Season 6 was an inconsistent season, generally not near as good as the previous seasons but much better than what was to follow when 'The Walking Dead' felt like a different show altogether. When it was good, it was great with the first four episodes being among the best of the latter seasons and as good as the high points of Seasons 1-5. When it was not so good, while not as bad as the low-points of Seasons 7 and 8, it was frustrating.
As far as the first half of Season 6 goes, there were two episodes that frustrated (well, "Always Accountable" disappointed too but was still a good episode). One was "Now", which was an example of how not to do an episode that didn't really progress anything much. The other is this mid-season finale "Start to Finish". Although it was worse-reviewed, actually still consider it better than "Now", the acting is better here, it is not as much of a standstill episode and there is one scene that is especially done well. Still consider it one of the worst episodes of 'The Walking Dead' up to this point sadly.
There are good things certainly, none of the previous 'The Walking Dead' episodes were irredeemable, and neither is "Start to Finish". It is a typically well made episode, the usual grit in the photography is there and it does well in being atmospheric as well. Some of the direction is alert and accomodating, while the music is suitably haunting and isn't over-bearing.
Felt that Deanna's final scene was handled very powerfully and that it was very poignant. The Carol and Morgan partnering has some nice tension too, mostly because of Carol with the sense of unease with her increasing and it is great to see. The ending did have a promising build up. The acting on the most part is fine.
Did think that Chandler Riggs came over as wooden, and do agree that Sam is pretty annoying in this episode. Also agree about everything with Carl and Ron being very misplaced at innapropriate times, and that it was not very engrossing. Although there were definitely moments the storytelling didn't come to life enough, the pace can be dull, there is a lack of tension and suspense with too many too easy close calls and contrivances (like the wolf) and it also felt thin dramatically and like there was not enough going on.
In spite a promising build up the very end came over as a let down, it doesn't come over as much of a surprise and it felt anti-climactic. There can be too much talk, and sadly the dialogue isn't taut enough and sounded very forced. Did not like how some of the characters are written, with a tendency to behave like idiots making stupid and implausibly clumsy decisions that one does not expect them to make, especially Morgan. The previous episode did so well in progressing the characters and bringing out different sides to them, but they felt dumbed down in comparison here.
Concluding, disappointing mid-season finale. 5/10
