The Walking Dead (TV Series) Strangers (2014) User Reviews

In this form, season 5 could be a Winner!

[sirajq · 9/10 · 20 October 2014]

Normally, in a show like The Walking Dead, there is always a sort of reality check episode, usually being one that follows an absolutely amazing one. But Season 5 so far hasn't descended into the usual. No, 'Strangers' is a brilliant follow up to the awesome premier.

Now, 'Strangers' is much slower than the premier, but it's also a much more focused and concise episode, with an absolutely gut-churning cliffhanger that will excite the hell out of the comic book readers. A dark, intense atmosphere coupled with the solid progression of almost every character makes this episode quite engrossing.

Never has The Walking Dead raced out of the gates with this much polish and confidence. And thank God it is doing so, because if season 5 carries on this form, this could be the best season yet. 8.5/10

The Priest and the Cannibals

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 20 October 2014]

Rick and his group escape from Terminus and they help the mysterious priest Gabriel from an attack of walkers. Gabriel brings the survivors to his church but Rick does not trust him. Then Rick, Michonne, Bob, Sasha and Gabriel go to a nearby town to scavenger food and ammunition. Meanwhile Carol and Daryl find a car while bringing water to the church. During the night, Daryl and Carol find a lead to the whereabouts of Beth and Bob is abducted by strangers.

"Strangers" is another great episode of this promising Fifth Season of "The Walking Dead". Rick is right when he says that humans are to be more feared than the walkers. The story has opened at least three subplots: what have Gabriel done? Where is Beth? And how Rick and his friends will deal with the cannibals since Rick has promised to kill Gareth. What is the connection of Bob with the people of Terminus? Will the group follow Eugene in his journey to Washington is another question. There are several questions to be responded in episodes of 44 minutes only once a week promising great new episodes. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Strangers"

Note: On 17 April 2016, I saw this show again.

This is what I like to see

[GaryBreslin2011 · 8/10 · 20 October 2014]

I lost interest in the Walking Dead quite some time ago, and even the season 5 premiere didn't catch me, i felt that the show was losing its story. However Strangers has completely grabbed me back.

These people form Terminus are in their own way terrifying, and give a really creepy, strange and sinister feeling to the show. It actually surprised me to find that those watching were the men from Terminus and i feel that cannibalistic behaviour is probably the most interesting and exciting feature to add to a post apocalyptic show/film. I don't know what to expect from this Priest and the church but its definitely building up tension successfully and i am excited to find out.

I definitely think that some improvements in terms of characters are needed such as Maggie not seeming to care about Beth, but at this rate season 5 could be a winner, and looks as if it could include the best story line in The Walking Dead yet, so lets hope the writers can impress just like they did in last nights episode. For the first time since season 2 The Walking Dead has left me looking for more.

appropriate and Essential Episode

[mohamad_goldenlarynx · 10/10 · 20 October 2014]

Well, after that absolute crazy episode we watched last week, it is very good to follow up the rest of the season in a very suitable and fitting way. the story this week continuous the pace in a perfect way. characters are all dealing with the remained stuff from season 4 (the left-behind stuff!) and every small talk delivers in some way. carol and Daryl's speech is short, but effective, Rick and Tara's speech is funny and good, Michonne and Rick's speech about her sword shows that She is more than just a sword carrier! and walker Smasher! but the most warming and effective speech is between Maggie and Tara that shows how much she is welcomed in the group, she's earned her place. Not to forget Father Gabriel! (Comic fans have so much spoilers for this one!) he is totally like his Clone in Comic book. Abraham's toast about survival and Washington DC. is a clue of what we're gonna see for the rest of the season. well the group is now have a specific direction.

there were two scenes in this episode that blew my mind. first was Daryl recognizing the car that took beth and now he and Carol are after that (so, they are now separated from the group). And (My God! and spoiler alert!) the cannibals are now back for some food. and what a disturbing and heart pounding scene that was, to see them gathering around a fire and eating Bob's leg, while Gareth is teasing to the poor Bob How delicious his leg is! it was adopted directly from the comics.

after all, It was a satisfying episode and it delivered perfectly. it was mostly a Build-Up episode and a bridge to the rest of the season's storyline.

