The Walking Dead (TV Series) Bloodletting (2011) User Reviews

Let there be blood

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 26 May 2018]

Had heard nothing but great things about 'The Walking Dead' from friends and IMDb reviewers. It took a while to get round to watching, both from being busy and also not being sure whether it would be my cup of tea. Finally getting round to it a few years ago and slowly working my way through it, having had a very long to watch and review list, 'The Walking Dead' turned out to be very much my cup of tea and as good as the hype made it out to be, have found it extremely addictive.

"Bloodletting" is a terrific second episode to Season 2, after a hugely promising season opener. And a strong reminder of how Seasons 1-5 of 'The Walking Dead' to me were absolutely brilliant and seeing the show in its full glory days (Season 6 was uneven, Season 7 was a huge disappointment and am still debating whether to watch Season 8). It is as emotional, complex and as tense as one would expect , at the same time it has adrenaline and guts.

It still shocks me at how an intelligent, well-made (so much so that it is easy to mistake it for a film) show about zombies could be made when so many films have tried and failed abysmally to do so.

My only complaint of "Bloodletting" is that at times it is a little too heavy on the talk and it's a little rambling. Didn't mind that it was relatively light on the zombie action, it's hardly the first or last episode to be that and a fair number of those types of episodes have executed it well.

Like all the episodes of the show, "Bloodletting" is incredibly well made in the production values, with gritty and audacious production design, photography of almost cinematic quality, effects that look good, have soul and are not overused or abused and pretty frightening make-up that make the zombies even more terrifying. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but never being too intrusive.

The writing generally is intelligent and thought-provoking, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and already showing signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The more eventful scenes at the end, where the action kicks in, are thrilling and terrifying as well as uncompromising.

Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story and character building, which the episode has a bigger emphasis on, and that the pace is never dull or rushed and the cliff-hanger is surprising.

Despite the more deliberate and calmer tone, that doesn't things from being tautly paced without rushing through the more important parts. The world building is already stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric while the show throughout has been strongly acted. Andrew Lincoln is an excellent lead and Jon Bernthal also offers fine work.

Overall, terrific. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The Last Hope for Carl

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 25 October 2011]

Before the zombie apocalypse, Lori tells a friend while waiting for Carl at school that she had an argument with Rick the night before. Meanwhile Shane arrives and tells that Rick is in a surgery and tells what happened on the road.

Rick runs seeking for help, carrying Carl on his arm while Shane follows them with the hunter Otis that had accidentally shot Carl. They reach a farm and Carl is attended by an old man called Hershel. He finds that the bullet has shattered in six fragments and he needs Rick's blood for transfusion to Carl. He withdraw one piece, but he concludes that he needs surgical supplies to remove the other five fragments, and Shane and Carl head to a school that is surrounded by walkers to get the medical supplies. One daughter of Mr. Hershel rides a horse and brings Lori to the farm.

Meanwhile Dale finds that T-Dog has an infection in his arm and needs to take antibiotic. The group agrees to spend the night on the road waiting for Sophia and travel to Mr. Hershel's farm in the morning.

When Lori finds that Mr. Hershel is a veterinary, she gets afraid with the fate of Carl. Meanwhile, Shane and Otis get the necessary supplies but are under siege of dozens of walkers.

"Bloodletting" is focused in the drama of Rick and Lori seeing their beloved son Carl dying. Their only hope lies on the hands of an old veterinary. It is an absurd that Lori arrives dirty and sweaty and runs to the room where Carl is resting. Further, her comments to Mr. Hershel are absolutely inappropriate due to the circumstances. The final scene seems to be a promise of another great show. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Bloodletting"

Note: On 09 April 2016, I saw this show again.

Great Episode, Not Quite as Strong as Premiere.

[mikeamber-36157 · 8/10 · 28 September 2020]

Most of Bloodletting is a brutal, intense episode. Carl is in a serious condition and nearly dies several times. We are introduced to the Greene family, most notably Hershel and Maggie (portrayed by Scott Wilson and Lauren Cohan, respectively). Other than that, the episode is more character focused, and has a somber tone.

