Indifference

Rick and Carol go on a supply run whilst Daryl, Michonne, Tyreese and Bob continue the search for medication.

This is solid episode with excellent character development and a fairly surprising direction with for one individual.

I particularly enjoyed the writing and performances in the scenes involving Rick and Carol. A lot of thought appears to have gone into the actions of both characters and it feels plausible for each. The past histories and possible futures of both are clearly considered in the decisions the writers have these characters make. It feels like the damage and trauma experienced by both is having an affect on their states of mind. Carol is at the point of indifference and this is all portrayed well by her scenes with the two guest characters, her general outlooks on strength and leadership, and her line about the watch. Melissa McBride gives one of her best performances in this episode.

This theme is shared by the plot with the other away team. Numerous individuals are grappling with previous traumatic experiences that are causing quite self destructive behaviour and show indifference towards their own lives and others. It is presented relatively well in their interactions with each other but some of it feels quite forced and possibly to stretch out the drama, such as the scene with Bob and his bag. All actors in these scenes are also great, particularly Chad Coleman.

As ever the visuals and zombie effects are strong. I like the subtle aspects of the set design that make the environment look unkept, dilapidated and keeping with a zombie apocalypse. I hope it stays consistent and we see it getting slowly worse as the series goes on.

For me it's a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.

This episode jumps between two groups, scavenging for supplies and these episodes are notorious for bringing the main plot to a hold!

I think the storyline i enjoyed the most were the one with Rick and Carol, as Rick knows what Carol has done and tries to figure out what he should do with this information! He has not made any major decisions for a while, on his own, cause he was affraid of what he would become!

Therefore i see the end as an important moment for his character as he makes his first call on his own, without the groups concent, like we saw in the first half of season three! We even see the different look on his face!

Carol has also changed a lot and I am excited to see where her character goes!

The other groups adventure were fine too with a bit of tension and more focus on Tyrese!

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.

"30 Days Without an Accident" was a hugely promising start to Season 4 after a not terrible but disappointing Season 3 finale. The season's second episode "Infected" was even better, a return to the tense and gutsy kind of episodes instead of the quieter action-light kind of episode. "Isolation" was quieter but still great. "Indifference" is another quieter/lighter episode rather than the gutsy adrenaline-rush of other episodes, and lacks other episodes's tautness but it is still a very well done episode that handles this approach well. It is yet again 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 a thought-provoking episode with some tension and emotion, though these two are stronger in previous and later episodes.

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.

My only complaints of "Indifference" were that it occasionally did drag a little in the more talk-heavy scenes and the way Carol was written does take some getting used to.

Like all the episodes of the show, "Indifference" 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. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but never being too intrusive.

The writing is intelligent and thought-provoking, a bit heavy on the talk at times but intrigues still, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and shows signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The more eventful parts are thrilling and terrifying as well as uncompromising.

Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story, where there is never the mistake of being confused or over-stuffed, and character building, which the episode has a bigger emphasis on, and that the pace is rarely dull or rushed, with a taut intensity in the more tense parts. The character writing and the character interactions are what is particularly great here, like with Rick and Carol. Michonne is not as interesting as in previous episodes though, a bit bland.

Everything is nicely paced without rushing through the more important parts, not exactly taut but not dull. The world building is already stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric while the show throughout has been strongly acted, especially in this episode Andrew Lincoln and Melissa McBride, both superb.

In summary, very well done though may not work for everybody. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Pretty much the most lackluster episode thus far. I think we all get the point. Ish is rough. Moral dilemmas. Ethical dilemmas. More dilemmas. Some dilemmas pose a dilemma. People die. Other people cry. Who is gonna save who, who will get left behind, who won't, who will care about that, who will not, how will this affect the others. How long will it take before they start realizing the world is now mainly inhabited by American politici.. I mean; the undead? What's the point in keep pointing out the already obvious point? Personally I started this show thinking 'AWESOOOOME!', now I'm thinking 'Yeah yeah, been there done that, freshen this story up please'. Let's (literally) see what happens. If anything..

Rick and Carol set out on a supply run, leading to a series of events that challenge their relationship and their moral compasses. Carol's decision to k*ll two sick survivors to prevent the spread of the virus shocks Rick and the audience, highlighting the lengths people will go to survive. The episode ends with Rick banishing Carol from the group, further fracturing their already fragile community. The episode also explores themes of guilt and redemption, as both Rick and Carol grapple with the consequences of their actions.

The title of the episode refers to how Carol's indifference towards survivors dying and the general situation they are all in, as seen when Ana is being eaten and later commented on how "It was a nice watch" when Sam failed to show up to accompany them to the prison, thus losing Rick's watch that he had on. The episode is seen as a transitional stage for the development of Carol, having become cold and making difficult decisions to survive, ultimately causing Rick to feel unsafe and thus, he exiles her. It also distinguishes the differences between Rick and Carol: Rick stepping down from leadership to take on farming and living a peaceful life, while Carol steps up to make the decisions others are afraid of making.