Verdict:

*Satisfying conversations we've been waiting for! *Abraham's speech was appealing and necessary for the season's main direction. *Sasha/Bob happiness is now Over in some way! *Bob's Leg is Delicious! *Disturbing cannibals came exactly when we needed them. *Build up episode delivered perfectly. *Good job writing this episode Robert Kirkman. *Father Gabriel's Character development (And the rest of the characters) *excellent Start and Excellent Ending. my score 10/10

If things continue the same way...

[shishir9211 · 10/10 · 20 October 2014]

Just two episodes old season 5 proves that this season has the potential to become the best season if things continue the same way. The writers should get credit for this. The 2nd episode of season 5 introduces Father Grabiel, who is hiding something (Now, that's fun). I was wondering about Beth from a week and here we are with Daryl and Carol chasing some anonymous car and getting separated from the group.

And the Cannibals are also back. But this time they invite us to join their BBQ Fest. Can't express my feelings after watching the last few minutes (BBQ should be avoided for some time, I guess). You got to feel something for poor Bob because he knows how good he tastes after being barbecued...oh, heck.

A man's gotta eat..

[and_mikkelsen · 9/10 · 29 January 2024]

This episode was pretty dtraight forward at first, feeling like your usual Walking Dead episode... until the last part of the episode, when everything turned into true horror, reminding us to never let our guard down!

The last scene is one of the more iconic scenes for its sheer horror! That monologue followed by that reveal send chills down my spine! This is Walking Dead at its best! Showing us the brutality of this world.. and how far people have gone!

The rest of the episode broad some nice warmt and joy after some very dark and depressing episodes! Good to see everyone just having a good time, in a long time!

Gabriel was a nice new character, who might not be what he seems! A man with secrets!

A BBQ Festival

[RedHotKneppers · 10/10 · 19 October 2014]

One of the less-action packed episodes of the season, but a fierce, disturbing one-hour (or I should say 40-43 minutes) journey. We meet up with a brand new character on the show - but not so much of a stranger to comic book fans - Father Gabriel in this one. We explore the different possibilities of who this man is and what story he has to tell to Rick and the group. Is he an evil man, or is he really living up to his word? It's exciting to see how far the group has come and the precautions/decisions they make when confronting strangers. It's not the same show since Season 1, but you can decide if that is a good or bad thing in your preference. And lastly, but not least, if you are planning on having a BBQ tonight, please consider doing it BEFORE watching the ending of tonight's episode... unless you have a very strong stomach and you really do not mind watching an amputated leg be digested and munched down, then have at it!

Keep this form and season 5 can be the best!

[kevinpaul1999 · 10/10 · 20 October 2014]

Having the season premiere out of the way , the show continues to go forward , in the best ways . Slight changes in shooting styles have made the episodes a tad bit more horrifying than before . The episode is starting to go more closer to the comics then ever, which is good . The episode had tense moments in it and zombies that looked frightening as he** , It sends down a blood curdling sensation , especially during the last 5 minutes .

Overall a great episode that'll send chills down your spine and brings big questions as to what the group will do next . Season 5 is going really well with just two episodes down. Let's hope they can keep this up for the coming episodes. Well written and well executed !

Strangers in non-paradise

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 26 October 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.

"No Sanctuary" was an outstanding start to the fifth season and one of the show's finest season premieres, its acclaim more than justified. The exceptional quality doesn't let up in the second episode "Strangers", not as dark an episode as the season premiere but it is not really one of the "calm after the storm" episodes. It is again one of Season 5's very best, if not quite of the whole show like "No Sanctuary" was. It's a tense and gutsy kind of episode instead of the quieter, reflective and action-light kind of episode. It is yet again 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.

