The Walking Dead (TV Series) Nebraska (2012) User Reviews

Great Episode!

[g-bodyl · 9/10 · 5 June 2014]

This is the eighth episode of the second season of Walking Dead and it's a very good and rather depressing episode. The action takes it down a notch from the previous episode, but there is still some action to be had. The character development is great, despite some people grumbling about Lori's character development.

In this episode, "Nebraska," Herschel demands Rick's group to leave after their actions and he starts drinking again and disappears. Meanwhile, Rick and Glenn decide to find him despite protests from Lori and Shane. After awhile, Lori decides to head out to find Rick.

Overall, this is a very good, tense episode that is high on character development. For action fans, we even have flipping cars to be seen. We also get to meet some new characters, characters that will be familiar with people who've read the comic book. I rate this episode 9/10.

Solid episode except for....

[xxxNomadicxxx · 8/10 · 15 April 2018]

This is a solid episode, especially the bar scene. The dialogue was perfect to setting up the final showdown. BUT..Lori's part is ridiculous. What was the point of a pregnant woman going out to look for her husband, in a town she never been in. I mean, what was she going to do, drive up and down every street and honk the horn till Rick come running? The part looking down at the map and swerve out of the way to dodge a walker. It seems that this part was forced and wasn't necessarily need for this episode. It was like they used it to make a 47 minute episode.

Dark and poignant aftermath

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 5 June 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.

"Nebraska" is another terrific episode to Season 2. Really appreciated the poignancy and the darker tone, that also foreshadows the tone of what was to come. 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.

Sarah Wayne Callies still doesn't do much for me and the way Lori's role and subplot here is written are frustratingly contrived, one doesn't expect the level of stupidity in early season 'The Walking Dead' than seen here with Lori, especially the cause of the accident.

Like all the episodes of the show, "Nebraska" 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 ending is unexpected and unbearably tense. The character writing, the character interactions, Rick's development and the powerful conclusion (one of the season's, and show's, best) are what are particularly great here.

Everything is tautly paced without rushing through the more important or action-oriented 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 though the entire cast apart from Callies are on fine form.

Overall, terrific. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Getting with the program...

[poe426 · 10/10 · 17 February 2012]

Our hero finally steps up and asserts himself. Sure, somebody had to die- but that's okay; we're talking zombiegeddon, here. My earlier reservations about the actor playing Rick were laid to rest (full of holes) when he capped the two ***holes in the bar. Action DO speak louder than words... It'll be interesting to see what happens with Shane when he comes to realize that his milquetoast buddy ain't so milquetoasty no more. With Rick riding around early on in the show like a sheriff fresh out of the Old West and, now, plugging varmits in a saloon, THE WALKING DEAD may very well be walking into Clint Eastwood territory. Lookin' forward to it.

The first transitional episode of the series

[jedblak-30707 · 10/10 · 17 February 2019]

Where it all changes. Bad people arrive. If you love the show you recognise why this episode gets the high rating

Dave and Tony!

[and_mikkelsen · 9/10 · 8 January 2024]

This episode gives of an emotional darker vibe as we are in the aftermath of the shoot-out at the barn!

This episode has one major theme.. Hope! We all see how our characters are shaken to their cour! Everyone is devestated and they all struggle to find a reason to keep going after thry just felt their hope being taken away! This world is cruel and to find meaning in lives is a struggle on its own! Some know what can of world it is... some still need to adapt and realize!

The last part of the episode might be the most memorable as Dave and Tony enter the picture! The whole scene is intense and seeing how our characters respond reminds us that humans can be a threat too!

A solid mid-season premiere that foreshadows a darker tone that we haven't seen yet.

[kkoller0693 · 8/10 · 15 February 2012]

When we last left the group Shane showed Hershel what walkers truly are, killed the zombies in the barn and Rick kills poor little Sophia who has become a zombie. "Nebraska" picks up right then and there with the burning of bodies as well as burial ceremonies for Sophia and Hershel's family members.

