The Walking Dead Review: “Sick”


Title: “Sick”

Cast and Crew

Directed by Bill Gierhart
Written by Nicole Beattie, from the graphic series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Robert Adlard.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes
Sarah Wayne Callies as Lori Grimes
Scott Wilson as Herschel Greene
Laurie Holden as Andrea
Jeffrey DeMunn as Dale
Steven Yeun as Glenn
Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene
Norman Reedus as Darryl
Melissa Suzanne McBride as Carol Peletier
Danai Gurira as Michonne
IronE Singleton as T-Dog
Emily Kinney as Beth Green
Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes
Markice Moore as Andrew
Nick Gomez as Tomas
Lew Temple as Axel
Vincent Ward as Oscar
Theodus Crane as Big Tiny

Additional cast and crew information may be found here.

Premise

The survivors try to secure the prison further, with the help and challenge of a group of inmates who have no idea the world has ended. While Rick and company out-badass the badasses, Carol practices medical techniques on a corpse, Lori tries to save Hershell, Carl tries to prove useful, and someone spies on the yard.

High Point

1. The inmates, out of touch with the new reality, behave with dangerously hilarious cluelessness when confronted by zombies, while Rick makes harsh but necessary decisions. I do wonder about the long-term effect of his choices. I agreed with pretty much everything he did here, but harsh necessity can pave the path to Shanehood.

2. Carol has something to do, Lori grows more sympathetic, and T-Dog continues to develop a presence.

Low Points

The prisoners had food, but no access to sunlight or fresh water for a year, and I doubt they were ever the most stable group. I find it hard to believe they would have the level of physical and mental health they demonstrate in this episode.

The Scores:

Originality: 3/6

Effects: 6/6

Story: 5/6 The story turned on difficult decisions and while the script played safe with the outcomes, “Sick” made for some intense viewing.

Acting: 5/6

Emotional Response: 5/6 They prolonged the daughter’s premature farewell to Hershell, but overall, a powerful episode. I held my breath as Hershell received mouth-to-mouth. Yes, it was an obvious way to create suspense, but it worked.

Production: 6/6

Overall: 5/6 The first two episodes have me hopeful this will be a “sick” season.

In total, “Sick” receives 35/42

Final Comment

1. I wanted Tomas dead about as soon as Darryl did, but I might have taken a chance on the last two surviving prisoners. One is too much of a coward to make trouble, and the other, a burglar, has useful skills. Will they eventually become a part of this group?

2. I’m picking a nit, but indicating that the first two seasons covered about ten months of time requires a new suspension of disbelief with reference to Carl’s age and development.