Evolution

After all the action packed episodes or the character centered episodes, I never thought I would see something like this!

This really brought me back to the first season, where it focused more on the horror atmosphere, rather than gorry kills! I actually got chills watching this episode! I was scared and unnerwed cause I didn't know what to expect!

The setting and directing made for a truely chilling experience! The mist/fog and graveyard... Wow.. felt like a moderne take on "Night of the living Dead" where you don't what happens, until it happens!

The Walking Dead can still throw surprises at you after nine seasons, and this episode is the perfect example!

'The Walking Dead' "Evolution" (2019)

Opening thoughts: Will admit to not having high expectations at all for 'The Walking Dead's' Season 9. While really liking to loving Seasons 1-5 and finding a huge amount to admire about Season 6, Seasons 7 and 8 were really not up to standard and were huge disappointments (despite having some exceptions). Especially Season 8, where the worst episodes were pretty dreadful and where many of the episodes were mediocre or less. It felt like the show had lost its identity and what made it great in the early seasons, and this viewer really did feel that it was completely dead.

Most of the previous episodes of Season 9 though were absolutely great and felt like 'The Walking Dead' had returned to its roots, rediscovered what made it so good in the early seasons while also starting a new chapter. This feeling returns in the return to form that is "Evolution" and every bit as strongly as "Warning Signs". One of the best episodes of a surprisingly good season and has nothing wrong with it.

Good things: It is a very stylishly and atmospherically made episode, with no signs of self-indulgent gimmicks or showing off. The music is also full of atmosphere of the haunting and ominous kind, while also having emotion that is not spelled out. The more action-oriented moments are thrilling, suspense laden and well-choreographed with little coming over as ridiculous or chaotic.

Furthermore, the massive improvement in the writing obvious in the previous episodes carries over here too. The previous two seasons had a lot of (too much) extraneous talk, long winded-ness and soap-opera, and none of that is here in a tight and thoughtful script that treats the viewer with respect. The story absorbs throughout, even when not fast paced it never felt dull and nothing for me felt confusing or over silly, a lot of it was also very tense and suspenseful in a chilling way. Have seen the new threat the Whispers criticised as a retread, personally didn't feel that and found them appropriately ghoulish. It also does well advancing events and building on them, no going backwards here.

None of the characters frustrated me, with none of the intelligence insultingly ridiculous and vague decision makings and motivations that plagued too much of Season 7 and nearly all of Season 8. These past episodes have seen me connect to all the characters for the first time since the first half of Season 6. The acting is excellent all round.

Closing thoughts: Overall, outstanding.

10/10.

I'm writing this in the most non spoiler way I can. The ending sequence in my opinion is one of my favorite moments in the entire series because not just the fight sequence but the suspense and horror vibe ending with a shocker.

Simply one of the best episodes in years since 7x01 or 5x01. I love Whisperers I'm loving this season.

I don't know if it's comic book cannon but this episode was chilling dude. Literally the first time since Rick bit that guys throat out in season 5 or whatever that my jaw hit the floor.