Story wise, "Nebraska" did a great job not wasting the hour it had. It doesn't take too long for Shane to question Hershel if he actually knew if Sophia was there all along. It was a good question to ask but the answer was somewhat difficult to believe. I'll get into that later. We also see character developments in many characters. The one who really stands out is Rick who is shocked and upset with himself that Sophia was in the barn all along. He begins to tell Lori that he feels responsible for Dale getting wounded and shot and even sort of thanks Shane for doing what he did. While he doesn't thank him in his mind, because he still believes it was a horrible thing to do, he now realizes that if he stopped Shane from opening the farm, they would be chasing a "ghost". Carl is also beginning to change when he tells Lori that he would've killed Sophia too by saying, "It was the right thing to do". Not only is that a chilling speech for a mother to hear, but we are beginning to see Carl change into what his father has become.

We also see Shane and Dale exchange glares of hatred and don't really start a conversation. We also learn that Dale believes Shane killed Otis. He even tells Lori. I'm going to be honest, Dale is a smart guy and one of my favorite characters, but he has to learn to keep his mouth shut. If he keeps going after Shane like this, who looks like is not going to last the rest of the season (my prediction - not a fact), he might be killed by this newly born psychopath.

The ending also truly shined. The confrontation between Rick and another survivor Dave and his friend was played out so incredibly well. This also shows Rick's darker side begin to appear. We all know Rick as a person of reasoning and discussion but in this scene, we begin to see Rick take things a little more seriously. While he probably wouldn't have aloud the two survivors join their group anyway, Rick said flat out, "Sorry, we can't take you with us. There is no room for you". While it ends badly, in a good way, Rick did the smart thing which was to keep his group safe from outsiders whether walkers or other survivors.

The episode isn't without it's problems though. Remember when I said Hershel's answer to Shane's question was hard to believe? Well Hershel said that maybe Otis found her and put her in the barn. Now I'm being really critical here but that means after Rick left Sophia in the woods, she got bit by another walker, was able to get away, turned into a zombie, get caught by Otis in less than 24 hours and then Otis goes back out the same day to shoot the deer and finally Carl. The time line seems a little off for that to possibly happen. If you remember when Jimmy turned got bit in season one, it nearly took him a whole day to turn into a zombie. Just something to think about.

Another thing was the scene with Lori on the road. Can someone tell me the minute she looks at the map, while driving, a walker comes out on an abandoned road at that moment, and causes a car crash? That seems nearly impossible for that to actually happen.

Even with it's minor problems, "Nebraska" was a solid mid-season premiere. It showed new character developments and some action. The main plot itself doesn't really go anywhere but it doesn't have too. It was a strong episode without the group deciding what to do next after Sophia's death. It may not be one of the best episodes this season, but its a good starting point for the second half of season two.

8.5/10

This episode sets the tone for the challenges ahead, as the group must navigate not only the threat of walkers but also the unpredictable dangers posed by other humans

[fernandoschiavi · 8/10 · 29 February 2024]

Following the traumatic events at the barn, "Nebraska" deals with the aftermath and the group's struggle to come to terms with the harsh realities they face. The episode is a quieter, more introspective installment, focusing on the characters' grief and their search for direction after the devastating loss of Sophia.

Rick and Hershel's encounter with two strangers in a bar, leading to a tense standoff and ultimately violence, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers they face from other survivors. This moment underscores the theme of the episode: the realization that the world they knew is gone, and the rules of survival have changed.

"Nebraska" is significant for its exploration of leadership and the burdens that come with it. Rick's actions in the bar, protecting Hershel and asserting control, solidify his position as a leader willing to make tough decisions. This episode sets the tone for the challenges ahead, as the group must navigate not only the threat of walkers but also the unpredictable dangers posed by other humans.

The Code is Broken.

[devinpbuffington · 8/10 · 30 June 2023]

We have gone this entire series with one rule alongside Rick no matter what the circumstance: "We Don't Kill the Living."

No matter if it was in Atlanta, at the CDC, In camp on the road, or at the farm. The living are a commodity that can't be sacrificed over rage or anger. There aren't many people left, but there are too many mouths to feed at times.

That is until a rescue mission is sent for Hershel after he disappears to deal with the grief of what happened at his barn. Beth goes into shock and becomes catatonic while Hershel goes to relive the past and drink for the first time in years. While at a bar in town the small rescue team is approached by a group of survivors from Philadelphia. They break the news that the whole US is infected and even the military forts are overrun.