The trauma of parenthood

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 15 August 2021]

Carl has a gunshot wound and the search for Sophia continues.

This is a strong episode that has some good character focussed drama.

The serialised plot picks up immediately where it left off with the dramatic situations involving both children. I prefer the pacing of this episode to the previous, as it does not drag as much in certain sequences of monologue.

It helps to be a parent to appreciate both plot threads. I have sat next to a hospital bed with my child on a ventilator, feeling helpless and not knowing what will happen. The scenes involving Carl captures that emotion incredibly well. However, as good as these are, there is no real suspense as it's quite obvious throughout that everything is going to be alright. Would Hollywood writers put characters through this much trauma without a payoff? No.

The high point is definitely the performances and characterisation. It all feels incredibly plausible and realistic to me. They also give Shane more solid character development and lead nicely to superb cliffhanger that flows perfectly into what looks to be a plot thread for the next episode.

All visuals and editing are excellent. The camera does a lot of storytelling, which is important to me. The zombie effects are superb as ever, particularly one very subtle and creepy surprise attack.

All performances are great with Andrew Lincoln, John Bernthal, Sarah Wayne Callies and Pruitt Taylor Vince standing out for me.

Awesome Episode!

[g-bodyl · 9/10 · 31 May 2014]

This is the second episode of the second season of Walking Dead and it's a dandy. It's not as good as the opener, but a worthy follow-up for sure. Just like the opener, it finely balances the action and the drama. This episode has me hanging on the edge of my seat throughout. The major zombie action doesn't show up to near the end, but it nicely sets up what's going to happen next.

In this episode, "Bloodletting," Rick and Shane desperately get Carl to the farmhouse of Hershel Greene to save Carl after he got shot by accident by Otis, a resident of Greene's house. Meanwhile, Shane and Otis decides to go to the local high school to get supplies needed for Carl's operation.

Overall, this is a very good episode. It's often dramatic, tense, and even emotional at times. The acting is very good here as Andrew Lincoln and Jon Bernthal steal the show. But there are some good guest appearances by Pruitt Taylor Vince and he was pretty good. This episode ended on another well-done cliffhanger. I rate this episode 9/10.

Parenting In The Apocalypse

[Deadlyknights · 9/10 · 3 November 2022]

Starting from the cliffhanger of the last episode, we get carried over to Hershel's Farm in the hopes he can save Carl's life. We get to see how crushing this is for Rick, This episode show's just a glimpse of how amazing of an actor Andrew Lincoln is. We feel the emotions he's feeling. Not having Lori there for Carl while he has to go through this. Maggie sets off to go find Lori while a mission is being set up for the supplies Hershel needs to save Carl. Out of danger for the moment the group tries to figure out who is going to go. Shane and Otis set off for the school where the supplies are being held. Walker's surrounding the building, they find flares to use and divert the walker's so they can get inside. After getting inside they get trapped and the episode ends off.

This episode is criminally underrated, from the acting to the character dynamics and the exploration and depth of their personalities. If I could rate it a 9.5/10 I would. I don't think it's quite as amazing as some of the best but it's definitely the 3rd or 4th best episode so far. Give it multiple watches and see what your gonna see. Might change your opinion.

Bloodletting

[inefableataraxia · 8/10 · 19 December 2018]

We see the challenges our protagonist have to face into saving Carl. Like Rick staying home without doing action and keep by his side. While shane have to go with Ottis to school to find some things for Carl operation. Meanwhile Maggie and Hershel do the best to save Carl.

Saddle Up, Cowboy

[rwk2 · 7/10 · 27 October 2011]

I watch this show because I want to see zombies. I didn't see any the first half of this episode and that is a problem. A zombie show with great characters is awesome. But just a character show with some zombies thrown in isn't really worth my time. That's just regular TV and I'll eventually stop watching. Might as well be shopping at the mall to see as much social and family drama played out as the melodrama we had to wade through here.

