The Walking Dead - Season 4 Review

My Votes:

1. Excellent.

2. Season 4.

3. Yes - He Should Be The Showrunner For A Long Time.

 

Quick thoughts on season 4:

 

- The writing, dialogue and story's for the characters have been a lot better!

 

- I thought the first 5 episodes were really good, the illness, Carol killing Karen&David etc...

 

- I LOVED The Governor's comeback, it was epic at the end of episode 5. Episode 6 & 7 were brilliant and Too Far Gone was my favorite TWD episode of all time. So the first half was brilliant overall.

 

- The second half of the season was really good, it was unique, we got to learn a lot about the characters.

 

- I really liked Still.

 

- The Grove and A were epic.

 

- Overall, The Walking Dead is much better with Scott Gimple in charge.

 

My Top 5 Episodes:

1. Too Far Gone.

2. The Grove.

3. A.

4. Internment.

5. Live Bait.

 

Also, what was your favorite half of season 4? 

- Mine would be the 1st half, episodes 1-8. Only just though!

It had its moments but overall it was pretty disappointing

Comic spoilers:

 

Im happy with Scotty, i think hes doing a great job... The whole issue with Beth and Darryl annoyed me though... it was so lame... 

 

And for me Season 1 still trumps the rest, probably because it was my first taste of TWD and i was hooked then and there... 

Good season, but it had some faults. I do think it's the best season, though, and I think Scott Gimple should stay as the showrunner.

Season 5 looks to be great though, here's hoping.

My only issue this season was that the scenes with Daryl and Beth could have covered 1 episode.  They dragged their 'would be drama' out too long and it just didn't connect for me so it became boring.  It became reminiscent of season 2 at the farm where they seemed to need filler..well then show more of Rick's group.  Otherwise the season was excellent for me. I was very impressed in the beginning episodes with the virus and ending episodes.  I very much like when I'm on the edge of my seat screaming at the t.v. or nervous for the group..that's how it should be..he's doing a very good job.

Overall a pretty good season with some very weak spots, I really liked the first half (but too much Governor-centric stuff) and the very end had me on the edge of my seat, but could have done without most of the second half of the season except The Grove and A, the rest of the episodes could have all been condensed rather than drug out as they were.   I think The Grove is the single best episode of the series so far. 

 

I know I am in the vast minority but I loved season 3.

 

I like Gimple I think he is going in the right direction with a longer plan, but I prefer differences from the comics so it is not predictable and I didn’t like the bottle episodes very much so time will tell how I really feel about how he is leading the show, we will see next year where we end up, it’s hard to really say until then.   

ph level jose, is there anything you didn't like about season 4? Just curious.

 

 

This season felt pretty average to me. The five episodes of sickness went absolutely nowhere. The only reason I can see it as having any importance is to create an opportunity for carol to kill karen and have tension between ty and carol for 9 episodes. The Gov episodes were a complete waste of time, imo. We already knew he was evil. Didn't need two episodes of this guy. I think the lack of Rick in the back half was a mistake. I understand they wanted to develop the rest of the cast, but I feel they went a bit overboard. The more I think about it, the more episode 12 was completely unnecessary for the story. Normski seems like a cool dude and his character is loved by many, but the guy gets too much screen time. I feel like his story has been told. For me, the pieces started falling into place on epis 14-16. I started thinking "yeah, those episodes were pretty good." I'm not super excited cannot wait for season 5, but i'll definitely tune back in.

 

 

I think Gimple is a very capable and intelligent writer. I don't necessarily enjoy all of his ideas, but the state of the show is in much better shape than it was in s3. 

 

 

Oh yeah...

 

My votes

 

Fair

Season 2 (yup, ya'll can smd)

I hope he sticks around until the show ends

My votes

- Fair

- Season 1

- He's a Good showrunner but he must improve quite a bit.

 

Honestly, this season was ok. Didn't live up to the hype that was put around it, and Season 1 is and probably will be the best season of this show until it's over, for me at least. Gimple's an ok showrunner, but I still much prefer Frank Darabont. IMO, Gimple is a better writer then he is showrunner, but anything is better then Mazzarra at this point.

 

Two episodes that I really enjoyed were "Internment" and "After", the rest was alright and not that great. Still better then what Mazzarra gave us though. I'll tune into Season 5 because there isn't a whole lot to do on Sunday nights.

After season 3 finished airing I thought it was easily the best season. It was awesome. The Prison? The Governor? Awwww Yeah.
But then when I rewatched it during my run through the series after Too Far Gone aired....it's a pretty eh season. My judgement at the time was clouded by said Governor and Prison. Being unbelievably excited by the fact that the show was finally at my favorite part of the comic allowed me to let quite a lot of things slide. So yeah, in retrospect, not as great as I remembered.

Which leads me to Season 4. I have the same feeling for this season as I did the last season when it wrapped up; Easily the best season.. The difference being, I feel that opinion wont change during a rewatch. I've seen most episodes of this season at least 2 times, and I still like just about all of them. (except Inmates. Eugh...)