Rick is pressured into taking the two men's lives which breaks the moral code of his character. I consider this to be the death of "Officer Friendly from Up the Road A-Ways." and the birth of Rick Grimes as a leader.

Character Development Episode Till The End

[slightlymad22 · 6/10 · 24 October 2014]

Plot In A Paragraph: Rick and the others try and restore order in the aftermath of a terrible discovery, they bury their loved ones and burn the rest. When Hershel disappears, Rick and Glenn go in pursuit and Beth goes in to shock.

Not a lot of action in this episode till the very end, when Rick protects what's his.

Once again Melissa McBride is fantastic as the heartbroken Carol, as is Norman Redus as the equally devastated Daryl. Andrew Lincoln, Scott Wilson, Jeffrey DeMunn and Jon Bernthall all continue to deliver the goods in their respective roles.

However Laurie Holden as Andrea is rivalling Sarah Wayne Callies as the most annoying person in the show.

A few steps in a good direction, although not whitout a stumble

[dresik9 · 16 February 2012]

I write this from a perspective of a person who have read Kirkman's comic books, so I'd be a bit grumpy about the whole thing - you know us, we're Nazis ;).

The great problem with the medium swap in the case of "The Walking Dead" seems to be that comic book can focus on characters and their development without hurry. One issue - one character, who is most important now (also, they are far more killable). Meanwhile, actors need to have their screen time and, as a consequence, are shown doing pretty meaningless stuff, which doesn't forward the plot or put them in challenging position (and those conversations which are supposed to show us something new... they rarely do IMHO).

The characters development is going in the right direction, Rick is getting more violent and determined, becomes the one we love from the comic books (but less diplomatic, that's for sure). Same with Carl. I suspect Dale is getting grumpy too early, compared to his paper version, but the "new guys": Shane and Daryl show some promise.

The show was pretty consistent before: you get careless - you die. I think that the thing that ruined this feel was Lori doing her little act. Are the show creators going to make another example of her?

The critical point for Rick and his people.

[XueHuaBingYu · 8/10 · 6 July 2019]

As the headline says, this episode has a critical point of whether Rick and the other people get to continue to stay in that house or not. But Hershel is likely wanting them to leave. I can understand that why Hershel wants them to leave from his home. They've all crossed the line which they were not supposed to. I mean that was Hershel's house, so, his house, his rules. If he wants them not to do anything, even he doesn't want them to kill those zombies regardless of they are bad, they all have to obey no matter what. They have broken the rules and they crossed the line, so, Hershel has the right to ask them to leave. Hershel wants them to leave isn't his fault.

When that scene where Shane cleans up Carol's arm and hand, the thought that "Shane wants to sleep with her too?" comes to my mind. 😂 Maybe he has already slept with two, so, that kind of funny thought comes to me. I can't stop it, can't I? 😁

I can't say exactly that what Rick was right. You know, killing those two people. I think Nick might be right that he killed those two people. When I saw that scene where those two were saying that they wanted to come to that farm, I felt some kind of bad feeling that they want to make that firm into theirs. Who knows that they wouldn't kill everybody at later time, just to get that farm as their own? Who can say that they will not have greedy one day? I felt that they had greedy. So, yeah, Rick killed those two might not be bad thing.

The last scene gives some excitements. I know that I shouldn't think or say like this but I'm going to say. Lori kind of deserves to get what she got. I mean she shouldn't go out. Rick and Glenn are already out to get Hershel. All she had to do is to wait. Sooner or later, they will be back. No matter what she shouldn't go out. But no, she just had to go out. She think she can do better than his husband and Glenn? Shouldn't she know that there are a lot of zombies out there and she's just a woman. A zombie or pack of zombies can easily eat her. She overestimated herself. I kind of hate that kind of woman.

All in all, after this episode, Sophia thing had an end, so, we might see some new thing in the show. Plus, I want to know how Lori will escape. The walking dead is doing great so far. And I'm totally enjoying it even it's kind of into drama. I hope it wouldn't turn out wrong to make me stop watching the show.

