The Walking Dead Review: “What Happened and What’s Going On”

The Walking Dead returns. The acting remains strong, the episode is intense, and the outlook is bleak. We even get a past cast reunion, of sorts. However, I doubt I’ll continue watching.

Title: “What Happened and What’s Going On”

Cast and Crew

Directed by Gregory Nicotero
Written by Scott M. Gimple

Chad Coleman as Chase Tyreese
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes
Norman Reedus as Darryl Dixon
Steven Yeun as Glenn Rhee
Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene
Emily Kinney as Beth Greene
Melissa Suzanne McBride as Carol Peletier
Sonequa Martin-Green as Sasha Williams
Tyler James Williams as Noah
Danai Gurira as Michonne
Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes
Andrew J. West as Gareth
Seth Gilliam as Father Gabriel Stokes
Michael Cudlitz as Sgt. Abraham Ford
Josh McDermitt as Dr. Eugene Porter
Christian Serratos as Rosita Espinosa
Alanna Masterson as Tara Chambler
Lawrence Gilliard Jr. as Bob Stookey
David Morrissey as the Governor
Lennie James as Morgan Jones

Additional cast and crew information may be found here.

Premise

You can’t go home.

The survivors begin to lose hope after returning to Noah’s old settlement, and an established character dies.

High Point

Given how many times we’ve been in this kind of situation, The Walking Dead continues to be suspenseful.

Low Point

The death of a character begins with his losing focus at a time when he expressly knows danger lurks nearby. Granted, his actions reflect a desperate emotional state, but it still felt a little forced.

The Scores

Originality: 4/6 “What Happened and What’s Going On” represents the most original episode in awhile, with its fragmented structure and surreal imagery.

Effects: 5/6 This week highlights the Snapping Dead.

Story: 5/6 Someone or something appears to have dismembered some of the zombies, but not killed them. This fact may or may not be significant to the season.

Acting: 6/6 This episode features many fine moments as the cast says farewell to an important character and seeks hope.

Emotional Response: 5/6

Production: 5/6

Overall: 5/6
The Walking Dead remains a brilliant show. I just feel like it’s done everything I want to see. I’m finding the show, in both its strengths and weaknesses numbing now rather than thought-provoking or entertaining.

In total, “What Happened and What’s Going On” receives 35/42