Strangers

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.

"No Sanctuary" was an outstanding start to the fifth season and one of the show's finest season premieres, its acclaim more than justified. The exceptional quality doesn't let up in the second episode "Strangers", not as dark an episode as the season premiere but it is not really one of the "calm after the storm" episodes. It is again one of Season 5's very best, if not quite of the whole show like "No Sanctuary" was. It's a tense and gutsy kind of episode instead of the quieter, reflective and action-light kind of episode. 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 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, "Strangers" 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, not as talky as some of the previous episodes, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and shows signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The ending is deeply disturbing and wrenched the gut in how shocking it is, one of the show's most shocking. The action is thrilling and uncompromising, evoking real terror and intensity, the episode containing what is a strong contender for its most stomach-churning in a powerful way reveal.

Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story, where a lot happens and full of different strands without being confused or over-stuffed, and character building 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, there are far more interesting 'The Walking Dead' characters generally than Bob but he is interesting here and sent off gut-wrenchingly. Father Gabriel makes a hugely promising first impression, one of the episode's interest points.

Everything is nicely paced without rushing through the more important parts, much of it being very taut. The world building continues to be stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric, some of the best of the whole show in my opinion, while the show throughout has been strongly acted and "Strangers" is no exception.

Concluding, outstanding. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Having the season premiere out of the way , the show continues to go forward , in the best ways . Slight changes in shooting styles have made the episodes a tad bit more horrifying than before . The episode is starting to go more closer to the comics then ever, which is good . The episode had tense moments in it and zombies that looked frightening as he** , It sends down a blood curdling sensation , especially during the last 5 minutes .

Overall a great episode that'll send chills down your spine and brings big questions as to what the group will do next . Season 5 is going really well with just two episodes down. Let's hope they can keep this up for the coming episodes. Well written and well executed !

Normally, in a show like The Walking Dead, there is always a sort of reality check episode, usually being one that follows an absolutely amazing one. But Season 5 so far hasn't descended into the usual. No, 'Strangers' is a brilliant follow up to the awesome premier.

Now, 'Strangers' is much slower than the premier, but it's also a much more focused and concise episode, with an absolutely gut-churning cliffhanger that will excite the hell out of the comic book readers. A dark, intense atmosphere coupled with the solid progression of almost every character makes this episode quite engrossing.

Never has The Walking Dead raced out of the gates with this much polish and confidence. And thank God it is doing so, because if season 5 carries on this form, this could be the best season yet. 8.5/10

Don't trust anyone

"Strangers" is an episode which focuses more on the development of Rick and his group and how they no longer trust anyone. They meet a stranger called Gabriel who owns a Church and is heavily supplied with food. The question going through the whole episode is, Can they trust him?

The episode was not one of the action packed and thrilling episodes. It was all about how the group has transformed all through out the 5 seasons. With each enemy they face they grow less and less assured with each new person they meet. Rick understands that he has failed to protect his family before and thought they could have lived a peaceful life with the places they have stayed which have distanced them from the walkers, but as we already know it turns out that the living were the bigger threats. As the gang began to analyze who Gabriel was, it really showed how much they are dead serious and aren't playing around anymore. I was personally hooked with the conversations of each characters in the episode too. Carol and Darryl resumed their relationship even though Carol had done a murderous deed back at the prison. I found their dialogue together to be smart as they begin to cope with the changes that occurred ever since the prison. Seth Gilliam gave a fantastic performance as Father Gabriel. As the episode was running, I was not sure on my feelings whether to trust him or not which was a striking part for me in the episode. I expect to see more of him in the future. At the end of the day this was a well rounded episode that is definitely worth watching to get attached and inclined to the characters. As this season progresses we will be introduced to new more characters and strangers yet to be explored, and if Gabriel is just a starter then we are on for one hell of an amazing ride this Season.

With a interesting new character, a well developed group and a shocking ending that will definitely keep me waiting for the next episode. The Walking Dead at it's finest.

Verdict: 8.4/10

I love this show but not as much as my wife . Teresa Werber she would just die if she couldn't see Rick and the gang every time it is on she watches it lol. This year is the best yet and she says the best is yet to come lol. She also says not to be killing off her family!!!!!! Let us have our little blond back.Well we just love this show. We have been watching this show since it first aired. Its the best television show on in this century. Keep up the hard work it will be rewarded.We hope we can win the trip to see casting and filming live. My wife lost her leg to diabetes just last month and she said Now I am like Huersal. Do you know she crys every time one of the original group dies. well all I have to say is this show is the most original show you could have made. I think if this should happen today it would be exactly like this and we would be in this original group.