What Happened and What's Going On

Rick, Glenn, Michonne, and Tyreese help Noah find his home.

This is a very bleak yet beautifully made episode with memorable character moments.

I cannot say much about plot details without spoiling except that the writers put the audience through another difficult experience.

It has excellent visual storytelling alongside a strong soundtrack. Both the music, dialogue and radio news broadcasts work very well. This is one of the best edited episodes in the show so far.

Other reviewers have mentioned certain plot contrivances that are valid points when you focus closely on the details of the action depicted. However, in the grand scheme of the messages and themes the writers put across when developing a specific character, for me it does not make much difference. It is the outcome for one individual that matters in this episode and everything that has led to it in so many previous episodes.

Incidentally, for those who enjoy the zombie action, this contains one of the best zombie fight sequences in the show so far. It is a rare instance when movie/tv actually uses slow motion well.

All performances are excellent as always, particularly Chad Coleman and Tyler James Williams.

I think that this is a good episode, even though it is pretty weird in the way it tells it's story.

Can't really say anything else because I would probably spoil it.

Admittedly it took me time to get round to watching 'The Walking Dead', despite the high recommendations. Despite reservations as to whether it would be my cup of tea, 'The Walking Dead' though was one of those gradually getting through the episodes over-time experiences but at its best it proved to be extremely addictive viewing for Seasons 1-5. Was disappointed generally by Seasons 7 and 8 which is a real shame.

The first half of Season 5 ranged from good to outstanding from personal opinion, there were episodes that others didn't like but had a lot of fine merits still for me while acknowledging the flaws. Found the mid-season finale "Coda" a very well done episode, if expecting a little more. Was also expecting more, and even more so, from the mid-season premiere "What Happened and What's Going On", which was an interesting and emotional episode and is certainly memorable, albeit it is not hard at all to see why its reception from fans, despite its critical acclaim from critics (Chad Coleman, the direction and the script particularly) is so love and hate.

Some of the pacing has been criticised and can understand why, do think that parts were a little slow in a quite narratively slight episode and the hallucinations while striking confused a little.

On a story level a lot does compel on the whole but it is not without its contrived and silly spots with some not so smart decision making and basic out of character mistakes (don't usually have this problem). The zombie action in particular, a big offender being with the zombie and Tyreese which was uncharacteristically sloppy.

There is a lot however that is terrific. "What Happened and What's Going On", like all the episodes before it, is superbly made. It has gritty and audacious production design, visuals that are well crafted and have soul rather than being overused and abused and photography of almost cinematic quality. The music is haunting and affecting, without being intrusive.

There is a lot of thought provoking writing and emotion. There is subtle tension and emotional power, and when it comes to 'The Walking Dead', "What Happened and What's Going On" is one of the boldest, with the symbolism and parallels, and most interesting from a thematic standpoint, handled with a lot of depth. Also appreciated it approaching the characters from a psychological standpoint, which Never do expect non-stop action from the show, though there are thrills on that front here and it is uncompromising, because it excels even more at world immersion. "What Happened and What's Going On" excels very well in this respect. Standout scenes were the foreshadowing opening montage, which already makes things interesting, and a generally emotionally powerful ending with a shocking twist. The character in question's (trying to avoid too many spoilers) exit is poignant if on the rushed side.

"What Happened and What's Going On's" direction and the acting all round ranges from very good to outstanding. The standout of the latter being Chad Coleman, truly superb in his best acting to date. He commands the screen brilliantly and moved me to tears in the latter stages.

Summarising, a love or hate it episode, liked but with some reservations by me. 7/10 Bethany Cox

I honestly thought this was a very well made episode in terms of music and direction! There were a lot of memorable scenes that were shot very well and really gave a different vibe, that brought us very close to life and death!

With all the death we have seen in this show, I think this episode handles that aspect in such a refreshing and natural way!

We got very close to tyresse in this episode, as he is confronted with his choices through hallucinations! This also reminded us of all those we have lost!

In this episode.. everything seems meaningless! No hope and no life! It really is about maintaining hope in a world where hope is taken from you!

This was one of the better episodes of the show and deserves the recognition!

OH.. and I just noticed "Wolves" sprayed on the wall..

That was something !!! What happened ?? and what is going on ?? The title says it all ..

Time line of the episode , the way it started, the way it ended , and the way events progressed throughout the episode , it all adds up to one hell of a dramatic experience to those who are not after this series for just the action and the visual effects ,

The Walking dead is much more than that ... it is about life and death , it is about surviving , it is about the human nature and how much it is weak in facing such horrors

This episode showed us how feelings can make us so vulnerable , though they are the thing that separate us from "the bad guys"

This episode showed us the self destructive internal struggle , the haunting past

This episode introduced us to what much much more horrors we are going to face in the up coming episodes...

One that showed us how directing is so powerful when it is done the right way

this episode with much simplicity showed us the most obscure fact in our lives , you got to find this out , i rate this episode 9/10