The Walking Dead Ep 12 - Clear - Review

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The Walking Dead Ep 12 - Clear (262 )

What did you think of the show?

  1. Excellent (218 [83.21%])

    83.21%

  2. Good - Some Critiques (30 [11.45%])

    11.45%

  3. Fair - Not What I Expected (9 [3.44%])

    3.44%

  4. Poor (5 [1.91%])

    1.91%

#51
vampirebat

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This episode was beautifully written, and I can not express the joy I have right now after watching that episode.

Lennie James' amazing acting aside, we finally saw a well mapped out episode that devoted time to the characters and showed how they were progressing instead of developing the next drama storyline.

This is an apocalypse people are dying everyday, and this episode reminded us of that. It reminded us of the loss that is accumulating.

if this is what we should expect from now on, with Scott Gimple writing this episode and becoming new show runner, I can not freaking wait.
  • 2

#52
Deadpelican

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Such an awesome episode

If Clear and 18 Miles Out are anything to go by, then Season 4 is in good hands


Both of them episodes with Mazzara as show runner and he's gone in season four.

This episode was beautifully written, and I can not express the joy I have right now after watching that episode.

Lennie James' amazing acting aside, we finally saw a well mapped out episode that devoted time to the characters and showed how they were progressing instead of developing the next drama storyline.

This is an apocalypse people are dying everyday, and this episode reminded us of that. It reminded us of the loss that is accumulating.

if this is what we should expect from now on, with Scott Gimple writing this episode and becoming new show runner, I can not freaking wait.


I thought Gimple has been on the writing staff for a while now? He's not show runner until season four, or so I thought.
  • 0

Shield yourself from those not bound to you by steel, for they are the blind. Aid them when you can, but lose not sight of yourself. 


#53
SteadyEddie

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Powerful episode. Best of the season, one of the best of the series so far.
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#54
backwoodsroamer

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In my opinion easily the best episode since "Days Gone Bye." Acting and dialogue was superb. This episode shows what The Walking Dead can be when it all comes together and meshes.
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#55
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Both of them episodes with Mazzara as show runner and he's gone in season four.


The point is that they were written by Scott Gimple.
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#56
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In my opinion easily the best episode since "Days Gone Bye." Acting and dialogue was superb. This episode shows what The Walking Dead can be when it all comes together and meshes.


Yes! Not only Lennie James acting but all the small details like the lone hitchhicker, to the sign for Erin and the walker with the Erin braclet. Well done.
  • 3

#57
vampirebat

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.



I thought Gimple has been on the writing staff for a while now? He's not show runner until season four, or so I thought.


he was credited as writing this episode, and he will be showrunner and i was just expressing my joy with his work on this episode
  • 0

#58
Dr.ChimRitchels

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"The mat said 'Welcome'..." lol!
The lighter side of Michonne, crazy Morgan, sane Rick, big brother Carl, awesome zombie traps, and a hitch-hiking backpack...There are so many things I loved about this episode- definitely, the best of the season so far. Holy cow, the acting chops on Lenny James. He's sleeping, then he's attacking, then he's broken, and crying, then he's RAGING, then he's friendly, "Oh, hey! I know you!", then he's RAGING, then he's sad...
I was kinda looking forward to seeing zombie-Duane, but Morgan's monologue was so moving, and powerful, I wouldn't change a thing. Very well done.
Hope that's not the last we see of him.

  • 2

#59
Gates1986

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Morgan's traps were very interesting in this last episode. I wonder if Rick's group will develop some of their own at the prison? I think that would be pretty interesting. It was obviously working for Morgan.
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#60
Bro

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Bold statement, but I'm going to flat out say it.

This episode rivals the pilot for my favorite episode.

Why, well a lot of it is because the episode was a mirror to the pilot in many ways. Essentially all Rick-focused (which is one thing S3 has been lacking), it goes back to where it all began, but this time the roles are reversed, and Rick is now the one who has it all figured out, where Morgan is the "clueless"(for lack of a better word) one who is in need of help.

It shows how two people who are both fathers starting from a similar place can go in such different directions. I was in tears listening to the story about Duane.