The move from Carl getting shot last episode to getting medical care and introducing new characters took all of ninety seconds. Well done. Most it played out nicely between the episodes actually, and that was fine. Moved the story right along. And then it hit a brick wall in the form of Rick's continued weird parenting decisions. Your kid needs Type A transfusions and you're the only source. Even if you could leave, why would you? Stay by the bedside in case he wakes up again. I get he's concerned and overwrought but seriously that makes no sense. Nor does Lori whining to the only medical man available, "have you done this before?" Does it matter? Carl is either dead or has a slight chance. So an idiot shot your son. You let your son go wander off into zombie infested woods instead of staying in a cleared area. Who, really, is the idiot here? It was a mistake to cram all of that into a single episode. Drawing it out over two or more would have been better, substituting in some flesh eaters instead.

On the other hand, I must say I like the flashbacks to the day Rick was shot. Said it before and I'll say it again, I want to see how exactly society broke down as zombies, or "the epidemic" if you prefer, overtook these peoples' everyday lives. To me that's the key where TWD can distinguish itself from others in the genre. Not a small pocket of resistance (Night of the Living Dead) or well after the fact (28 Days Later); show us the play-by-play of reality crumbling into this funky new surrealism. On that note, when T-Dog saw the car seat splattered with blood, MAN, that was the most disturbing image I've seen in awhile. Speaking of him, thank you, writers, for illustrating his moniker (Theodore Douglas) and spelling out in his fever-induced delirium what we've been wondering since last season: what are the long term survival prospects for this group, anyway?

Lastly, here's a freebie of common sense. Two guys need to clear an area of walkers to search it. They drive up in a pickup. Just send one guy driving in slightly faster than a zombie can shamble to lead them away. They're not intelligent, they'll follow bait; they don't need to be tricked. Certainly two guys with no armor don't really need to risk themselves searching when one driver can just draw off the pack. It's like no one in this show has actually had a group discussion on survival techniques. Brainstorm! Instead, it always goes this way: we need something, you couple of people will go for it even though these people over here oppose the idea for sound and rational reasons. Take only one weapon each and under NO circumstances discuss the best approach to the problem on the way there--absolutely no strategy or tactics--and if at all possible leave a clear and easy trail back here for as many walkers as possible to follow you. We'll be here, not making any more defenses.

Notice how there isn't really any deterrent to keeping walkers away from the farm house. That wire fence won't do much...

The Apocalypse isn't Kind to Children

[devinpbuffington · 10/10 · 29 June 2023]

While out looking for Sophia we see Carl become the victim of an unintended gunshot. Rick now has to take him to the shooter's camp in an attempt to save his life, and this is where we meet the Greene family.

This episode introduced three incredibly important characters to the series: Hershel, Maggie, and Beth. Isolated on their family farm and mostly untouched by the walkers outside the Greene's are ironically a bit green to the dangers of the world around them.

Hershel takes the responsibility of trying to save Carl while Maggie goes to collect the rest of the group, meanwhile on the road T-Dog is fighting off a fever from a blood infection due to the cut he got in the season premiere. Once Lori and the rest of the gang has been alerted to Carl's situation an argument begins to ensue about what to do: Go to the farm and establish a base or stay on the road incase Sophia comes back?

A lot of people kind of saw this episode as a step down for the series as it mostly has to do with drama rather than survival, however for fans of Horror don't fret as Shane takes Otis (Carl's shooter) to a local FEMA outpost for medical gear giving us some great Darabont zombie action.

In my opinion this was an incredibly solid episode.

"Bloodletting" expands the world of "The Walking Dead" by introducing new characters and settings, while also deepening existing character arcs

[fernandoschiavi · 7/10 · 28 February 2024]

"Bloodletting" is an episode that delves into the emotional and physical turmoil of the characters, following the intense opener of the second season of "The Walking Dead." The episode begins with a frantic rush to save Carl's life after he is accidentally shot, introducing the Greene family farm, a location that becomes central to the season. This setting not only provides a temporary sanctuary but also introduces new dynamics and moral complexities as the group interacts with Hershel Greene and his family.