Like all the episodes of the show, "Strangers" 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. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but never being too intrusive.

The writing is intelligent and thought-provoking, not as talky as some of the previous episodes, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and shows signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The ending is deeply disturbing and wrenched the gut in how shocking it is, one of the show's most shocking. The action is thrilling and uncompromising, evoking real terror and intensity, the episode containing what is a strong contender for its most stomach-churning in a powerful way reveal.

Appreciated the ever strong and still progressing story, where a lot happens and full of different strands without being confused or over-stuffed, and character building and that the pace is rarely dull or rushed, with a taut intensity in the more tense parts. The character writing and the character interactions are what is particularly great here, there are far more interesting 'The Walking Dead' characters generally than Bob but he is interesting here and sent off gut-wrenchingly. Father Gabriel makes a hugely promising first impression, one of the episode's interest points.

Everything is nicely paced without rushing through the more important parts, much of it being very taut. The world building continues to be stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric, some of the best of the whole show in my opinion, while the show throughout has been strongly acted and "Strangers" is no exception.

Concluding, outstanding. 10/10 Bethany Cox

What is more creepy than Zombies?

[ilmer480 · 9/10 · 20 October 2014]

....sea-monster Zombies and Cannibals.

And this episode has all of that. The only cliché though, is the priest and the fact that Rick is not trusting him. "He is hiding something", of course he is hiding something... like the Governor and all of the other sick, twisted people in this zombie apocalyptic universe.

I like that they are all together again, with new friends. There were to many side stories in the last part of season 4. Not that it wasn't good, it was just getting a little boring to see them all constantly running for there lives and looking for each other like one big hide and seek game.

This episode had a lot of everything; the cliché scared priest with dark intentions, some canned food scavenging with the sea-monster zombie twist, and the spooky twist ending with angry cannibalistic kind of new main villains from the destroyed sanctuary.

One of my new favorite characters is actually that ginger military dude with the handlebar. I think he has a lot of potential, so please don't eat him, scary zombies, sea-zombies and sanctuary cannibals.

Wow didn't see that coming

[kikio_ · 9/10 · 6 March 2020]

Two first episode in season 5 is outstanding..They are all Cannibals

What about Bob?

[petra_ste · 6/10 · 23 October 2014]

This is an above average episode - although not on par with the exciting season premiere - but I can pinpoint my problems with it on Bob (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.), who has a prominent role here and is the protagonist of a creepy moment at the end.

Sadly, his character has been one of the blandest in the series. He was a former army doctor, but both his medical and military backgrounds have been basically irrelevant. His addiction to alcohol (one of his first scenes had him risking his life to save some booze) as a character flaw has been suddenly switched off, never to be mentioned again. His Pollyanna-like optimism shown in this episode appears to come out of nowhere. In short, show writers never seemed to know what to do with him; a missed opportunity, because, with a stronger characterization, that last scene could have been devastating.

I can't say the return of the Terminus cannibals is surprising - who didn't see it coming? They had been set up in the season finale as main antagonists, clearly they were mot going to disappear so soon. Also, the show's obsession with the "homo homini lupus / people are the real danger" theme is becoming the focus of the series; the "walkers", now slaughtered by the dozen, are now more a recurring hindrance than the key threat.

On a positive note, priest Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) shows promise as a new cast addition.

6,5/10

Ehh...

[KikiFlorida · 5/10 · 30 January 2017]

This has probably been my least favorite episode to date. I love the suspense and surprise that The Walking Dead provides, but I think the cannibalism aspect was adequately covered when Terminus was destroyed.

The last scene is really what brought the episode down a few notches for me. It seemed like gore for the sake of gore. It was less like The Walking Dead and more like Saw. I guess I don't look at The Walking Dead as a horror show. It's definitely a scary show, but it's also a fascinating look at how civilization and acceptable social behavior would change in an apocalyptic world.

