The Walking Dead Mid-Season Finale: 3 Ups & 2 Downs From 'Evolution'

2. The Pacing

Considering The Walking Dead has had some huge problems with pacing in the past, the first post-Gimple mid-season finale boasts a significant improvement in this department. Within minutes of the episode's launch, there's an evident tension - specifically in regards to the search for Eugene, which is aided by the unsettling realisation that there's more to this group of nearby walkers than meets the eye.

As the episode progresses, the tension rises - not only for this storyline, but for all of them. There are brief moments of relief for viewers scattered throughout, undoubtedly designed to ease our breathing in preparation for the concluding fight. Having said that, nothing in Evolution verges on boring, which is worthy of praise considering how sluggish the entire seventh and eighth season of the show proved to be.

The final act of Evolution is, of course, when all the hell breaks loose. As Jesus, Daryl, Aaron and Eugene make their way through the graveyard (which, as cliché as it sounds, was a very nice touch, and made for a nice change from the recurring roadside and forest images) everything comes to a head, as our group of survivors come face-to-face with their new enemy for the first time, which makes for a great conclusion.

That is until - in typical TWD fashion - they ruin everything with a contrived death, but we'll discuss that later.