Chupacabra

This is the fifth episode of the second season of Walking Dead and I was impressed once again. It's still relatively light on the walker action, but human tensions begin to mount big time and it will be interesting to see how all of this is sorted out. This episode focuses on the characterization of Daryl and we there is a surprise in store here that has something to do with Daryl.

In this episode, "Chupacabra," tensions begin to increase as Herschel believes his guests are taking him for granted and he even warns his daughter not to associate with Glenn. Rick and Shane argues whether or not it's the right thing to keep searching for Sophia. Lori is deciding whether to tell Rick about her pregnancy. Finally, Daryl gets injured while searching for Sophia and suffers from hallucinations.

Overall, this is a very dramatic episode that is only intensified by this cliffhanger that came out of nowhere. It's clear now that the second season is better than the first season. Another excellent episode. I rate this episode 9/10.

Problems arise at the farm as the search for Sophia continues.

This is a strong episode with some good observations of humanity back to its primal state.

The plot is quite character-focussed and it shows the survivor group living on the farm and relations with Herschel becoming strained. There is an interesting theme about leadership and actions taken to ensure the survival of the group at odds with wellbeing of individuals. This is quite explicit in the introductory sequence that shows some destructive measures taken for what appears to be the survival of humanity. There is a great image in this scene where one of the regular characters watches but the other has to look away.

This theme is carried through the episode with the interactions between Shane and Rick and Shane and Lori. Also, the general division between the survivor group and Herschel appears (so far) to be based on Herschel's quite different outlook. This is highlighted well by the episode's slightly predictable but intriguing finish.

It is a good episode for Daryl who continues to be a compelling character. His determination to survive is shown as clearly as his compassion towards those who need help. One scene of him walking through a field injured and the reaction of the others is darkly funny.

Visually it is excellent as ever with a number scenes filmed and edited in a way that clearly tells the story. The scenes with Daryl are particularly well done, as is the dinner table sequence, and the intro.

All performances are great as always.

It's an 8.5/10 for me but I round upwards.

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.

"Cherokee Rose" was a slight disappointment, being the weakest of Season 2 up to this point and the weakest of the overall show up to this early stage. "Chupacabra" sees a step up in quality, the tension, guts, emotion and tautness much stronger and more frequent here. It is still 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 may lack a few of the things that made the previous episodes so great but there is plenty of what is particularly good about the show.

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.

Not a masterpiece as such. Some of the action at the Greene farm lags a bit and again slightly too heavy in talk.

Also am yet to be completely sold by Sarah Wayne Callies as Lori, she still doesn't have the presence or nuances of much of the rest of the cast.

Like all the episodes of the show, "Chupacabra" 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 walkers even more creepy. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but never being too intrusive.

The writing generally is intelligent and thought-provoking, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and continues to show signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The highlights here are the shocking ending and the character development for Daryl.

Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story and character building, which the episode has a bigger emphasis on.

The world building is still stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric while the show throughout has been strongly acted. Andrew Lincoln is an excellent lead, with an even better performance from Norman Reedus giving Daryl intensity and pathos.

To conclude, excellent. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Starting with a flashback to when Atlanta was overrun and everyone was getting evacuated, we see a scared and frightened Lori and a comforting Shane overlooking the firebombing of Atlanta. We pan back to current time. Everyone is more or less healed up and start a large organized effort the look for Sophia. Tensions with Rick and Shane escalating. Daryl ends up falling down a canyon and getting beat up pretty bad. He starts to hallucinate Merle talking to him and we get a very interesting conversation. Hershel voices his concerns to Maggie on how well her and Glenn start getting along. Daryl ends up showing back up to camp pretty injured and Andrea, mistaking him for a walker, ends up firing. Shane and Lori's pressing relationship reaches heights and Shane's mental deterioration is starting to show. When Glenn sets up him and Maggie's next meet he ends up making a terrible discovery in the barn.

This episode could have been perfect. It could have been among the best this series has to offer. This episodes shows the real constraints the show runners had with the budget. Scene's going on for a bit to long. Like Merle in the cannion. Repeated lines. The pacing is what tears this episode down for me. It's a really good episode that unfortunately has killer flaws.

"Chupacabra" delves into the harsh realities and challenges of survival, both from the walkers and the group's internal dynamics. This episode is particularly memorable for its focus on Daryl, who, while on a solo mission to find Sophia, endures a series of misfortunes that test his physical and emotional limits. The episode is a blend of intense survival action and deep character exploration, particularly of Daryl, whose hallucinations of his brother Merle provide insight into his conflicted feelings of loyalty, worth, and isolation.

The episode effectively uses Daryl's ordeal to explore themes of identity and self-worth. His hallucinations of Merle criticize him for his allegiance to the group that doesn't fully accept him, highlighting Daryl's internal struggle with his sense of belonging. This psychological depth adds layers to Daryl's character, making his journey not just a physical one, but an emotional and existential exploration as well.

"Chupacabra" also advances the overarching narrative concerning the group's tension with Hershel Greene over their presence on his farm and the discovery of walkers in his barn. The episode skillfully balances this larger story arc with the immediate drama of Daryl's plight and the ongoing search for Sophia, maintaining a compelling narrative pace.

Moreover, the episode's title, referencing the mythical creature that Daryl jokingly claims to have seen, serves as a metaphor for the elusive hope and the monsters - both human and otherwise - that the group faces. It highlights the blurred lines between myth and reality in a world where the unimaginable has become everyday.

In conclusion, "Chupacabra" is a standout episode that combines thrilling survival action with profound character study. It showcases the series' ability to explore complex themes such as identity, belonging, and the nature of humanity against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse. Daryl's character is given remarkable depth, and the episode's contribution to the season's narrative arcs ensures its importance within the series' continuity.