The show also spends a lot of time showing exactly what the world has become, with a guy like Morgan, who was a super nice guy before, becoming that. Also the scenery was incredible.

It also finally gave Michonne that episode that she really needed to show some character in a very likable way.

It gave closure for Rick, and allowed him to finally start getting over his mental issues.

Lastly, it showed that Carl still has his humanity, despite beig very cold this whole season.


Sorry for terribly written post, from an iPod.
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#61
Judari

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Yes! Not only Lennie James acting but all the small details like the lone hitchhicker, to the sign for Erin and the walker with the Erin braclet. Well done.


I didn't catch the walker with the Erin bracelet! How cryptic! How I'd miss that?! But I agree those extra subtleties really pulled the show in together this time. We did come full circle with Morgan so it helped, but I don't think TWD episode has felt so complete for a while.
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#62
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Too tired to say much..I did really like this episode, it absolutely flew by for me. I wish they could get Lennie James full time, because he would be one of the very best on the show, and would bring so much to it. His scenes are riveting and moving, and heck, we haven't even seen him since season 1 and he instantly made me feel for him! That's acting. The episode had a season 1 feel to it to me, and that's a good thing. Only thing missing was fear.

Loved the whole hitchhiker scene, really illustrates how much the group has changed, Rick in particular. And I agree with those who said that Carl is toughened, but not totally hardened. Of anyone, he looked the most willing to stop for the hitchhiker, wanting to see his old house, getting the stuff for Judith, etc. Michonne grew on me a bit, I kinda liked her deadpan, grumpy faced look, especially when she was saying stuff like "the mat said Welcome" Anyway, goodnight!
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#63
Deadpelican

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The point is that they were written by Scott Gimple.


Oh okay.

Of the two episodes I prefer 18 Miles Out because it was full of characters we'd spent plenty of time with.

Tonight's episode was well-written and constructed, but we haven't seen Morgan for more than a year and I tend to care more about what's going on with the series regulars.

Was interesting to see what he'd been up to though and Michonne's development was great.
  • 0

Shield yourself from those not bound to you by steel, for they are the blind. Aid them when you can, but lose not sight of yourself. 


#64
ApexPredator

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This episode was beautifully written, and I can not express the joy I have right now after watching that episode.

Lennie James' amazing acting aside, we finally saw a well mapped out episode that devoted time to the characters and showed how they were progressing instead of developing the next drama storyline.

This is an apocalypse people are dying everyday, and this episode reminded us of that. It reminded us of the loss that is accumulating.

if this is what we should expect from now on, with Scott Gimple writing this episode and becoming new show runner, I can not freaking wait.



Perfectly said bro, this shows me that this is a world that's changed. Simple necessities that ere taken for granted gone, and you can see and feel the despair and hope living day to day in a world that survival is the only thing that matters
  • 0
I can't believe you got him! You expert rooting-tooting, eagle-eyed, goth loving marksman! I love it. You managed to find a way to win. And everybody still loses!

#65
badass316

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What did everyone think about the hitch hiker? I don't know why they didn't even consider picking him up since they're short on manpower. The only reason I can think of is if they had already pegged anyone they come across as a potential spy from woodbury.
  • 0

#66
Bronxsta

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Both of them episodes with Mazzara as show runner and he's gone in season four.


Gimple wrote those episodes...and he also wrote Save The Last One and Pretty Much Dead Already.

So yeah Season 4 is in good hands.
  • 3

#67
Bro

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I would also like to add that I absolutely loved the theme of this episode.

This episode basically was Rick's realization of "This is the world now, look around, get used to it". The scenes with the hitchhiker were incredibly minimalistic and very powerful at communicating that point. The stopping and just casually grabbing his supplies at the end was just great. Rick's reaction to the environment was excellent at showing that too, especially when he was in the car.
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#68
Matt

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Gimple wrote those episodes...and he also wrote Save The Last One and Pretty Much Dead Already.

So yeah Season 4 is in good hands.


Couldn't agree more. I was already very optimistic about Gimple, but tonight's episode just sealed the deal.

I have not a single doubt that his direction will be an improvement over Mazzara's.
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#69
Creeper

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I have not a single doubt that his direction will be an improvement over Mazzara's.


