The Next World

This is the first episode of The Walking Dead to contain moments of... comedy? Sounds strange, doesn't it. Normally, after a tragic "event" episode like last week's, we take a couple episodes to wallow in everyone's sorrow. This time, we skip right over all the filler, get right to the part where things are getting back to normal. The episode isn't a comedy, there are very dark moments. But it provides some much needed rest. This could have easily been another filler episode where nothing much happens and it's thoroughly depressing throughout. But it wasn't. It it wasn't boring or depressing. The moments in it where you have fun work because they're coming right off of such a heavy episode, and you know it's going to get very dark again soon. To do this eye of the storm in a fun way is something rare for Walking Dead, and that's what this episode pulled off.

The episode's main features are an iconic new character from the comics and a surprising new relationship. These are both introduced very well. The plot with Spencer felt a little out of place in this episode, but it was fine. At the centre of the episode is Daryl and Rick on a road trip. I do have a couple of problems with the episode. The Spencer scenes and the Enid scenes felt a little flat. There was some very blatant product placement in one scene. And there were some common tropes re-used. But on the whole, this was a fun episode; something rare for Walking Dead. It's a good setup for things to come, and it doesn't just feel like filler.

Previous episode was INSANE!! So this episode was a great breath of fresh air, giving us a more calm episode, that actually had some comedic and feel-good moments between characters!

This episode was not as eventfull but was instead carried by the moments between characters! I enjoyed the dynamics between Daryl and Rick! Its rare to just see these two together! Rick realising you had to band together and trust the people of Alexandria, was a great arc for him!

The episode also introduces Jesus which creates some of the most hilarious moments in the show! A nice change of tone to keep you from all the darkness in this world!

Alexandria is short of supplies and Rick and Daryl find a truck loaded of supplies in a storeroom. While driving back to Alexandria, they meet a stranger called Jesus that steals the truck from them. Rick and Daryl track him down and find him on the road with a flat tire. Carl and Enid go to the woods just to walk. Michonne sees Spencer sneaking out Alexandria with a shovel and she decides to go with him. Soon she learns what he is looking for.

"The Next World" is a reasonable episode of "The Walking Dead". Good to see that Carl has recovered from the shot on the face. Rick and Michonne together are kind of weird. The best moment is when Spencer finds Deanna. But the attitude toward Jesus is quite silly after retrieving the truck as well as bringing him to Alexandria. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "The Next World"

Note: On 24 April 2016, I saw this show again.

Rick and Daryl go on a supply run.

For me The Walking Dead (so far) is a very compelling and well made show, but due to the subject matter it is a stretch to say that I actually enjoy it. I experience it. This however, is a relatively calm and dare I say lighter episode than usual.

There is little bit of a time jump and some of the residents of Alexandra appear to be in a comparatively peaceful place which is satisfying to watch.

The scenes involving Rick and Daryl do have plot contrivances that portray the characters making stupid decisions. From the moment they make the big find, they should floor it back to Alexandria, stopping for nothing. However, what we see is humorous and entertaining enough to make me forgive the implausibility. I also enjoyed the awkward conversation between Denise and Daryl at the beginning very much.

For once I actually like an on screen romantic pairing. It works so much better in situations like this when characters have been through meaningful experiences together and the romance develops. Whether or not the writers will actually let it work out or doom it to a typically TWD miserable end, only time will tell, but it is a welcome break from all the death and brutality.

The other plot thread in the woods is fairly well done. Elements of it are a retread of previous themes involving Carl and his mother, but it leads on to more development for his character and another.

All actors are on great form, particularly Norman Reedus, Andrew Lincoln, and Danai Gurira.

As ever the cinematography and editing is spot on for the visual storytelling.

The first half of 'The Walking Dead's' Season 6 was rather inconsistent. The season started off brilliantly, with four superb episodes in a row. And then the season took a significant dip in quality with "Now", then improved step by step with the next three episodes before returning to disappointment with "Start to Finish". Luckily the episode starting off the second half saw a season and show return to form with one of its best episodes in a while in "No Way Out".

So after being blown away by "No Way Out", it was hard not to expect a lot of great things from the next episode "The Next World" (so this episode). Although this has a good deal to admire and it is still a more than worthwhile episode on its own terms, it was quite a big step down in comparison and had big potential to be even better. After such nail-biting intensity, it was interesting and appreciated to have a change of pace with a calmer and lighter episode. It mostly comes off well, but it is not completely successful.

It does have imperfections with the writing, which doesn't have the tautness seen in the episodes where 'The Walking Dead' is on top form. Some of it veers on awkward too, that may have been intentional but it went too far at times. Especially that for Denise and Eugene, the latter faring worst.

Not all the story works, some of it goes overboard on the silliness and the lapses in sense can frustrate, all cited in other reviews. Spencer's role to me didn't gel quite as well with the rest of the story/characters and didn't really serve much point.

Having said all of that, the production values in "The Next World", as usual with 'The Walking Dead' at this point, are top notch. The grit and audaciousness has not been lost. The music fits nicely and the direction lets the atmosphere and humour breathe while not losing the momentum too much. Most of the dialogue thought is thoughtful and the lighter tone was appreciated, and there are humorous moments light and dark that are genuinely amusing.

Most of the story also works quite well, the pace didn't feel meandering or anything despite the atmosphere being the complete opposite of the previous episode (quite a lot calmer). Personally didn't feel like it was too much of a filler episode and did feel that "The Next World" did a great job with the character relationships, not only are they interesting but there is a sense of advancement in story and characterisation and they also made sense. Most successful were Rick and Daryl, which had a lot of lovely moments, and Rick and Michonne, a lot of potential here. The acting is very good throughout, with the best performances coming from Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus, both excellent. As is Danai Gurira.

All in all, could have been a lot more but more than worthwhile still. 7/10