I'm sure there would be cannibals. Probably more than I'd like to imagine. But I hope the season does not continue down this road much longer. I am really not watching The Walking Dead for an experience like Nightmare on Elm Street. The show is way better than that, and I hope the writers don't start looking at the show with the thought of, "What more disturbing and disgusting actions can we portray just to horrify the audience?"

Again, the last scene was disappointing. It felt like a cheap scare / gross-out. Plus Gareth is not a very engaging villain. The Governor was a wonderfully disturbing villain because you could see how he slid down that slippery slope to evil. You didn't really feel sorry for him or think that his actions were justified, but they fleshed out his character and we were able to get a view of the man as a whole. Gareth just seems very two- dimensional. Maybe they will make him more interesting as the series progresses, but right now I'm not seeing how that's even possible. He doesn't show remorse or even a motivational vengeance. He's just kind of casually cruel. Even the kid in the baseball hat is more intriguing than Gareth. If there was such a thing as a boring cannibal, Gareth fits the bill.

I usually don't trust strangers.

[nmartini-04832 · 9/10 · 7 November 2018]

Father gabriel is found by rick and gang. And is lost.

True Horror

[slightlymad22 · 9/10 · 1 April 2015]

Plot In A Paragraph: After the escape from Terminus the gang save a mysterious priest named Gabriel from an attack of walkers. Gabriel brings the survivors to his church but Rick does not trust him. Once settled Rick, Michonne, Bob, Sasha and Gabriel go to a nearby town to scavenger food and ammunition. Meanwhile Carol and Daryl find a car while bringing water to the church. During the night, Daryl and Carol find a lead to the whereabouts of Beth.

Poor Bob. Seriously, not since Carol took Lizzie out for a walk have I been so shocked and disturbed by something on The Walking Dead. But tonight's final scene takes the cake.

What was shocking what happened after Bob woke up after being snatched. It started with Gareth droning on about how this wasn't personal and how they're just doing what they have to do. It seemed like your standard bad guy monologue. And then we pan out and Bob's leg is missing. And Gareth is eating meat. They're all eating meat and Bob's leg is gone. To add insult to injury, Gareth makes sure to tell Bob how good he tastes.

Carol and Daryl both thought they were being followed, and it was no surprise they were. And even less of a surprise that it was Gareth and some of the guys from Terminus. What about Beth?? The one thing I didn't quite understand about the "Let's go to D.C." meeting was why no one brought up trying to find Beth. Including Maggie, her own sister. Daryl hasn't forgotten Beth, however. And when he spots a car that looks like the one he saw speeding off when Beth vanished. He and Carol took off after it.

One thing is certain is that Gabriel's no angel. He's not good with fighting off walkers and he's definitely keeping something from Rick and his people.

I'm guessing Gabriel locked out his "flock," leaving them to fend for themselves? It would explain the "You'll burn for this" words scratched on the outside of his church. There may be more to the story of the woman with the glasses, whom he saw in zombie form.

Tara's in. Rick seems prepared to trust her (enough to fist-bump her anyway), and she confessed all to Maggie, who also seems up for giving her a full do-over. I like Tara, so I'm glad she's clearing the air if it means she can be fully initiated into the group full time.

Bob and Sasha seemed to be in full-on romance mode. But something seemed up with Bob before he was taken. While the whole group was enjoying food and each other's company, he gave Sasha a kiss and stepped outside to smile and then cry. Which is when he was snatched. Will Bob survive this ordeal? Or is this just the beginning of a bigger nightmare for him??

Can't wait for the next episode.

A mans got to eat

[cmcc194 · 10/10 · 20 October 2014]

After last week's exhilarating season 5 premiere, The Walking Dead slows things down a little and gives us an episode that really introduces what this new season is going to be all about. Robert Kirkman, who penned this one, opens the zombie gates to a larger discussion about faith and survival. These are the two themes that will juxtapose each other for much of the season, I think. How far are you willing to go to survive while still having faith that there is goodness in the world?