The Walking Dead returns with a bore, ends with a bang

[tbmforclasstsar · 7/10 · 27 February 2012]

And we're back…

After a two-and-a-half month absence, we return to "The Walking Dead" right where we left off. Rick stands with his gun over the dead corpse of zombie Sophia, as the bloodbath that ended the first half of season two has just ended. Yes, this was an emotional, intense, and story- altering moment in the series, but it is time to move on…right?

Well, sort of. The problem I had with the first half of the second season of "The Walking Dead" was the lulls created by the story on the farm. In trying to develop characters deeper, the show ends up taking too much time for what is a zombie-apocalypse story. Don't get me wrong, I love character development, and AMC does it incredibly between "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad." But (number one) I don't need character development in a zombie-apocalypse story for me to care for and cheer for the survivors and (number two) none of these characters are crafted well enough to even waste time developing deeper.

Seriously, what else are we going to find out about Shane? That he is even more of a hot-head than we think he is now? What could we find out about Andrea? That she doesn't care if she lives or dies even more with each passing day since her sister's death? What has happened is each of these characters has become almost the extreme of the cliché of their personality type. Shane is the madman that is ruthless even when he thinks he's doing the right thing. Dale is the soft-spoken, yet wise and always correct old guy. Rick is the leader everyone looks to that has to gun down a little girl that was once part of the group to keep his new family safe.

We already are aware of what each of these characters is about. Say 40 zombies come rushing on the farm in the next episode. Is there any reason to think the following won't happen: Rick, Shane, Andrea, T-Dog, and Glenn will go for the guns…Daryl for the crossbow. Glenn will worry Maggie won't like him anymore for icing some "walkers." Shane will go apeshit on a couple of the zombies. Lori (with the help of Carol) will try to protect Carl, who will want to shoot alongside his Dad. Hershel will cry out that he doesn't want the zombies killed and will want them off the farm afterwards…obviously we have seen this before, so why shouldn't it be the same again.

My argument is this…get this show off that goddamn farm. The first season of the show with Rick trying to find his family, meeting and being saved by Morgan and Duane, leaving for Atlanta, meeting the group after escaping a tank he was surrounded in, walking with guts all over himself through a minefield of death walkers, Shane beating an abusive husband to a pulp, fighting off an attack on the camp, leaving behind a scratched victim, traveling and finally getting into the C.D.C., escaping the C.D.C. before it explodes…THAT WAS SIX EPISODES.

So far, season two had the first episode where they hide from a horde of zombies, Sophie gets lost, and Carl gets shot. The next five episodes are a slow lead up to a bloodbath in the barn. Sure, you had Shane shoot Otis and leave him for dead, Glenn got some, and Lori is prego, but the fact is things are taking forever to get anywhere. The reason it needs to go somewhere can be seen in the end of the first episode from the second half of this season.

The bar scene, in which Rick has to blow away a few passers through, will hopefully be the pivotal point for this season. First off, Rick reestablishes himself as the leader of this group (and a quick and accurate shot, to say the least). Next, Rick has defended the entire farm from two strangers that were not to be trusted. Third, Rick has (hopefully) regained the trust of Hershel as 1) he wouldn't allow the two men to join their group on the farm to begin with and 2) he killed them to protect Hershel's farm and keep new and dangerous occupants off his land. If Hershel can't see Rick is the good guy now, they might as well pack up and go within the first minutes of episode 9.

Of course, there is the Lori situation to deal with now. While I have this moment, can I mention how pathetic these "survivors" really are? The fact that this is the group that is still standing during a zombie apocalypse is bewildering. Old guy gets upset his barn full of zombies gets shot up, so he goes into a dangerous and vacant town (probably full of zombies) alone. Wife is too worried about her hubby (who has backup) that she leaves her only child alone on a farm with a bunch of strangers to drive ALONE into town (and is dumb enough to pull the old 'where am I going' 'how do you read a map' routine). The group starts a GIANT BONFIRE near dusk on the outskirts of a forest that we know inhabits the undead. It's almost to ridiculous to keep watching…but I do it anyway.

