The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Review - 8 Ups & 2 Downs From "What We"
Trapped by a storm, Rick and Michonne face each other in a brilliant hour of drama.
Last week's episode of The Ones Who Live ended with a maddening but brilliant cliffhanger after an hour of what can best be described as thriller, and this week the show has returned with its finest chapter yet.
Yes, in classic The Walking Dead fashion, the quality of Rick and Michonne's journey is all over the place. For every dud there's an absolute gem waiting to reignite your attention, and remind you that whilst the franchise has disappointed fans time and time again, it still has the ability to surprise and knock it out the park.
That seems to be the case of "What We," anyway, which (awkward title notwithstanding) is one of the best hours The Walking Dead has given us in years. A high bar? Maybe not, but if you're a long-time fan waiting for some emotional catharsis, you'd better strap in.
After jumping from a CRM helicopter in the middle of a storm, the episode finds Rick and Michonne hunkered down in an abandoned apartment building, where old feelings, big secrets and horrible epiphanies rise to the surface.
Here are 8 Ups & 2 Downs from "What We," with spoilers throughout.
10. Down: Even In the Background, the CRM are Still Boring
Four weeks in, and there's a good chance you're tired of hearing this, but with only two episodes left to go it has to be repeated: The CRM, arguably the great overarching villains of the entire Walking Dead franchise, just aren't that compelling.
As Rick and Michonne try to come up with a plan for their next move, they realise the helicopter they escaped from has crashed, a find that suggests the CRM won't look for them since it looks like they're dead. This belief is supported by the fact another helicopter is one the scene to bomb the crashed chopper, destroying evidence of the CRM's existence.
And that's it. The lack of the CRM this week is merciful, though even in the background their presence looms. Rick is still scared to run home with Michonne, knowing Jadis won't believe they're dead, and he still vaguely wants to "change" the organisation from the inside.
It's all very dull, rendering the big bads of the show more of a plot device than an actual, authentic threat.