“After” Review

Photo credit: comicbook.com

Moments right after the second prison assault. “Flashbacks” to past moments and past aspects. Only three main cast members featured in the entire episode (not including David Morrissey and Scott Wilson’s “appearance”), this should not be something new to WD viewers, as the same three main cast members (Andrew Lincoln, Chandler Riggs, Danai Gurira) were the only featured in “Clear” (guest starring Lennie James). The big difference between “After” and “Clear” was its overall impact. Not putting down “After”, but as is the case for not only this show, but any show for that matter, midseason premieres should hold the purpose for any regular season premiere or finale: Welcoming back. Given, those from TWD have already stated regarding this second half will be different from any point in the series. I can 100% believe that, it being more of a psychological thriller and for the better too. “After” was a good episode, just not “midseason premiere” good. It had quite a few good moments, stemming from Gurira’s performance as well as Riggs’. Starting with Gurira, she as Michonne, a pivotal, iconic character from the comics, put on one of her best performances. Michonne is a very quiet, independent person, although made connections with almost everyone in the group, but she keeps to herself. Here, we get to see her as who she really is. Before the poop hit the fan, she wasn’t a katana wielding, intimidating woman. She was the opposite: that is one of the positives to come out of that dream sequence, taking us back to who Michonne once was. I think from here, we’ll start seeing not only her personal side and true side, but her need for maybe not companionship, but just not simply being alone. In regards to Riggs, we really have seen him grow up so much as an actor, from starting off as that annoying kid Carl, always never in the house, to a young man, only focused on survival. With his superb acting, we have seen Carl become a key figure in this group. Right from the beginning of this episode, we see Carl already taking charge, leading his father away from the debris known previously as the prison. Given that Rick was just beaten up severely thanks to the Governor, I don’t think Carl necessarily led because he had to, but because it was instinct. Riggs’ acting took almost complete control of the episode, ranting to his father, when both awake and not, finally letting out long frustration towards Rick. Showing by the end, he really needs his father during their stint on this new world. And in this one episode, we see Carl’s quick change, which should be recognized and praised. Writing wise, I had no good or bad opinion about it. I suppose I lean towards the negative side, as I can honestly say I expected more out of Kirkman. Same with Nicotero, while a great director, this episode does not seem to match others under his helm. Kirkman did not have much to work with, regarding little dialogue, but I suppose the pace could have been a bit faster, due in part to both Nicotero and Kirkman. Finally, the aspects of the comic books are what intrigued me. As a big fan of the comics, the first 15 minutes stayed not only true to the comic (more possibly than the entire series has as a whole), but even literally page by page, box by box, it was dead on. I’m one who believes in a strong, close adaption of the comics, since I think that is what the fans from the start of the series. I enjoy re-interpretations, altered revisions, but with big changes (such as the ending death in the finale of S3), I get annoyed since HUGE plans should be in place. That is for another day, but simply put, a great positive out of Kirkman’s writing for “After” was good in staying true to the comics. Little moments such as Michonne stabbing the head (although a different head), Rick’s struggle with that one walker, Carl yelling, “Wake up!”, Carl taking out those walkers on his own, to Michonne and the Grimes’ soon to be reunion, these scenes were taken right off their pages, bringing a joy to myself and many other comic fans alike. All and all, this was a good episode. I expected more of this midseason premiere, more (personally in addition) out of Nicotero and Kirkman, but great performances by Gurira and Riggs with a great adaption of the comics to the screen, I believe it sets up well for the rest of the season. Although a bit slow, it was understandingly slow, as it has to be for the rest of the story to come to fruition, and deliver high impact emotion soon. If it follows suit like this episode has, this looks to be a great second half, as I always think something to start slow should build up to be done correctly, and I have the upmost confidence with this following the comics now, it should not disappoint.