Rick doesn't seem to have faith in much anymore except his family. And who can blame him? He's lost so much in five seasons that it's a miracle he's not just killing everyone he crosses paths with. More than any other survivor in the group, Rick is walking that fine line between hero and villain. To Gimple's credit, he's introduced the Terminans (aka The Hunters -- we'll get to this in a minute) at exactly the right time. Seeing what Gareth is capable of to survive week after week shows us what Rick might turn into if pushed just a little bit farther. Verdict brilliant 10/10 can't wait for more Fear The Hunters

The Walking Dead

[louiswerber · 10/10 · 19 October 2014]

I love this show but not as much as my wife . Teresa Werber she would just die if she couldn't see Rick and the gang every time it is on she watches it lol. This year is the best yet and she says the best is yet to come lol. She also says not to be killing off her family!!!!!! Let us have our little blond back.Well we just love this show. We have been watching this show since it first aired. Its the best television show on in this century. Keep up the hard work it will be rewarded.We hope we can win the trip to see casting and filming live. My wife lost her leg to diabetes just last month and she said Now I am like Huersal. Do you know she crys every time one of the original group dies. well all I have to say is this show is the most original show you could have made. I think if this should happen today it would be exactly like this and we would be in this original group.

Hands down the season we deserve.

[jcolque22 · 10/10 · 21 October 2014]

Loved the dark impact. Great episode Bob being without a doubt the nicest in the group getting eaten by a pack of cannibals. A great solid episode. I especially enjoyed Fr. Gabriel's performance as the fanatic father, Rick being referred to as Officer (reminder that he was once a sheriff's deputy) and Abraham's speech. The man was waiting for the perfect time to give it and what's a sergeant always a sergeant. Great acting and the cliffhanger was brutal. We see how the terminus trappers have devolved into the hunters. (cannibal holocaust theme music playing in the background) I am not at all surprised how quickly these episodes lose good ratings from 9.8 to 9.7 this one from 9.2 to 8.9 and I disagree with the decrease. I give this episode a solid 9.5

Fear The Hunters

[cmccarthy123 · 10/10 · 20 October 2014]

The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 2 "Strangers" a top episode which has the comics to thank for a lot of it. For those of you fearing that The Walking Dead season 5 might lapse back into the slower (not necessary bad) pacing of last spring's episodes now that our survivors were back on the road, you can breathe easy. Not only did "Strangers" (written by comic creator Robert Kirkman) feature everyone travelling together, but it introduced us to a new character, a new shelter, and brought back Gareth and the Terminus goons for more cannibal chaos. So all in all a solid episode with a satisfying mix of down time and fantastic thrills.The Walking Dead often excels at action-packed high drama, but it's the quieter episodes that really reinforce the reality of life in a post-apocalyptic world – the idea that survival is one long slog, it does not disappoint! The end if the episode was taken from the comics with a small twist but was done brilliantly! Comic readers will know what I mean! "A mans got to eat" :) 10/10

A Brilliant Follow-Up!

[g-bodyl · 9/10 · 4 March 2015]

This is the second episode of the fifth season of the Walking Dead. This episode is a marvelous follow-up to the season premiere. Usually after big episodes, there are slow, character-driven episodes. Not this time. The intensity is lowered to some degree, but this is still an action- packed episode that features a rather somber, gut-wrenching cliffhanger.

This episode, "Strangers," has Rick and the gang leaving Terminus. They rescue a mysterious priest from some walkers and he gives them sanctuary in his church. Rick does not trust the priest for the right reasons, and me makes that clear when they go on a hoard fun for food. Meanwhile, Daryl and Carol discover a lead regarding Beth's whereabouts and the group is being hunted by a mysterious group of people.

Overall, this is a very good episode. Things are calmer, but not incredibly calm. The ending is a shocker and I'm surprised I did not have a heart attack. I hope every episode this season maintains this level of intensity.

