The Walking Dead Coverage: Boring and Bloody

Episode Commentary: Bloodletting

While last week’s premiere of the Walking Dead ended on a cliffhanger, the second episode did not have much to offer.

“BloodLetting” was filled with plenty of unrealistic moments, poor writing, and a lack of the signature suspense that the show is known to sustain. The character development was poor and the introduction to several new characters was weak. Overall, this episode was filled with disappointment; it drew more yawns than fright.

It started off with an unusual flashback that was a complete waste of time and poorly executed. While the episode goes back to present time, we see Rick carry his unconscious son, Carl, who was just shot, through a field headed towards a farm house. Shane was right behind them along with Otis who was the hunter that accidentally shot Carl. When they arrived at the house Carl was treated immediately. However, his health is in serious jeopardy. Without the proper equipment needed for the doctor to perform the surgery, something needs to be done quickly. While Rick constantly gives Carl blood because they have the same blood type, Shane and Otis must go get the proper supplies at the nearest hospital which is several miles away.

Meanwhile, back in the woods, the rest of the gang is still on the search for Sophia and on the highway, T-Dog’s condition gets worse and Dale tries to calm him down and figure out a way to find antibiotics to bring his fever down. Andrea, on the other hand, runs into a walker and almost gets herself killed. Her character thus far has stooped to an all time low, as she is stumbling through the woods, tripping on the floor and is just all out clumsy. She doesn’t care about life or death and at this point, is the complete opposite of her character from the comic, who was assertive, tough and focused.

The way she was rescued was extremely cheesy as Maggie, on a horse, took out the walker. How she knew where everyone was and was able to find them so quickly is by far the most unrealistic part of this episode.

While Shane and Otis head to the hospital, they encounter a bunch of Walkers. They distract them for short amount of time to get into the hospital to get their supplies, but when they leave, a huge problem occurs. Let’s just say this is not good news for Rick and his family, because time is really against them now.

This episode was one of the weakest throughout the entire series thus far. The story line is moving very slowly and the Sophia disappearance is a complete waste of time. You might even say it should not have happened in the first place. The story line with Carl might seem to contain some suspense, but it probably won’t be the main focus for long.

As for the rest of the characters and their small plot lines, it doesn’t seem to draw much intensity as it should. Plain and simple, the direction season two has gotten off so far is boring.