Walking Dead Review: “Chupacabra”

They still haven’t found little Sophie and, title notwithstanding, they haven’t added another modern mythic creature to the show. Nevertheless, this week delivers one of the season’s stronger episodes.

Title: “Chupacabra “

Cast and Crew

Directed by Guy Ferland
Written by David Leslie Johnson, from the graphic series by Robert Kirkman

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes
Sarah Wayne Callies as Lori Grimes
Jon Bernthal as Shane
Norman Reedus as Darryl
Laurie Holden as Andrea
Jeffrey DeMunn as Dale
Steven Yeun as Glenn
Scott Wilson as Herschel Greene
Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene
IronE Singleton as T-Dog
Melissa Suzanne McBride as Carol Peletier
Emily Kinney as Beth Green
Hane McNeill as Patricia
James Allen McCune as Jimmy
Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes
Adam Minarovich as Ed Peletier

Additional cast and crew information may be found here.

Premise

Tensions also mount between Hershel’s group and Rick’s group, as Herschel grows more controlling and Rick’s people screw up. Tensions mount within Rick’s group as members debate whether they should continue searching for Sophie. A snake startles Darryl’s mount, and throws him into a difficult spot. And all the talk of mounting gets Glenn worked up, and he uncover the secret of the barn.

High Point

The show managed some genuine tension. Shane may be flirting with evil, but he raises valid questions about the cost of searching for Sophie.

Darryl’s plot proves particularly gripping– it’s about time he’s had a more developed solo adventure.

Low Points

…However, I don’t buy the (relative) ease with which Darryl survives both the zombies and Andrea’s Atticus Finch-like shot. The zombies had him at a significant advantage, but didn’t bother to chomp the vulnerable parts. The show would have regained considerable edge if he hadn’t made it.

Also, seriously, can we find Sophie already? The plot has worn thin, and this episode ends with a much more significant and interesting development, albeit one readers of the graphic novel have anticipated.

The Scores:

Originality: 4/6

Effects: 6/6

Story: 4/6 This episode had a solid story, though I’m amazed the Atlanta survivors saw no evidence until this week of the zombie horde in the barn. Wouldn’t they be noisy? Wouldn’t they make more of an effort to get out?

Acting: 5/6 “Don’t worry. We’ve all wanted to shoot Darryl.”

Emotional Response: 5/6

Production: 5/6.

Overall: 5/6 Does every female in the Atlanta group who steps outside of traditional roles either fail at the attempt or do something dangerously stupid? Or do the characters generally make poor decisions?

In total, “Chupacabra” receives 34/42

One reply

  1. I think the Sophie plotline will last just long enough to hold us through the mid-season break. Guessing they’ll move on after that.

    I’d like to think she’s gone feral, and will have nothing to do with them.

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