My Grade: A

Slightly disappointed but still longing for more!

[waterhouse_melons · 8/10 · 20 October 2014]

So here goes for my first ever written IMDb review!

This episode leads on from the incredible high set by the first episode set in Season 5 of The Walking Dead. The crew are on foot, away from Terminus and has the audience captivated as to where they are heading to next.

Turns out, nowhere really. This episode sees the cast stumble through a forest to find a priest who is about to be killed by walkers. The priest is searched by Rick, one of the only members of the crew who is suspicious of his character from the off.

The priest takes the group into shelter in his church nearby and advises them on where food and supplies could be nearby. This splits the group off which takes up a vast majority of this episode.

Not too much happens in the way of thrills and action in the second episode of season five until the last few minutes. Once the crew are back in the church, they somewhat unite with 'the army guy' to go to Washington DC to find the cure. Yet, Bob is snatched away from anyone's notice by a masked figure - could this be Morgan from the bonus credits scene from episode one!?

Turns out no. It's the group from Terminus who are now without a home. They begin their fightback against our gang by ravaging Bob, eating him piece by piece alive! The episode ends, this time with no stinger appearing after credits!

So with the basic scene set in this review, I find that this episode has a lot of filler; from the very first minute to the fortieth, this episode has very little in the way of character development or shock value. Stumbling upon the priest and seeking refuge seems a tad cliché in this comic book series and we have seen plenty a time before when 'war' emerges between Rick's crew and another.

The reason this episode deserves an eight is for the climatic ending to the episode. Whilst I don't wish for a repeat of an entire series (i.e. The Governor), it will be interesting to see how this storyline plays itself out. As a huge fan of the show who is only just catching up on the comic book itself, this episode leaves many doors open as to where this series can go; or it can loop back on itself with a repeat of season 3.

Entertaining

[mm-39 · 7/10 · 2 November 2014]

Strangers is a strong episode. A few strong plot twists. Rick meets a minister and stays at the minister's church. There is something wrong with the situation. The minister is creepy and hiding something. Rick and the group also realize there is something or someone watching/ hunting Rick's crew. Well written, directed, and acted. The story, acting and direction crafts an eerie feeling of doom. The doom is intensified as the two sub-plot merge into a quadrum of suspense. The suspense climaxes with a shocking ending. The return of the cannibals in this episode. How are they any different from the zombies? Maybe because the zombies do not know what they are doing is wrong whereas the humans should know better! Seven stars.

Awful..

[aylinkartal-138-316577 · 4/10 · 20 October 2014]

I've decided to give this show another chance by deciding to watch this season.. we're still on episode 2 and i regret this decision already..

This is what the writers of this episode did:

Hey ! Let's take everything that the protagonists/antagonist have done before in this show! and make them do it OVER AGAIN in the SAME BORING WAY.. and hey! Let's add a couple more clichés, and poor dialogue! oh and don't forget the cool slow motion shot of our heroes walking in the beginning, it would be so cool ! and OMG you know what !? let's make up for the boring episode with a cool scene at the end where this dude doesn't realize that his leg is chopped off for five minutes, while his head is pointing directly to his legs and the first thing a normal person does when he wakes up is check his body.. We got our episode guys ! so cool right ? right ?

"Strangers" is a character-driven episode that sets the stage for the challenges and conflicts the group will face as they continue their journey

[fernandoschiavi · 8/10 · 12 March 2024]

As the group continues on its journey, it comes across the preacher Gabriel Stokes, who they have to rescue from walkers. The preacher is cooperative, and takes the group to his church. Still, Rick can't help but wonder if the man is hiding something. Abraham finds a bus that can be used to transport Eugene to Washington D. C. After Gabriel mentions a nearby food bank, Rick plans a supply run. Bob, Sasha, and a reluctant Gabriel go with Rick. Rick's suspicion of Gabriel is heightened when he sees the man cower in a corner after being exposed to seemingly familiar faces.