I certainly have hopes for Gimple, but I would wait until he is actually showrunner before deciding what his real mark on the show will be. Writing well is great, but there are a lot more things in a persons control as showrunner than that, and we'll just have to wait and see how capable he is of being the puppet master.
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#70
Deadpelican

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I certainly have hopes for Gimple, but I would wait until he is actually showrunner before deciding what his real mark on the show will be. Writing well is great, but there are a lot more things in a persons control as showrunner than that, and we'll just have to wait and see how capable he is of being the puppet master.


Yeah I feel the same way.

I don't know for certain how this business works, but moving up the ladder usually means that someone else takes over your old job. Will that be the case when Gimple becomes show runner?

The complaints this season have been about the writing.

Gimple is a great writer, but will he still be writing when he becomes show runner?

I'm guessing no.

This was a great episode with Mazarra as show runner and Gimple as writer.
  • 0

Shield yourself from those not bound to you by steel, for they are the blind. Aid them when you can, but lose not sight of yourself. 


#71
DeadCave

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I was moved by James' performance and actually started to tear up a bit. Really made me feel sorry for him. Having had so much and lost so much. Seeing his wife kill their son, (so much red, red everywhere) and then the madness of putting his boy down himself. Part of me would've gone ahead and shot him to put him out of his own self-contained misery. A man can only endure so much grief, so much madness. But another part agrees with Rick... that he can come back from it. Rick seems to be doing just that.

Good episode indeed. Nice small touches as noted by the other posts (hitchiker, Erin, et al.).
Part of me was thinking damn, there goes Carl again. He was lucky that Michonne tagged along against his wishes. The walker under the bar would've had his guts for garters if she hadn't been there.
Part of me would've burnt down the cafe afterwards if anything to save Morgan the hassle of putting them down himself.

Damn Morgan must've been very busy indeed collecting all those weapons and ammo.

BTW because someone asked, Morgan got loose from the bed because he grabbed the knife he had hidden in the frame and cut himself loose.

Good episode and a nice change of pace from Woodbury and the Prison. At least they got what they came for and Daryl is gonna be a very happy camper with a new crossbow and bolts. Merry Early Christmas Daryl.
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#72
Sonaliegh

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Great episode! They've finally given Michonne some damn character development. Not only that but she had a personality and showed... dare I say... an array of emotions. Loved her bonding with Carl and opening up to Rick. And did a see a bit of chemistry between her and Rick there? Just sayin'.

Also enjoyed Morgan's return and how his spiral into insanity was the needed push to get Rick out of his funk. It was like holding up a mirror to himself. I think that interaction is what really snapped him out of his insanity.
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#73
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did anyone notice when rick Carl and michonne were driving out of town they were moving and the speedometer read 0 . (nit pick) I just thought it was funny.
  • 0

#74
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best episode since Season 2 mid-season finale IMO.
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#75
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EXCELLENT EPISODE from beginning to end. Loved how the intro featured the backpack man desperately running after Rick and crew for help, along with the sign left for "Erin". A great juxtaposition there about how things have changed. Once Rick would have stopped and helped the backpack man, just as he stopped and helped so many others, and how he was helped himself by Morgan when the story began. But now, help is not given...and a bit of the "humane part of humanity" is lost in the new Z-world. Now instead of seeking out others to bond together against the walkers - it's clearly every man for himself. (That is, unless you have something substantial to offer someone else - like Tyreese and crew offering to fight for the Governor). It's a far cry from season one where people went out of their way helping other people (Morgan helping Rick, Glen helping Rick when he was stuck in the tank, Rick helping Morgan with the guns, Vatos helping the elderly, etc). Now things are a lot colder. Nobody helps ANYONE if they don't have something to gain - even our once warm-hearted ragtag crew of surviviors.

The sign left for Erin that her pals tried for Stone Mountain was very reminiscent of the sign and food left for Sofia in Season 2. And just like Sofia, Erin didn't make it on her own - nor did the hitchhiker.

LOVED LOVED LOVED Michonne opening up. The welcome mat and tacky cat statue comments made my week. <3
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