Advertisement

Walking Dead season 8 a 'return to form', says critics

Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC
Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC

From Digital Spy

It's All-Out War, and if critics are to be believed, it seems like The Walking Dead is firing on all cylinders once again.

After a divisive seventh season, reviews for the season eight premiere (which is also the 100th episode overall) titled 'Mercy' are largely positive, declaring it a 'return to form'.

One review was very critical about it, but the others definitely make for good reading if you're a longtime fan of the AMC show.

Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC
Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC

Check out the critics' reactions below:

ComicBook.com – positive

"While fans have been thirsty for Savior blood since Negan bashed Glenn and Abraham, it's not the gunfire which will leave the crowd satisfied. Instead, it's the returned-to-form Rick Grimes who has an impressive and fun-to-watch swagger through the episode's presumably current timeline, opposite a Negan who is as charismatic and brash as ever – with a surprising touch of reasonable mixed in.

"The Walking Dead is back in form, pairing the explosive battle fans have been yearning for with storytelling devices unlike any used on the series to date."

Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC
Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC

Insider – B+

"The season eight premiere feels very much like an earlier episode of the series. The group is united, reunions are had, your on-screen favourites are seen teaming up and interacting, and a few characters from different communities get to meet for the first time.

"If you've been waiting for Rick to get it together and come down hard on the Saviors, you won't be disappointed. You'll be cheering alongside him. The Ricktatorship is most certainly back, but it has evolved to be wiser, more collected, and to allow other leaders' voices be heard."

Photo credit: AMC
Photo credit: AMC

Forbes – negative

"Once again the show's creators have failed to learn from past mistakes, failed to make significant improvements to the increasingly sloppy writing and plotting, and continue to treat the show's viewers as though we're stupid. Far from a return to the glory days, the season eight premiere is a jarring, confusing mess of an episode, in turns pretentious and mind-bogglingly nonsensical.

"AMC needs to spot this sinking ship before it actually goes under. New showrunners and a team of decent writers are the only thing that can save The Walking Dead from its corpulent self."

Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC
Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC

We Got This Covered – 4.5 out of 5 stars

"For those repulsed and deflated by the horrific deaths and methodical storytelling of last season, 'Mercy' is the perfect remedy – its brisk pacing, big action, and focus on the camaraderie between the Alexandria, Hilltop, and Kingdom survivors makes for super entertaining television which makes you feel good without trivialising the drama.

"After watching an entire season of Negan terrorising Rick and co, it's sheer joy to finally see the bat-swinging bully on the back foot... Now, the stakes have never felt higher, and for a seven-year-old series, that's truly a rarity."

The Walking Dead launches its eighth season on October 22 on AMC in the US and October 23 on FOX in the UK.


Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.

You Might Also Like