The episode masterfully balances the urgency of Carl's medical crisis with quieter moments of character development. Rick's desperation and Lori's anguish are palpable, as are the ethical dilemmas faced by Hershel, who is wary of outsiders. The introduction of the Greene family adds depth to the narrative, presenting a contrast between Rick's group, who have been on the road, and Hershel's, who have been relatively insulated from the horrors of the outside world.

"Bloodletting" also explores the theme of hope in the face of despair. The efforts to save Carl, despite the slim odds, reflect the larger struggle for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. This theme is further emphasized by the episode's flashback to the initial outbreak, showing Lori's reaction to the news of the dead coming back to life, which juxtaposes the past's fear with the present's grim reality.

The episode is significant for setting the stage for the season's conflicts, both internal and external. Shane's journey to obtain medical supplies, culminating in a morally ambiguous act to save Carl, highlights the lengths to which characters will go to protect each other, foreshadowing future tensions and moral quandaries.

In conclusion, "Bloodletting" is a powerful episode that blends emotional depth with the harsh realities of survival. It expands the world of "The Walking Dead" by introducing new characters and settings, while also deepening existing character arcs and exploring themes of hope, sacrifice, and the moral complexities of survival. The episode's ability to evoke strong emotional responses, coupled with its contribution to the overarching narrative, makes it a crucial part of the season's fabric.

Brilliant Storytelling

[NickChaa · 10/10 · 26 October 2015]

This is a fantastic episode. I love the flashback at the beginning of the episode when Lori is waiting for Carl to get out of school, and Shane drives up and tells Lori that Rick has been shot. Lori now has to tell Carl that his dad has been in an accident. I loved the choice of them showing Lori telling Carl whatever she told him without sound you can see the emotion on Carls face and can tell whatever Lori told him must've been hard to deal with. When Carl got shot in the previous episode it ties in with the flashback at the beginning of the episode perfectly meaning Carl had to deal with Rick being shot from the first season and now Rick has to deal with his son being shot. I really loved this episode the drama and the emotion was perfectly captured with them having to deal with multiple issues. This might be one of season 2s best episodes in my personal opinion. Season 2 might be the strongest of all the other seasons so far.

Shane and Rick change!

[mm-39 · 7/10 · 9 July 2012]

Shane and Rick were getting along until the Bloodletting episode. The scene where Rick's son gets shot is the beginning of a new plot twist. Shane and Rick are changing from the strain and stress of surviving the zombie plague. Shane is losing his humanity and is become a walking alpha testosterone hormone guy. Rick maybe endangering the group, but the viewer experiences a change in Shane where one questions his humanity. Is he just in it for himself? Is he endangering others by his actions or is it Rick doing the endangering? The Walking dead is slowly becoming a post apocalyptic series where the characters are becoming survivors and scavengers.

9.1/10

[CillianMurphyEnthusiast · 9/10 · 13 August 2023]

"Am I the only one zen around here, good lord!" -Daryl Dixon. Such an underrated episode. I actually think it's better than the first episode of season 2, "What Lies Ahead" (2x1). They are both 9.1's for me. This episode introduces the farm and all the new characters. The first scene of the episode is amazing. It shows a scene before the apocalypse where Shane is telling Lori what happened to Rick and then Lori tells Coral. This episode shows Rick caring for Coral so much running over half a kilometer (it might have been half a mile) carrying Coral to get to the farm. Andrew Lincoln's actor in this episode is amazing (it always is). Coral looks like Young Sheldon when he is lying in the bed unconscious. Great cliffhanger with Shane and Otis trapped in the school.

Storey Setting & Character Building Over Zombie killing

[slightlymad22 · 7/10 · 23 October 2014]

The second episode of season two of "The Walking Dead" starts right were the first episodes cliffhanger left us.

Plot In A Paragraph: Shane goes on a dangerous mission for medical supplies. Rick and Lori keep a vigil by Carl's bedside at a nearby farm, while Daryl keeps looking for Beth.

