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The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (2024)
Disappointing, but no surprise at this point
For AMC's cash cow, it's baffling why they don't hire proper talented writers/directors as they did with the first season.
Given how long TWD dragged on, being practically b-rate script-wise in the later half, you'd have thought they'd have breathed new life into these spin-offs, but nope. They're mostly the same tripe but with more impressive production. They have a different feel to the original show, but I don't know whether that is a good thing or not. They've had moments where they've been good, just a shame they couldn't keep that throughout an entire episode.
Oddly, despite it being rated the least, I think I favour Dead City the most so far.
It is a little too early to judge The Ones Who Live properly, so I will update after the last episode. But for now, I am not overly impressed story-wise.
For a story that centres around two lovers, I don't truly buy their love. They're good together, just not as lovers. It feels corny and forced.
This series is "fine" and given that I only have 3 episodes to go I'll continue it, but it is far from great or good even. Don't get me wrong, it isn't bad by any means, the actors are good, but it isn't anything special unfortunately. Much like the previous spin-offs, there's some good stuff sprinkled throughout. I liked Matthew Jeffers as Nat and Craig Tate as Donald Okafor for example.
Apparently according to one reviewer--if you give this a 6 it just shows "how jealous, miserable and sad you are" Really? I am only 3 episodes in but this a 7 at the very best. Of course that reviewer gave it a 10/10.... Jealous? Yes, I'm jealous you can enjoy it so much, I wish I could. I really want to like these shows, but they're making it hard for me too.
Giving this show an 8 or above is preposterous. That would pretty much mean it is up there with the all-time greats. Madness. It is fine to have a guilty pleasure show, but don't be silly now. This is far from captivating television, it isn't anything we haven't seen before. The CRM stuff in particular is rather far-fetched and dull at the same time. We've more or less already seen this with the Commonwealth.
Compared to the heyday, TWD "universe" practically has a cult following at this point, which is evident from the 8.9 score with "only" 11K votes. Increase those votes to 200k, and the score would probably 7.5 give or take. The simple reason why the viewing figures dropped for the TWD is the writing, and that still applies today sadly.
Update after ep 6:
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It is actually depressing this is the best they could do. The ending with the family reuniting... When the scene first started I did briefly start feeling emotional, but the more it went on the more cheesy and unnatural it felt. At one point the child actor for RJ even briefly looks at the camera. The music accompanying it as the scene closes is as corny as it gets. Unbelievable that this is what we got. What is just as annoying are the "fans" gushing over this show. Sad.
No wonder AMC has no incentive to hire actual talent when these NPCs are loving this tripe. I suppose it makes sense-- written by NPCs, watched by NPCs.
The flashbacks were just a sad reminder of a better show. Particularly the early ones when Carl was a little child.
If had the choice to go back I wouldn't watch it.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon: Paris Sera Toujours Paris (2023)
That orchestra scene...
This is a harder one to review rating wise because it isn't all bad, but my god what on earth was that?
The first 30 mins give or take are pretty poor to atrocious, particularly the first 15 or so mins, mainly that orchestra scene. It was like something out of the Evil Dead films. Followed by Laurent Carriere (the 12 year old kid) educating Dixon like some Prophet all whilst a French cover of 'The Doors - People Are Strange' is playing. He then later consoles a grieving widow like Jesus.
It is really bizarre stuff.
What are these writers thinking? Are they on drugs?
Yet again the story involves the cliched antagonist story line. They did this in practically every season of TWD, even DC... Only this time it's a woman. The Stéphane Codron "you killed my brother..I must destroy you" trope is very uninspiring too.
That scientistic zombie experiment scene was another slice of cheese.
There's too much unconvincing stuff in this series it seems unfortunately.
Despite the ridiculousness of a fully functioning night club with completely working electricity, nibbles and drinks it did finally start holding my attention a little while before that and from thereon, I wasn't completely zoning out. Maybe I'd just sub-come to the absurdity?
So it isn't all bad, some scenes held my attention, but still...I can't believe people are giving this show 8s, 9s or 10s. Madness. As another reviewer put in the main reviews---fandom blindness is strong with this one.
Weak writing AMC. Please do better for the next season.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (2023)
It has its moments
Update:
My feelings towards the show haven't changed and have dropped if anything. Very formulaic, generic, cliché, unbelievable, silly and utterly disappointing.
I did like Isabelle and her backstory, but grew tired of her by the end. There are some nice scenic shots, and that's about it. This show did nothing for me. I'm baffled that people can actually enjoy this and praise it so highly. Extremely low standards I suppose. Good for them I guess.
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(review based on 2 episodes)
But unfortunately, overall it is only OK.
I kept my expectations quite low--so I was somewhat surprised that the first episode was half-decent. This second episode is worse for me. The writers repeat the same mistakes they did with the TWD. They aim for some grand story, constantly introducing characters, which might work on paper, but the final result doesn't cut it. The show worked best when it was just basic survival with the favourites.
For only an 6 episode season that is called Daryl Dixo,n there is a lot of focus on other characters. I didn't mind/liked Isabelle's backstory/screen time..but the preschool thing with all the kids was extremely corny and unconvincing.
In just two episodes Daryl has made several rookie out-of-character mistakes and has been saved a few times.
It seems to be the better spin-off so far, but that's hardly saying much. Even the main show was B-rate tripe in the later half.
I don't have an issue with subtitles like some mouth breathers seem to. Why would you if you could read?
I'd say it is a mixed bag of bad, OK and good. It has its moments, and production seems higher, but it's still unfortunately pretty stupid overall.
I agree with other reviewers that there's daft plot armour going on and sadly people are blinded by fandom and the higher production quality. If this is an 8, 9, or a 10 what would you rate some of the greatest television of all time? I don't think I could give my all-time favourites a solid 10.
I will of course adjust the review after episode 6.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon: Alouette (2023)
Has its moments...
...but overall borderline bad or only OK at best.
For only 6 episode season there's a lot of focus on other characters. I didn't mind Isabelle's backstory/screen time..but the pre-school thing with all the kids was extremely corny and unconvincing.
In just two episodes Daryl has made two or more rookie (out of character) mistakes and has been saved twice.
Seems to be the the better spin-off so far, but that's hardly says much. Even the main show was B-rate tripe in the later half.
This second episode worse than the first episode. The writers repeat the same mistakes. They aim for some grand story, which might work on paper, but the final result doesn't doesn't fully work.
I'd say it is OK. It has its moments, and production seems higher, but it's still unfortunately pretty stupid overall.
The Walking Dead: Rest in Peace (2022)
Truly atrocious
(I quit this show around season 7 or 8, but came back out of curiosity, and sort of forced myself through a lot of it. It got to a point where I was only watching because I was saying to myself "I've made it this far/it might be good again" The last time I enjoyed it in recent memory was the 6 bonus pandemic episodes in season 10, some of those were quite good in comparison.)
I don't watch a lot of cheese TV---but this season and the finale was some of the corniest b-rate tripe I've seen for a very long time. Truly atrocious.
I also didn't really care for almost any character, and since it was very soppy (not something I have a problem with), it just didn't work at all for me. I was practically emotionless throughout. Cheese fest.
Several months ago I was somewhat looking forward to the (stupidly early announced--before the show is over) spin-offs, partially Rick's... but after the last several episodes and the finale, I don't care anymore. It was just so bad to me.
Edit: Since I don't want to be like those losers giving this a 10/10, in my case the polar opposite a 1--I'll add another star for the workers/actors involved. That and I liked some of the shots/music of Daryl riding his bike.