THE WALKING DEAD “Slabtown” Review

Where has Beth been whilst the rest of the group has travelled to Terminus? Read on to find out.

The official description from AMC:

In this episode, we get to meet a whole group of other survivors, but what looks safe and nice on the outside has a bit of a dark side.

It’s that time of the week again, as yet another episode of The Walking Dead graces our screens. Having mesmerized since the season premiere, Season 5 is quickly reminding us why it’s the must watch show on television, with this current season proving to be better than it’s ever been. The question is however what can the series do now to make things even better? As following the emotional death of Bob, and exciting climax to the Terminus arc, there is a lot to live up to.

It’s all about Beth (Emily Kinney) in this episode as we finally find out where the character has been since being abducted during the latter half of Season 4. Straight from the start there is a feeling that this is aimed at long time viewers of the show, as I feel that people who have just jumped on since the start of Season 5 will find themselves scratching their heads when it comes to understanding the narrative. Despite this there are many intriguing elements on display in this episode, with Matthew Negrete and Channing Powell‘s script allowing a wonderful look into another area of this post-apocalyptic world. It also introduces yet more new characters, with the staff of hospital that Beth finds herself in, and the forced workers allowing for some interesting additions. I did however feel that this new development didn’t quite entice as the introduction of Terminus or Gabriel, with it feeling a rather average addition so far.

Usually there are many great actors to talk about when it comes to The Walking Dead, but in the case of “Slabtown” not so much. Though proving herself to be a solid cast member through the show, having given some wonderful performances, I don’t feel that Emily Kinney has the screen presence to carry an episode, being better used alongside other members of the main cast. Nevertheless she does give a strong performance, with the mixture of soft, and intense tones giving a lot of depth to Beth’s development. The supporting cast were however a mixed bag, as though we got some decent performances, they were generally rather average, with Christine Woods (Officer Dawn Lerner) and Tyler James Williams (Noah) being the only members to stand out.

“Slabtown” is an enticing entry into the new season, and is bound to have long term fans gripped. It is however at the same time a rather average addition to what has been a phenomenal season, with the narrative and character introduction feeling very clammy at times. Still the episode does enough to merit a recommendation, leaving me excited for the next.