So anyway, Lori is in a half overturned car on an empty road somewhere between the farm and the town. Rick seemed like he would get back to find her by the episodes end, but the little run-in with the Philly boys has put them a few minutes behind. So we are likely to waste the next episode with Rick finding her over-turned car now vacant, and the search will be on to find Lori. It's the first half of season two all over again…Sophia=Lori.

Read the rest of the review at: CustodianFilmCritic.com

What a ridiculous episode!!!!

[angeladevillier · 5/10 · 29 August 2019]

Ok everything was going good in this episode, Hershel needed to be found. Rick and Glen already decided to go into town and bring him back. So my question is, What the hell were the writers thinking when they wrote Lori going after them? That made no damn since what so ever!!!!!! Why didn't they just go ahead and send Andrea after Shane, then send Maggie after Andrea so on? See how stupid that sounds, well same for Lori going after Rick and Glen!!!! Dummest episode ever written!!

Such a good show.

[donnakdunbar · 10/10 · 10 October 2021]

This show is so well written and thought out. The character interaction is superb, and the development of each character arc is well done and deliciously suspenseful.

Having said that, the only flaw I can find is in the Lori character. It's said that when you actively hate a character, it just speaks to how well the actor is portraying the ideas of the writers. Normally I absolutely agree with that, but I strongly disagree in Lori's case. For a show that is otherwise so well written, superbly cast, and otherwise well acted, Sarah Wayne Callies is a complete let down. Since her first lines, Lori has come off as a whiny bitch; she can't be pleased, doesn't make good decisions, and can't see the big picture.

Overall, I do love this show.

9.1/10

[CillianMurphyEnthusiast · 9/10 · 14 August 2023]

"Selfish? Listen to me Olive Oil. I was out there looking for that little girl every single day" -Daryl Dixon. This was a great episode. It started off with an amazing opening scene continuing right after the last episode, "Pretty Much Dead Already". When Beth is crying over the death of her step mother it sounds like a half cry half laugh type of cry that sounded really strange. Lori is a real b- (I'm not allowed to use profanity) for thinking Daryl is selfish. Like he said, bro was out there every single day looking for that little girl. He took a bullet and an arrow. Lori < Andrea. Rick killing Dave and Tony was the best part of this episode. It also set up the whole Randall plot when Dave said "there were others".

The Weak Return of a Show Abruptly Interrupted

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 19 February 2012]

After the massacre of the walkers kept by Hershel in his barn, Rick's group decides to bury Sophie and the beloved ones of Hershel's family and burn the other copses. Beth is in shock with the violence and Hershel vanishes; Rick and Glenn head to a bar in town to seek out the old farmer.

Meanwhile Dale discloses to Lori that he suspects that Shane has sacrificed Otis to save his own life and that Shane would be capable to kill someone in the group. Lori decides to find Hershel and drives a car. While checking the map, Lori hits a walker and has a serious car accident. Meanwhile two suspicious strangers arrive in the bar and ask many questions about the location of the survivors to Rick, Hershel and Glenn, and Rick feels that something is wrong with the guys.

"Nebreska" is the weak return of a show abruptly interrupted that has frustrated the fans. I was in doubt whether I would continue to follow "The Walking Dead" or not and I have decided to give another chance to this series despite Fox do Brasil does not respect the scheduled hour to begin the show.

The plot does not show anything new except Rick's attitude defending his friends and Lori's accident on the road. In the rest, the plot is stalled in the same point that was interrupted. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Nebraska"

Note: On 10 April 2016, I saw this show again.

I can't get past one major flaw that keeps happening...

[EddieSixx · 6/10 · 17 November 2022]

In the scene where Rick is traveling to the bar with Glenn, Glenn has a shotgun between his legs, pointed up at his face. Rick, driving, would never allow this as a person trained in firearms. I understand this show is not necessarily going for realism, but why did they not hire someone with a one percent understanding of firearm handling to consult so some of these ridiculous errors don't occur? Anyone, and I mean anyone who has ever held a real firearm knows you don't point it at your own face whether it is loaded or not. That scene sticks out to me like a sore thumb. It's not the first time it has happened, either. The characters often have their guns pointing up when they get into vehicles. This never happens in the real world. It's ridiculous.