Carol and Daryl scout the area and come across a car that is similar to the one that took Beth away. The two give chase. While walking in the woods, Bob is kidnapped by the remaining survivors of Terminus. As the leader Gareth calmly explains their motivations, his group eats Bob's leg.

"Strangers" is a pivotal episode that not only introduces Father Gabriel and his moral dilemma but also further develops the relationships within the group. Michonne's opening up about her past and Carl's budding friendship with Enid add layers to the characters and showcase their emotional growth. Additionally, the episode's exploration of forgiveness and redemption, particularly in Father Gabriel's storyline, adds depth to the themes of faith and morality.

The episode also highlights the group's resilience and determination to survive, as they continue to push forward despite the dangers they face. The group's decision to stay together demonstrates their unwavering commitment to each other, highlighting the strength of their bond. Overall, "Strangers" is a character-driven episode that sets the stage for the challenges and conflicts the group will face as they continue their journey.

Strangers...

[peteypiper · 9/10 · 12 January 2015]

The Walking Dead - Season 5 Episode 2 - "Strangers"

Episode 2: Strangers

After the spectacular season premiere for this season, I was excited to see what the rest of the season had in store for the audience and it didn't disappoint. After Terminus, the group are reunited and are as one but which location were they headed to next? This episode was very dark yet creative due to the different situations that occurred for the characters. We are welcomed into a new narrative, along with new characters and new dangers for Rick and the group. In this episode, the group meet Father Gabriel, a sinner, and they find refuge in his church but as they find a comfortable fortification, people go missing and new enemies start to emerge.

The key scene for me was the ending of this episode as it stuck very close and precise to the comic books. We find out, as Bob goes missing that he's been bitten when they went on a supply run. However, this being bad news for Bob, we find out that Gareth from Terminus and some other stray people had survived the fall of their camp and had "evolved into Hunters." I became very excited when I heard these words spoken by Gareth as the introduction of villains from the comics appeared with a new twist. This show took a different turn again as it became dark with the aspect of cannibals being placed into the narrative. I did start to feel nervous for Bob when I found out that his leg had been cut off and was being eaten in front of him as it showed the sinister part of Gareth's group and that the audience didn't know what was in store for the rest of Rick's group. All in all, this scene was fantastically acted and written which made me feel somewhat scared of this show.

Even though so many characters had spotlight moments in this episode, I was mostly interested in Father Gabriel as he was introduced in this episode. When we first meet him, he was being attacked by walkers and was saved by the group. However, what was interesting is how he had survived this long if he can't kill walkers due to his cowardliness and beliefs. Something was being hidden by this character as he was shy, scared but somewhat full of regret from his body language. Also, Gabriel being a character in the comic books, I was excited about the show's adaptation of him as well as the actor playing him who did it very well in my opinion. I look forward to seeing more depth from this character as the series goes on.

The cinematography was very flowing throughout the episode as it constantly followed the group's movements as well as a certain shot placed to capture the scene. I loved the tracking shot used to follow them through the wooded area as it showed them open to different dangers such as walkers or even people. The use of close up shots used were very well done to represent facial expressions of certain characters, it showed individuals talking to one another as the group was moving with their own little section such as Abraham and Rick along with Sasha and Bob and it stuck out to me as clever cinematography, made it more enjoyable to watch as an episode.

Overall, this episode was a good one to follow the premiere that the audience are still recovering from. The characters that were introduced to us in this episode were secretive, vengeful and dark in terms of personalities which is associated with Gareth's group. The different camera shots used to construct the episode were great to watch as they looked professional and inventive with aspects of uniqueness, an each to their own feature for each episode which is what I like as it's always showing something new. I look forward to how this situation is going to be handled with, will Rick's group battle Gareth's group? If so, who will come out on top? I look forward to finding out. The one criticism I have is that I think they should have captured a different person for the ending scene but apart from that, a great episode.