AMC's The Walking Dead

Absolutely. The show at its best. Didn't need any stunt deaths or heads in jars or war cries. Just solid acting, simple storytelling and a couple characters we care about. Loved this episode in the midst of a weird season. Wasn't expecting it and was a great reminder as to why I started following the show in the first place. Great stuff.

 

Bottle episode.

 

That phrase does not mean what you think that phrase means.

They had to create at least two new sets and bring back an old character who wasn't under contract in order to make this episode.

 

How do you know that? Looked to me like it could have been a re-dress of Woodbury's set. And bottle episodes don't preclude a guest star spot.

It was an OK episode. Good for character development.

 

Agreed. Really well done. I'm not sure if I hope they revisit that particular storyline again or let it just stand as it ended tonight. I'm leaning toward the latter.

 

I suppose it could have been all set at Woodbury. If that was the case, they did a good job.

A lot of people mistakenly use the phrase "bottle episode" for a standalone. Normally, a bottle episode takes place entirely in one or two regularly used sets and doesn't include guest stars or anything like that.

I actually have a love for bottle episodes in general. They force writers to do something creative. In that way, it would make sense if the writers viewed this as a bottle episode.

And this is encouraging: The writer of this episode was Scott Gimple, who takes over for Glen Mazzara as showrunner.

 

I've never heard the phrase bottle episode. What does it mean?

 

The town in last night's episode - part of anyway - I'd bet a million dollars, was also used in scenes from Lawless.

 

Couple things from last night without being too spoilery:

1. I thought they were a lot further from that place than a little supply run.

2. It was obvious who the dude was from his voice the second he appeared.

 

It means you watch too much TV.

 

I would bet a little money -- not much, but a little -- that the set used last night was Woodbury. That was my first thought when they walked on scene...gonna research this at some point today.

 

This site does a pretty good job explaining it.