The Walking Dead: “Hounded”

Danger dogs the survivors as the season finale approaches.

Title: “Hounded”

Cast and Crew

Directed by Daniel Attias
Written by Scott M. Gimple from the graphic series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Robert Adlard.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes
Danai Gurira as Michonne
Laurie Holden as Andrea
David Morrissey as the Governor
Michael Rooker as Merle Dixon
Scott Wilson as Herschel Greene
Steven Yeun as Glenn
Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene
Norman Reedus as Darryl Dixon
Melissa Suzanne McBride as Carol Peletier
Emily Kinney as Beth Green
Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes
Lew Temple as Axel
Dallas Roberts as Milton
Dave Davis as Gargullo

Additional cast and crew information may be found here

Premise

We learn the significance of the phone call, while Darryl makes a discovery in a prison cell.

The Governor sends Merle and a posse after Michonne, while he himself gets closer to Andrea.

Glenn and Maggie make a supply run, and have a fateful encounter.

High Point

Rick”s phone therapy.

Low Point

We knew Andrea and the Gov would get together. It’s a poor choice on her part, but I can accept that she would make it. The love scenes themselves did not work quite so well. They needed to take a different approach to them. It’s even okay to put these scenes off-screen.

Originality: 3/6

Effects: 6/6

Story: 5/6 This episode brings us close to the confrontation between societies that we know will happen– though it will clearly shape next season more than this one.

I was surprised that quick-witted Glenn permitted Merle to get that close. The plot requires it, and sometimes, even talented people do stupid things, so I think we have to let this one go. I would worry if “plot by dumbass decision” becomes commonplace, however.

Acting: 5/6 We continue to receive insights into the characters, and the cast rises to expectations. Andrew Lincoln gives a noteworthy perfomance this week, as he confronts the limits of his sanity.

Emotional Response: 5/6 The episode had many strong moments.

Production: 6/6

Overall: 5/6 This is a strong episode, though I’m surprised Michonne only now learns that zombie blood ‘n’ guts cause the walking dead to ignore you.

In total, “Hounded” receives 35/42

2 replies on “The Walking Dead: “Hounded””

  1. This such a dark, delicious series. Bear McCreary does an amazing job keeping the tone. I find it fascinating listening to the sound track evolve with the characters, much like it did with BSG.

    McCreary is a treasure.

  2. I think I’ve definitely overlooked that element in my reviews. Yes, The Walking Dead has another hallmark of AMC’s quality series: a really effective soundtrack.

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