Rick Grimes and the Alexandrians return for The Walking Dead season 6.
Here’s our review of the season premiere!
ThisWalking Deadseason 6 premiere review contains spoilers.
And it feels good.
I think what I missed most from last season was the zombie threat.
Gone were the days of an approaching zombie horde that promised impending doom.
Because the end was inevitable.
We saw it on Hershels farm and in the prison.
But not in Alexandria.
The safe zone came too easy.
The Walking Deadhas always been at its best when the survivors are adapting to the walker threat.
Its the essence of what makes a good zombie story.
Yes, social commentary is important.
Yes, humans need to ultimately be the real villains.
But a good zombie movie/TV show has to also be fun.
And Gimple, Nicotero, and friends bring all that by the ton in this episode.
Theres not a lot of this episode that isnt fun.
Okay, lets talk about Ethan Embrys Carter for a minute or two.
His short rivalry with Rick isnt exactly the best part of the episode.
It reminds me too much of the town hall meetings, politics, and cocktail parties from last season.
Learn to defend yourself or die.
Scheming in a pantry is not going to help in the new world.
Of course, the scenes with Carter do help to solidify the juxtaposition between in here and out there.
Rick knows what the cowardly Carter cant possibly understand: you cant just build higher walls.
Its good that the season has established those differences in philosophy early.
It sets the stage for the moral questions that will undoubtedly surround it.
Morgan, Daryl, and Deanna are all wondering if Ricks way is best.
Daryl doesnt agree that Alexandria should stop letting people in.
He believes that welcoming new people and building a stronger community is the only way to survive.
For her part, Deanna doesnt really feel very diplomatic at the moment.
But its Morgan who is really front and center when it comes to challengers to Ricks methods.
The guy who we last saw losing his mind in season 3 is suddenly very zen about things.
He believes in the goodness in people in a way that Rick no longer can.
Its a sweet scene when Rick lets Morgan hold Judith.
I honestly dont think their difference in philosophy will play out in any physical way.
We have loads of Alexandrians (and the incoming Wolves and walkers) to do that.
Playing this out in a violent confrontation is definitely not the way to go about it.
Ive really missed them.
Heres toThe Walking Deadbeing a zombie show again for a little while!
Stay tuned for our weekly reviews ofThe Walking Deadseason 6!
Find more of his work onhis website.
Or justfollow him on Twitter.
Rating:
4 out of 5
