Remember

Despite reservations as to whether it would appeal to me, 'The Walking Dead' though was one of those gradually getting through the episodes over-time experiences. At its best though it proved to be extremely addictive viewing for Seasons 1-5 and in its prime was a brilliant show. Was disappointed though generally by Seasons 7 and 8, which made it feel like a different show, which is a real shame.

To me, the first half of Season 5 ranged from good to outstanding from personal opinion, the first three episodes especially making for one of the best and more consistent starts of any season for the show. There were episodes that others didn't like or had a divisive critical reception/fan reaction but had a lot of fine merits still for me to still deem them solid enough while acknowledging the flaws. Actually feel overall that Season 5 was a solid season and that none of the previous Season 5 episodes were bad, but did find that between "Four Walls and a Roof" and "The Distance" some of the quality dipped and that momentum in some episodes slackened. "The Distance" was something of a return to form for 'The Walking Dead', "Remember" for me managed to be even better and is one of the season's best episodes.

A significant improvement here is the pace, which is much tighter here and in the previous episode "The Distance" than it was in some of the episodes between "Four Walls and a Roof" and "The Distance" and has much more urgency and like things are moving on. There is tension and poignancy and there is much more of a sense of things moving forward, the theme of civilisation is brilliantly handled and there is some great character development here. Particularly with Rick, Carl (the most interesting he's been in a long time) and especially Carol, a notable scene between the interview scene.

"Remember" is superbly made as one expects from 'The Walking Dead'. 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. The direction is controlled yet alert and the acting is never less than great, Andrew Lincoln and especially Melissa McBride being the standouts.

Writing is thought-provoking while also taut. Amidst the constant tension and emotion of the storytelling, it was also great to feel a sense of hope and that a new direction seems to be starting to form. The introduction of Alexandria fascinated and riveted, and so far there is so much more of a community and civilisation than there was with Season 3's Woodbury, which other reviewers have picked up upon.

Summing up, wonderful and well worth remembering. 10/10

The group are introduced to Alexandria's leader Deanna Monroe one by one. In their "auditions", each shares memories, or sometimes lie to her, concerning life outside the town's walls.

The group is accepted into the community. All work hard to adjust to the Alexandria lifestyle, a daily routine which is far more relaxed than they have become used to. They meet other residents of the community, such as Enid, another survivor who recently became a resident. There is also Deanna's family, as well as many others, such as Jessie Anderson and her husband Pete and sons Ron and Sam.

Some of the group get jobs within the community: Carol becomes a cook, Rick and Michonne are town constables, and Glenn and Tara join the supply runners. Glenn is disturbed to see how inadequate and naive the other runners are when it comes to walkers.

At his new house, Rick tells Carol and Daryl his concerns for the community. They decide that if the people there can't handle the realities of maintaining security, their group will be forced to take over Alexandria.

"Remember" is a poignant and introspective episode that not only explores the group's integration into Alexandria but also delves into the theme of identity. As the group is given jobs and homes within the community, they are forced to confront who they are and what they have become in order to survive.

Rick's struggle to adapt to his new role as a constable and his reluctance to let go of his instincts as a survivor highlight the challenges of fitting into a society that operates by different rules. The episode's exploration of identity and assimilation adds emotional depth to the characters' experiences and underscores their resilience in the face of change. Additionally, the episode's ending, where the group attends a welcoming party and tries to blend in with the residents, highlights the complexities of their new lives and the challenges of building a new future in an uncertain world.

After a long wait, the story writers made a move by transferring our characters from wild to a decent place.

The trust issues haven't grown thin, but the characters looking at the kids and other settled people in the community not only feel re- assured but also think the place might make them weaker due to lack of exposure.

The episode didn't have full on zombie shots, fights or long boring conversations. It's about moments between Rick and Carl, Daryl with himself and everyone trying to blend in and how things work in the community. IT'S ALL ABOUT SURVIVAL Because that's what gelled our characters together, not comfort. This marks the essence of this episode.

We have seen one whole season in the PRISON, one whole season in a community. We definitely don't want things to settle here in this place though. Somewhere around the corner a big twist awaits us.

A better episode after so long.

SPOILERS BELOW

Rick gets a hair cut and shaves his beard. You feel lighter watching that scene.

Rick and 'family' enter Alexandria.

This is a welcome break for the characters, but it nicely plants a few seeds for what is likely to be more drama later down the line.

The characters of The Walking Dead have been depicted to have gone through hell and you feel their relief at the comforts found at Alexandria. At the same time this episode does a brilliant job of making it all feel quiet alien, unsettling, and that something sinister either lies beneath the surface or is heading their way. This might possibly be something of their own making, but who knows at this stage.

This show has always done a great job of depicting what the world would be like if you take most of its social constructions away. 'Remember' puts some of the basic ones back in place, but they feel very fragile and, like the characters, you are on edge waiting for something to go wrong.

Some of the characters have memorable moments such as Rick cleaning himself up, Daryl not, Carl processing 'normal' teenage life, and Glenn's punch. My favourite by some distance is Carol's interview, which was absolutely hilarious and brilliantly delivered by Melissa McBride.

A change of setting and dynamic is needed at this point in the overarching narrative and so far this looks to be a good move by the writers.

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

Once in Alexandria, Rick and the survivors are welcomed and interviewed by the local leader Deanna Monroe. She is a former politician from Ohio and records each interview. Then Aaron shows two beautiful mansions and offers them to the group. However they prefer to stay together in one of the houses. Part of the group befriends other people in the community, but Rick, Michonne, Carl, Daryl and Glenn are alert. Meanwhile Deanna finds jobs in the community for most of the survivors. Carl is introduced to an outsider, Enid, and when he sees her climbing the wall, he follows her. Rick decides to walk outside the wall and Glenn, Rosita and Noah are invited by Deanna's son Aiden and Nicholas to join them in a patrol outside the wall to seek supplies. However there is a friction between Aiden and Glenn and Deanna stops the quarrel; then she offers the policeman position to Rick and Michonne. Rick has a conversation with Daryl and he discloses his real intention in Alexandria.

"Remember" is a different episode of "The Walking Dead". Rick and the survivors have shower and Rick shaves his beard. The familial bond of the group is beautiful to see how connected they are. This episode raises good questions, such as who took Rick's weapon that was hidden. What was Enid doing outside the wall? Was she going to meet someone? Daryl is impressively alert but Rick's revelation of his true intention shows that he is near to cross the thin blurred live between those that are good and bad. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Remember"

Note: On 20 April 2016, I saw this show again.