Really like how Gimple is attempting to flesh out the characters. The best example being Michonne, who has completely changed since season 3 (and for the better), and his attempts at adapting more scenes from the comic while not making the show a straight panel to screen adaptation.
And as stated in another thread, I really like the music used this season, both original and otherwise. 

The season of course had it's faults. The sickness was bordering on lasting too long, the show could have benefited from one more Governor episode to help his struggle with his inner demons actually feel like more of a, well, struggle. Some dialog is still iffy and the awful first 15 minutes of Still. But other than that, I loved, loved, loved the season. 

 

Helps that it has 4 of my favorite episodes of the series:
-Live Bait (after a lot of thought, yeah, this is my favorite episode of the entire series)

-Too Far Gone
-The Grove
-A

 

It also has some of my favorite cold opens as well:
-Farmer Rick and Zombies at the start of 30 Days Without Incident
-The Governor's mindless wandering in Dead Weight 

- Bob's life before the prison in  Alone

 

So yeah. Yay Season 4

The worst part of season 4 was that Governor didn't die in Season 3, It ruined the storyline Imo. They had to cram in those Governor episodes which made the illness arc feel like it was pointless. Then the second half was pretty awesome but could have been condensed down so the finale didn't leave to many loose ends. But overall this season did a good job after the midseason finale and was able to return the show to its roots and make it feel like the comic again. But with so many mistakes from season 3 moving into season 4 I felt it was the only thing holding it back from being the best season yet.

Best thing this season was I didn't feel annoyed with any of the characters they all interested me. Beth was the only character I disliked in the one episode where she needs a drink but she was less annoying then she’s ever been.

I loved and was hooked-- big time- on Season One.

 

 I really liked Season Two, even though it had some slow moments, because the Rick/Shane/Lori story was complex, because I loved Shane, and because it had so many terrifying and dramatic episodes (Carl getting shot; Shane shooting Otis to safe him; BARNAGEDDON!!!--the single best episode in the series.)

 

In S3, I hated the "drag" of the Governor story but loved Michonne, loved Clear.  

 

In S4, I hated-hated-hated "Farmer Rick"" and was glad to see the flashbacks placing part of the blame on "beloved" Hershel who Rick in his weakness deferred to.  I hated the pukie, lamie so-called "character development"  of Beth, Darryl and love sick 15-year old Maggie and Glenn.   I liked the introduction of Abraham Ford, Rosita and Eugene.   I loved the Lizzie-Karen/David-Carole-Tyrese story; I liked the sickness story;  and I loved the Grove.    I loved the first half of the last episode where Rick finally manned up to where he was in Season 1.     (I've given up on expecting Rick to prepare for anything-- like he should have been watching out for whether anyone was following after Joe's group, should have done an adequate scouting of Terminus -- that's just Rick. )

 

Going forward, I would love to see Rick get a character who is not a kiss-a$$ (and it is not that I dislike Daryl (because I do like him),  it is that character Darryl does not fill in for Rick's weaknesses and the writers have even neutred Michonne, who might otherwise fill in for Ricks poor judgment and carelessness (like inadequate scouting, lookouts, etc).

I voted for Good with some critiques; Season 1 and Keep Gimple as showrunner for a few years. I preferred the second half of the season a bit better than the first half of S4 (mainly because I could've done without TG wondering around for one of the shows and was a bit tired of the illness for so long).

Critiques overall: I am tired of the dumbing down of characters at this point in za (not closing cell doors for protection even after everyone started dying from the flu Herschel still had to tell them to close their cell doors - that was just annoying). Lack of planning by counsel was also something that was unbelieveable (okay everyone get to the bus if TG comes and or a herd takes over but they don't have a plan as to where to go from there - also annoying). Lack of communication still not happening between characters (ala Daryl Beth is just gone speech). AS for the episodes I feel several could've and should've been condensec together where your not left wondering for 3 or 4 shows about the other groups wondering the countryside (ie. Rick's group and Carol's group). To me they wasted 2 eps on TG when it could've be condensed down to 1.

I think Gimple and the writers did a good job and especially since most of the main characters are still alive. Even though we lost Herschel he went out as a loved trooper. I liked a good bit of the character development and the funnier moments worked in here and there. I liked the moral dilemma aspects we were presented with in Carol and Lizzie as well as the rest of he group when TG came calling. The theming aspects worked well throughout the season. I am looking forward to Season 5 and will be looking to see how the show will get tweaked from the prior seasons.

My votes

- Fair

- Season 1

- He's a Good showrunner but he must improve quite a bit.

 

Honestly, this season was ok. Didn't live up to the hype that was put around it, and Season 1 is and probably will be the best season of this show until it's over, for me at least. Gimple's an ok showrunner, but I still much prefer Frank Darabont. IMO, Gimple is a better writer then he is showrunner, but anything is better then Mazzarra at this point.

