Crossed

This is the seventh episode of the fifth season of the Walking Dead. It looks like we have another filler episode on our hands, but this time it becomes more obvious that the road is leading somewhere big. The episode is the first episode to feature all the main characters this season and I am grateful for that. There are four subplots, and each one is intriguing in their own way despite the lack of action.

In this episode, "Crossed," Rick, Daryl, Noah, Tyreese, and Sasha head to Atlanta to rescue Beth and Carol. After Carol's admittance to the hospital, Beth tries to revive her. Father Gabriel decides to escape from the church. Abraham and the rest of the crew are trying to find water and recover from Eugene's revelation.

Overall, this is a solid episode that is obviously leading somewhere. There is an ample amount of characterization and there are some trust issues as Sasha learns the hard way. I cannot wait to see what the mid- season finale has in store for us.

My Grade: A-

This episode very much works as the one to set up the events of the next episode! Rather than centering on a single group of characters, we instead bounce around these 3 plots that all resolves in the next episode!

The group with Eugene, is still strugling to cope with his revolation and how to advance from there! Its a story about not giving up even if there is no hope! You can not afford that in this world or you will loose yourself!

Gabriel is still a mysterious character and you never truely know what is going on inside his head!

Ricks group has the most interesting storyline as they try to figure out how to extract Carol and Beth! We really see how much Rick has changed and how cold he has become!

Maybe he sent to much time on the road!

Rick, Tyreese, Sasha, Noah, and Daryl make it to Atlanta and prepare a plan to capture two officers and exchange them for Beth and Carol. This way, in theory no one has to die. The two cops, Lamson and Shepherd, claim the trade won't work, and want to help take Dawn down. However, Lamson gets an opportunity to escape by using Sasha's grief over Bob.

Eugene is still out cold in the road. Rosita attempts to talk to Abraham. He smacks a water bottle out of her hands and then jumps to his feet and gets in her face. Maggie pulls her gun on him. He recognizes her conviction, and sits back down. After Maggie tells him to get over himself, he eventually comes to his senses.

At the hospital, Dawn is faced with the choice of whether to kill or save Carol. While the official decision is to let Carol die, Dawn secretly has Beth get the medicine needed to save the woman, with Dr. Edwards' help.

"Crossed" is a tense and action-packed episode that not only explores the group's attempts to rescue Beth but also delves into the theme of redemption. As Sasha and Tyreese struggle to rescue Bob from the hospital, they are forced to confront their own demons and the choices they have made in order to survive. Sasha's decision to spare the life of one of the hospital officers reflects her growth as a character and her willingness to show mercy in a world devoid of compassion.

Tyreese's struggle to come to terms with his past actions and find a way to forgive himself adds depth to his character and underscores the theme of redemption. The episode's climax, where Rick and the others launch their attack on the hospital, highlights the group's determination to protect their own and seek justice for those they have lost. Overall, "Crossed" is a gripping episode that showcases the characters' resilience and their willingness to do whatever it takes to survive in a world that has become increasingly dangerous and unpredictable.

Ah! What a fresh episode the makers have gifted us after so long.

I agree with the other reviews, that the story might not have progressed as much as you might want, but let me tell you the unique fact about this episode.

Since last season there was no episode that tried to contain all characters and take us through the story. This episode is unique that way by trying and excelling in doing so. This sort of screenplay keeps the audience at edge of seats, teasing and making to want more of each episode. The hospital, the fire engine, the church and Rick's attempt in getting Beth out of hospital were all knit into a beautiful screenplay.

Some more positive aspects are the new graphic Zombie imagery, Gabriel's character build and the excellent cinematography.

Rick, Daryl, Glen, Maggie, Carl, Michonne, Beth, Tyreese, Rosita, Father Gabriel are definitely setting the stage for finale.

My rating 8.9/10

'The Walking Dead' was highly recommended to me, but it took me a while to get round to watching. Both from being busy and also not being sure whether it would be my cup of tea. 'The Walking Dead' though was one of those gradually getting through the episodes over-time experiences but at its best it proved to be extremely addictive which is why it was a shame that Seasons 7 and 8 were such a let down.

For me Season 5, regarding the first five seasons, began the most consistently quality-wise, none of the previous seasons had equally brilliant first three episodes, that are up there with the most gutsy and powerful episodes of the show, like Season 5 did. 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, though the show is so much more than that, could be made when so many films have tried and failed abysmally to do so. The season after the third episode did dip a bit in terms of quality, though the drop was not a drastically big one. "Slabtown" and "Self Help" had a lot of great merits but underwhelmed a bit while "Consumed" while not a return to form was a step up.

As far as the episodes up to this point of Season 5 go, "Crossed" is in the middle for me. Not in the same league as the first three episodes, a step down from "Consumed" and has a slight edge over "Slabtown" and "Self Help". Other episodes do a much better job progressing/advancing the plot and providing guts and thrills, "Crossed" (with the whole cast appearing this time after a few episodes where focus was put on a small group of people) is something of a setting things up episode but mostly it does a good job in this respect. It's an uneven episode where some parts work better than others, but mostly it's well done.

Did find the Father Gabriel subplot a little tedious and over-stretched which made for some uneventful stretches, while appreciating the development to Gabriel.

Not all the dialogue was perfect either, some of it in the water creek subplot is somewhat rough, neither natural or thought-provoking.

Everything else however is terrific. "Crossed", like all the episodes before it, is superbly made. It has gritty and audacious production design, visuals that are well crafted and have soul rather than being overused and abused and photography of almost cinematic quality. The music is haunting and affecting, without being intrusive.

There is a lot of thought provoking writing and emotion. There is subtle tension and emotional power, namely in the Atlanta subplot, and some great character development that feels advanced rather than reiterated or going in circles. It is an example of an at times light-in-action, not exactly progressive (the hospital subplot, the most crucial in terms of the story development, excepting) episode working well mostly and that 'The Walking Dead' can do them well, never do expect non-stop action from the show because it excels even more at world immersion, character building/development and interaction, all three of which "Crossed" excels very well in.

"Crossed" is directed with control on the most part and the acting all round ranges from very good to outstanding. Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus are their usual excellent selves.

Summarising, well done if not completely successful. 7/10 Bethany Cox