O.k I know I'm pushing the bar of what could be classed as horror again, but hey I am aware, besides that's simply my taste, as anyone who follows the blog will know. I do plan on writing a piece maybe, at a less hectic time, about this debate regarding what fits into a perceived genre divide (and I did have a very stimulating phone conversation with Mr B about it just this weekend). Ultimately though, my blog, my rules (well our blog but I did actually verify the validity of reviewing this here and my co-author agreed, it's also a piece which brings back great memories of the two of us reviewing the show and debating via text message last year before we ever had a blog).
Back to the show, and we pick things up a little slowly. The disparate group are still inexplicably held together (an annoying factor which, along with the perceived rank structure is never explained) but have now lost their de facto leader, hauled off by shady types, admittedly this seems like a huge cliche but this plotline points to some really intriguing sci-fi/cult bizarre and possibly cool story possibilities. Nice hints of a broader canvas than the dramas the show specialises in, let's just hope it's not a mislead and that the plot involving Abby focuses more on this and less on the morally dubious "we have to kill her to save others" stuff, though that could work to if done well enough.
In the immediate present the main conflict of the week started out as the focus to save Greg, shot by the mysterious agent-types at last seasons' close, here we see some really intriguing (and brilliantly directed) flashbacks which reveal more about this man's particular character then the whole of last season, as well as clarifying his position regarding the other members (father figure who hates the violence he sees within Tom). More of this for every cast member would be greatly appreciated.
As I said this started out being the major plot but that quickly became an attempt to save Anya and Al, who had run off to a hospital to get things to treat Greg and got trapped under collapsing rubble. It was explained in the show, and there was a reason for it, but yes this particular plot, and the rescue attempts it spawned, were as cliche and ludicrous as they sound, though it did give us a couple of great character moments from the two trapped individuals again, Anya showing her vulnerability and Al getting what could have been a cheesy line but here was pitched perfectly to be ptentially the highlight of the episode ("I'd like to be in love. I think I'd be good at it").
Let me sidetrack here to say that it seems quite weird seeing these people in a major city, and harder to pull off the suspension of disbelief required that so few people are left alive in the world,they really must highlight the weirdness of abandoned suburbia rather than having dozens of people appear, it harms the shows central premise. And whilst we're on the subject what were the odds that the major villian, who made a point of this world being every man for himself, having two perfectly stereotypical bouncers to back him up? Little niggles can sometimes bug me.
And that brings me to the real dramatic meat of the episode, as Sarah basically had to prostitute herself, leading to the most horrific situation, to redeem herself for her misgivings last season. I hope this isn't forgotten and the extreme ramifications and injustice of this are dealt with, as it is this is potentially combustible territory, but thought provoking and that's what hooked me on this show in the first place.
Overall then, a good start. Lots to build on, plenty has me very excited. Still lots to chew over and talk about, plus things to get you thinking. And we end on something which I have personally wanted to happen long ago, Tom has to admit to being a killer and we can now see how the group fares without him, introducing whole new questions. It's good to have the show back, I shall definitely be tuning in next week but let me say great acting from the usuals (Zoe Tapper and Paterson Joseph especially), though sadly still not from Julie Graham (bad casting as the show's lead) or some of the guest stars, plenty of great scenes among some annoying things but they seem a bit nitpicky. My score?
**** (4/5)
MM
Next week's thought: Does violence beget violence or is it necessary in a world where only the strong will survive?
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