Lincoln's talent, and confirms that graphic violence isn't the most subtle and efficient way to scare an audience. Yes because from beginning to end the horror factor was marvelously balanced. Moreover it magnified the ending and its appearance was just divine.

Note : This review was first posted on Kritikenstein, my weblog.

The first episode of the second season of AMC's "The Walking Dead" shows no sign in a drop of quality.

The episode starts with Rick (Andrew Lincoln) talking into his Walkie Talkie leaving a message for Marcus who we last seen in the first episode of season one. He says they are leaving Atlanta and are heading to Fort Benning. There is a lot of drama when one if the children in the group goes missing, and we get a good shock ending that ensures you will be watching the next episode as soon as possible.

Melissa McBride as Carol is the star performer here, whilst Norman Reedus as Daryl and Lincoln do some bonding in some good scenes. Once again it's Jeffrey DeMunn as Dale who is the human conscience of the group.

The second season of "The Walking Dead," created by Frank Darabont, kicks off with "What Lies Ahead," an episode that sets a new tone for the series, steering it into darker and more emotionally complex territory. As the survivors leave Atlanta behind, hoping to find sanctuary from the walker-infested world, they encounter a graveyard of cars on a desolate highway, marking the beginning of their trials and tribulations.

This episode masterfully juxtaposes the eerie stillness of the world with the chaos lurking within and around the group. A significant portion of "What Lies Ahead" is dedicated to a harrowing scene where the survivors hide from a horde of walkers, a sequence that not only heightens the suspense but also delves deep into the characters' psyches, revealing their fears and resilience.

One of the most poignant moments in this episode is the search for Sophia, Carol's daughter, who goes missing during the walker encounter. The ensuing search operation in the woods not only serves as the primary plot but also acts as a catalyst for character development and group dynamics. Rick's leadership is tested, and the moral dilemmas faced by the group begin to surface, setting up overarching themes for the season.

Furthermore, "What Lies Ahead" brilliantly uses its setting - the eerie, walker-infested woods and the claustrophobic interiors of cars on the highway - to amplify the sense of dread and despair. The episode's climax, involving a walker attack and a gut-wrenching decision by Rick, encapsulates the series' exploration of moral ambiguity in a post-apocalyptic world. This moment, among others, underscores the harsh realities the characters must face, where survival often comes at a great personal cost.

In conclusion, the episode is a compelling blend of suspense, horror, and drama, effectively setting the stage for the season. It challenges the characters and viewers alike, asking profound questions about survival, humanity, and the sacrifices one must make in the face of unimaginable horror. "What Lies Ahead" not only delivers thrilling zombie action but also deepens the narrative's exploration of its characters, making it a standout episode that foreshadows the trials and tribulations to come.