We meet some new characters, Otis (Pruitt Taylor Vince), who is living at a nearby farm with his partner Patricia, Hershel (Scott Wilson) and his daughters Maggie (Lauren Cohen) and Beth (Emily Kinney)

All the new members of the cast look to be good editions and maybe the farm could be a safe haven for them as it defiantly appears tranquil and blissful. An actor I have hardly mentioned is IronE Singleton as T-Dog. Which is unfair as he is a valuable member of the group and a very good actor, who brings a lot to the table. I this episode paranoia kicks in with him as he seems himself and Dale as the most Expendable of the group.

We also get a hint at a "Breaking Bad" cross over in this episode

Poor Carl. I hope he would make it.

[XueHuaBingYu · 6/10 · 28 June 2019]

Episode 2 is where they are trying to save Carl, the one who got shot. Unfortunately, his condition is not good and the circumstances are in the worst condition. The zombies are all around and they have very little and limited resources, so, they are not able to save him as they wanted. They need to get some things that they required to do so. Thus, they went to high school to get those things.

The episode is like the first episode, it doesn't have a lot of excitements except for the last scene. Mostly, the entire episode was kind of into drama. Seeing Carl with the gun shot wound lying on the bed is so sad, especially for a mother. No parent wants to be in the situation like this. I wish he could make it. If he made it, I hope there wouldn't be any scene like this in the upcoming episodes.

What I don't like of this episode is that Lori and Tricks reactions (especially, Lori's) when they found out that guy who was trying to save Carl was a vet. If and when it's necessary, a vet can do on humans too. Animals and humans are basically the same. The difference is just medicines. The medicines used on animals are weaker than humans'. The fact that they didn't know about it makes me felt bad impression on them.

The last scene is very excited. In that scene, they are surrounded by zombies and seemed to be no way out. It got me felt afraid and also excited. I'm eager to see how they would get out that big group of zombies. Although not all the walking dead's episodes are my taste, but it always get me to continue to watch the next episodes. Really great TV show. 😁

More story is plotted with less zombie killing

[kkoller0693 · 7/10 · 27 October 2011]

Two episodes in and The Walking Dead is continuing its progress of slow build up. We know something is going to happen very soon and it makes us want more which is a very good thing. I have never read the comic books before so I have no idea what's going to happen but I feel something coming soon.

"Bloodletting" was a good episode from start to finish. There wasn't a lot of zombie killing at all during this episode; it was all story driven. The episode opens up with Lori being told that Rick was shot back in the first episode. Then it immediately goes back to Rick running towards a house with Carl dying in his hands. We learn that a hunter didn't see Carl behind the deer and the bullet went through it and hit Carl in the stomach. It was great acting by Chandler Riggs who plays Carl. Even though he didn't say a word this episode, his pain acting was pretty good for a kid his age. Not bad kid, not bad. Andrew Lincoln as Rick was better this episode than the first. He was shaken up this episode and it showed.

Other than the Carl storyline, Lori and the others continued to look for the little girl who just ran off into the woods because that was the smartest thing she could do (sarcasm by the way). But when they return to Dale and T-Dog, they find T-Dog suffering from Blood poisoning after tripping and opening a vein in the last episode. It was pretty funny that the show spoofed Breaking Bad with the blue crystal meth inside Daryl's drug bag while he was looking for pain killers.

The ending was pretty good as well especially when Shane punches a zombie in the face . . . that was awesome by the way. One punch and it goes down to the floor . . . bada**. The ending in this episode was a little better than the previous episodes. I want to know how the hell they get out of that situation really badly.

Overall, "Bloodletting" was a solid episode. It wasn't brilliant but it wasn't average either. The story is progressing and little zombie killing is being made so far - I think only one dies this episode. But it was a solid episode that left me wanting more - something that was missing from last episodes ending. 7/10

More Character Development

[bobwattheheck · 7/10 · 30 June 2020]

The ending of the episode prior was shocking, but it gave us perhaps the most boring episode of the season. While the acting was great and Carl getting shot was pretty darn sad, I roll my eyes every time I come across this episode when I binge the series. The rest of the group is in pain, and so was I while watching 2x02. The character development was the highlight of this episode.