The Walking Dead Season 8: 5 Ups And 4 Downs From 'The Damned'

2. The Action Lacks Punch

The Walking Dead Ezekiel
AMC

Whereas last week the action was exciting - even if still not well shot - this week's is lacking a little punch. The bulk of it comes from the shootout, led by Aaron and Eric against the Saviours - one of whom is built up just to die - and it's disappointingly dull to watch.

While we go back to the scene a few times, the majority of it is just close-ups of people firing guns and little else added to it. There's no intensity to it, no real drama - even when Tobin is shot, it's immediately brushed off and makes no difference - and no fun or suspense in watching it until they start turning into walkers.

The other story strands fare better, and the hazy walker sequence with Ezekiel et al has a bit more life to it, as does Rick's fight in the bedroom, but it's a letdown given these opening episodes were described as being mini-action movies and really going all out.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.