 

Two episodes that I really enjoyed were "Internment" and "After", the rest was alright and not that great. Still better then what Mazzarra gave us though. I'll tune into Season 5 because there isn't a whole lot to do on Sunday nights.

couldn't have said it better myself.

I say keep Gimple as the show runner. He has some ideas. Let him at least try them out. See how he is planning out the story.

Well. I say i liked this season. Was good. Something like 8.7. And i guess it's quite good in today's TV.

I liked the character development episodes except those of The Governor.
I liked the Beth-Daryl duo.
The illness time period was fine. But i felt it was a bit too dragged along.
The farmer rick was irritating but essential. He felt his decisions weighing on him. He needed a break, from all the responsibility.


I really don't remember the episodes name. Though i liked Tyresse and Carol one.
The one in which Abraham Ford was introduced.
A.
And the one in which Michonne found Rick and Carl.


Very hopeful for Season 5

Voted Good, Season1 and Gimple should stay a long time.

The first half easily outclassed season1 IMO excluding the episode indifference. There was so much happening, and plenty of development went to characters who desperately needed it and also focused on the newer characters. Best moment in this half is hard to decide, so a tie between Maggie saving Hershel from the mask walker and Michonne breaking down in front of Judith.

The second half just stalled and dragged out endlessly for no reason whatsoever. Still is the worst episode in the entire series, and featured characters I'm not even interested in. Beth, eww just go away. Daryl's just bland. The Grove, A and Claimed were diamonds though in the rough.

Best character in this season would be either Maggie or Michonne. Both have the potential to be leading females (I think that position belongs to Carol, who's done a great job so far).

Worst character would be the obnoxious Beth. A weak actress who can't act her way out of a wet paper bag. She should have died at the prison taking

Loved the theme of can you come back from the things you've done. You could tell it really drove some of these characters. Much better handled than the theme of "fight the dead, fear the living" of season3 because it wasn't shoved down our throats every five seconds.

Loved the subtle hints such as the painting referring to Lizzie and Mary, "We've all got jobs to do", the flowers and Bob's bottle of alcohol playing an important factor in Glenn's escape from the prison.

The Illness saga hasn't been explored before in the TwD saga and I loved every minute of it.

Interment was the best episode of the season and series. It also made me root for a Rick/Maggie relationship lol.

And I hope Gimple stays on because I have Faith he has great things planned ahead. And I don't think the show can survive if another show runner is axed. That's three too many.

Season1's still the best for being true to the comics (excluding the awful CDC episode). Season4 is close to it though, with season2 behind it. Season3 is the worst. If Season4 had kept it's quality of the likes of Internment and the Grove consistent, it would be better than 1.

I think the show should not follow the comics. It can have some elements and some arc. But can be in itself an another story.

I think the show should not follow the comics. It can have some elements and some arc. But can be in itself an another story.

Why not? I've loved the show so far (and hated it at the same time. It's a complicated relationship) but the comics are far superior. They capture the true essence of what's it like to live in the zombie apocalypse. In the TV show, I can easily predict who's going to stay alive and who won't be killed off. I've only been wrong once with Andrea. And some of the sets look too "clean" and organised (such as the houses that don't gather dust) but I understand there is a budget restraint. They're too afraid to go that one step closer to make it feel like a zombie apocalypse.

I started reading the comics. I liked them. But then i thought that if i continued, they might in some way ruin my fun.

But as for your reply. I am not that a freal about details. That everything has to be spot on apocalyptic. I am really happy with their world right now.
And we have the comics. We can see how differently the TV story line could go.

I started reading the comics. I liked them. But then i thought that if i continued, they might in some way ruin my fun.
But as for your reply. I am not that a freal about details. That everything has to be spot on apocalyptic. I am really happy with their world right now.
And we have the comics. We can see how differently the TV story line could go.

You should keep reading. They really are a blast, and I still do love the TV show don't get me wrong.

But to meet it just feels watered down when they shy away from doing controversial stuff. I'm not one for being controversial for the sake of being controversial, but most of the controversial things that occurred in the comics really added to the story and the characters.

And I'm all for change but some of the things they've changed have really missed the mark. I like the characters of Maggie and Hershel better than the comics (but Maggie is still my favourite in the comics so that should tell you something) but they are characters that are just frankly appalling in the tv compared to the comics (Andrea). It just depends on how well they execute it I suppose.

I started reading the comics. I liked them. But then i thought that if i continued, they might in some way ruin my fun.
But as for your reply. I am not that a freal about details. That everything has to be spot on apocalyptic. I am really happy with their world right now.
And we have the comics. We can see how differently the TV story line could go.

Yeah you've got it all wrong my friend. The comics are the real deal. Not made for TV nonsense. I just recently read through the comics and when I was done I just started back at the beginning and read through them again. It's Robert Kirkman's vision. AMC suits have a big say on what happens in the show and you can tell. The show is now just a bonus for me. The more Walking Dead the better.